REALITY CHECK

What we as believers need today is a reality check. By that I mean that each one of us need to examine what we believe and why we believe it. We need to realize that we will be held accountable for our beliefs, and whether we live our lives according to what we believe, or not. Many simply accept what others tell them, without ever coming to a firm conviction of whether or not it is truth. If your beliefs are based on hearsay, then you do not have a solid foundation to operate from. It is one thing to hear something with the ears, process it with the mind, and agree or disagree. It is entirely another thing to hear a word with our spirit, and have it pierce your heart, and become part of you. The other thing that we must consider, is who are we hearing? Are we listening to men, or are we listening to God?

Our most basic, fundamental beliefs are the foundation from which we operate in this world. What I have been discovering, is that the Lord is causing me to examine my most fundamental ideas and concepts. There are many basics that we seldom consider, having passed them by long ago. Yet now they are being brought back to the forefront, and re-examined. Why do I believe this? Did I receive it from tradition, or did the Holy Spirit quicken it to my understanding? I don't want to cling to anything that does not come from God. If any of the things I have been taught in the past are off the mark, I want to know. The Lord is even now preparing His Body for what is coming. He is bringing us into right thinking; agreement with Him. Our ideas and imaginings of that which is spiritual are worthless. The only thing that matters is that we come into proper alignment with the Word, and God alone can bring that about. I encourage you to be willing to let go of some of those things that we have been taught in the past; for there is mixture in the teachings we have received. Are we more interested in proving a theological point, or walking in the power of the Spirit? God has called every believer to KNOW HIM. He has made the way, He has given us the tools to be overcomers. It is up to each one of us what we will do with what He has given us.

Our basic beliefs are what need the most attention. Our concepts of:

Who God is?

What does salvation mean, and how is it obtained?

Can I lose my salvation?

What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

What did Jesus teach?

What is sin?

Who is a sinner?

What does God want from and for us?

How do we please God?

How do we take up our cross and follow Christ?

How do we die to our flesh and live by the Spirit?

The list could go on, but these are things that are basic to what we believe. The answers to these questions determine how we live in this world, how we perceive and treat others, and how we grow spiritually. I grew up in church, and absorbed all that I heard and saw. Much of what was presented as truth was true, but much of what I received was error. Good intentioned though it may be, we have all been presented with a mixture of truth and error. It requires the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to discern and reveal that which we should hold on to, and that which we should discard. We are all too familiar with listening to convincing arguments pro and con; either supporting or negating doctrines and theologies. All of man's rhetoric is empty and void of life, yet we listen to and engage in it because we are searching for the truth.

There is one source of life; wisdom; knowledge and understanding; and it is not of this world. To come to the truth requires Faith, Belief, Obedience, and Loving God more than self or the things of this world. I am not here to tell you what to believe, but to point you to God as the source of all life. God alone can reveal Himself to an individual. The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth.

The entire world today is engulfed in spiritual darkness. Throughout the Bible, prophets warned of the darkness that would come. We were born into it, so it seems normal to us. But know this, that it is part of God's great plan. That against this gross darkness, the light of His truth would shine forth in stark contrast.

We do not need more charismatic leaders to rise up. We do not need bigger, more impressive buildings in which to come together. What we need is the revelation of Jesus Christ! What we need is to come to the knowledge of Who is in charge, and to take our appointed place. Because of the darkness, many have lost faith. Many are in unbelief. But at the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the darkness will be dispelled. What is coming is the greatest move of God the world will ever experience. Right now God is reaching out to those with ears to hear. He is stirring their hearts, drawing their inner man, and placing within them a hunger for the things of God that cannot be ignored. This is a most miserable state to be in. Yet it is wonderful at the same time. To be miserable for God, so far exceeds being complacent and lukewarm. There is hope, there is light, there is a vision, there is the unfolding knowledge of our Lord growing within.

Now is the time to prepare. Now while there is still time, we need to examine our beliefs. We need to securely establish our feet on the path our Lord walked. We need to get our eyes on God, and never take them off. The Spirit will show us what we need to do; to change; to embrace and to shun. All of our logic and reason is of no use to us if we would walk as children of the Most High. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. We see here that there is a distinction made if we would be called a son. We cannot walk in a son relationship from our flesh; or our carnal mind. Only as we are led by the Spirit of God, will we find that son relationship. Is it time for a reality check? Is there a great gulf between where we are and where we want to be? Have we accepted that we cannot possess the same walk that the apostle's and prophets had? Why would we believe a lie? God is not dead; or asleep; nor is He turning a blind eye. His Word is just as true today as it ever was. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Are you willing to settle for doctrinal answers, and hope that they're right, or are you ready to go straight to the source? May God give you a personal revelation of Himself. May we know the hope of our calling, and give God's Spirit free reign in our hearts.

Amen

Cathy Morris

03/08/2003



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