Shortly before his recent death, ex-Beatle George Harrison was asked about his spiritual journey. The question was proper since it was Harrison who introduced the Beatles to Eastern religion in the 60s and (after the group broke up) wrote the song “My Sweet Lord” (a hymn of praise to the Hindu deity Krishna). To the end of his life, Harrison continued to investigate spiritual matters. He summed up his priorities this way: “Everything else in life can wait, but the search for God cannot wait.”
He was correct in that assessment. We are definitely made to INTIMATELY know God, and nothing is more important than seeking forgiveness for our sins and entering into a loving relationship with God. Paul said “I want to do what is good, but I DON’T. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I DO IT ANYWAY…Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will FREE ME from this life that is DOMINATED BY SIN AND DEATH? Thank God! The answer is in JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” (Romans 7:19, 24-25)
We must recognize that we are a sinner, “for ALL have sinned…YOU WERE DEAD in your transgressions and sins…” (Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1) But thank God, “…if we confess our sins to Jesus, He can be depended on to FORGIVE US and to CLEANSE US from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to WASH AWAY OUR SINS.” (1 John 1:9) And what is so absolutely amazing is, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now since we are God’s children, then we are heirs—HEIRS OF GOD AND CO–HEIRS WITH CHRIST…” (Romans 8:16-17)
HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT THINGS WE SHOULD DO TO HELP US STAND,
- PRAY: “…WHEN YOU PRAY, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, WILL REWARD YOU…In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, HALLOWED (hagiazō: consecrate things to God) BE YOUR NAME. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:6,9-13)
- STUDY GOD’S WORD: “STUDY earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING (orthotomeō: to handle correctly) the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) “…SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they THAT BEAR WITNESS ABOUT ME…” (John 5:39)
- ATTEND CHURCH: “In response to all He has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. Let us NOT NEGLECT OUR CHURCH MEETINGS, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of HIS COMING BACK AGAIN IS DRAWING NEAR.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- LIVE RIGHEOUSLY: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, WE SHOULD LIVE soberly, RIGHTEOUSLY, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham