A Doer's Reward

Post date: Mar 25, 2014 1:51:25 AM

You might have noticed that it has been a long time since I last wrote.  My involvement in a totally unrelated matter has stolen both my time and creativity so I have needed to spend the last few weeks restoring my focus. 

2 Timothy 3: 15-17 …And that from childhood you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  

The method that I use to restore my spiritual focus is scriptural meditation. My version of this process involves reading scripture, asking myself questions about those scriptures and then researching to find the answers to my questions. The Holy Spirit partners with me in this process to help me to learn by revealing Gods’ divine truth to me. This system helps me to refocus and through it I have learned and I am now fully convinced that these truths are divinely inspired, so, I willingly change my behaviour to reflect any new understanding that I have learned. 

Romans 10: 9-10 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  

Recently a friend shared with me that he had been born-again. He said that his lifestyle prior to this experience wasn’t reflective of the values that he had learned while attending church as a child. Despite his behaviour, one day to his surprise, God began to speak to him about some personal issues. He was so convinced that it was God who spoke despite his behaviour that he began to serve God with a new conviction. His friends and colleagues, who we have both known for many years, were surprised by his dramatic behavioural change and have since asked me my opinion regarding the genuineness of his conviction. One individual queried, “How about me can I also enjoy a similar experience?” My answer to him and everyone else is an over whelming YES! Psalms 51: 17 states: “My sacrifice is a humble spirit, Oh God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.” It is evident to me that my friend believed that it was God who had spoken to him. He was convicted in his conscience of his unrighteous behaviour and therefore chose to surrender his heart at Gods’ invitation of forgiveness. This genuine divine encounter has changed the course of his life forever.

John 3: 5-7 …Jesus said, most assuredly, I say unto you, unless one is born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born-again”.

My friends’ conversion reminded me of my own salvation experience where God manifested himself to me through a series of unexplainable circumstances. God displayed his spiritual nature to me through these experiences and so, like my friend, I also surrendered my heart to God. My experience was life changing but I also recall that when the encounters temporarily ceased I wasn’t certain whether the God who I had just met would ever return. It was understandable that I was a little confused since I had neither been in relationship with God before nor had I previously been schooled in any spiritual matters. As a child of God I have since learned that God never leaves his children alone but has promised to remain with them despite any feelings that they might have to the contrary. This is one truth that has helped me to anchor my spiritual life confidently in God. The continuous schooling that I have received through the Holy Spirit is far different than any schooling that I have ever received before since I must first believe that the revelations are divinely inspired and also be willing to be obedient to there direction. My obedience helps me to grow both spiritually and mentally.  

John 4:23-24…“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father is seeking such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” 

There is a story in John 9 where Jesus prays for a blind mans’ sight to be restored. Jesus applied mud to the eyes of the man and then instructed him to travel to a different location where he was to wash. Jesus’ instruction seemed a little odd since the blind beggar was to travel without an escort. To his credit, the beggar obeyed Jesus’ instructions and as a result experienced the manifestation of his miracle. The doubting religious authorities who questioned him after receiving his miracle were no match for his enthusiasm. Jesus later searched for the man where He confirmed, encouraged and strengthened him in his new found faith and relationship with God. In a similar manner Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, had also sought me out, following my conversion, to clarify, to teach and to strengthen me in my walk of faith.

James 2: 17….Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Finally, just imagine the result if the beggar, my friend or I had refused to follow the instruction of Jesus. There would be no miracle for us to relate or any hope for you to obtain. Our experiences have occurred not because we are better connected to God than you but rather we were willing, after hearing His word, to step up and to believe its source. It’s now your turn to do the same!