Over
ten years ago I found a verse that seemed to make things pretty simple when it
comes to following Jesus. Let me first
remind us that God gives us His grace.
We are saved by what Jesus has done for us and not because of what we
have done or because we are good. We
don’t keep our salvation by doing things.
It is all about trusting God.
The
Bible is our guidebook from God. Within
its pages we learn about God and meet God.
He is the “word that became flesh and lived among us” as it says in John
1. Here is the verse I was referring to:
… the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of
you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
What
does God want us to do? He wants us to
be His people and to lean on Him as we live our lives. That makes lots of sense to me. As we follow Him we will do what is
right. As we get to know Him we will
love mercy and share mercy with others.
As we enjoy each day we are given we will walk humbly with God. That is not legalism. That is grace in it’s purest form.
My
desire is to know God and to follow God.
He wants that for me as well. Our
God is not some cosmic killjoy ready to punish us when we sin. He is our compassion friend ready to hold us
and help us when we do the right thing.
This is a personal and real relationship that changes us as we seek Him. Let’s put a little more understanding with
that verse:
After he has gathered his own flock, he
walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They
won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his
voice.”
6 Those who heard
Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so
he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All
who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen
to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate.
Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and
will find good pastures 10 The thief’s purpose
is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and
satisfying life.
God’s
desire for us is a good life. That kind
of life comes only we follow Him voice.
Following isn’t always easy.
Getting to know His voice changes us.
Getting to know Him leads us to do the right thing, to love what God
loves and to spend time with God. Others
will see a difference in us as they watch us walk humbly with God.
What
does God want from me? He wants me. My life will come into line as I want Him in
return!
NOTE ON OUR back2school
OUTREACH
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