Grace For The Journey

The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 30:13 that while in pursuit of the Amalekites, David and his six hundred men came upon an Egyptian and asked him, “To whom do you belong . . .?”

This question is applicable for all of us today

Because our God will tolerate no rival.

There will be no neutralities

When it comes to our

Holy relationship with God;

And so, the question is put before us: “To whom do you belong?”  The Bible knows nothing of the fence-sitting saint.

There are only two answers to this question . . .

1) By natural birth, we belong to the god of this age, who has blinded the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).  As children of Adam, we are sons of Satan.  Adam, who was the federal head of humanity, rebelled against God and brought judgment down on all of his offspring.  We are all born “dead in our transgressions and sins,” following “the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1-2).

But . . .

2) Through a supernatural birth, those who have, by grace through faith, placed their trust in the atoning death of Jesus Christ belong to the Creator / Savor God of the ages.  When we admit that we are sinners,that we can not save ourselves, and accept what Jesus did on the cross and through the empty tomb, we become children of the Most High God, we have been made alive in Christ and we now belong to the family of faith.

So . . . what is your response to this all-important question – “Who do you belong to?”  Your answer will be revealed as people observe the following . . .

What does your heart beat for?

I know the heart beats for a thousand different things, but . . .

What does your heart primarily beat for?

Does it beat for your self

Or for your Savior?

Does it beat for the expansion of your kingdom

Or for the kingdom of God?

Does it beat for success at the expense of others

Or for giving God glory through service?

Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  (Luke 6:45).  When we are born again our heart and nature is changed and we become able to produce good things that will glorify and honor God and benefit others.

What company do you keep?

We live in this world, and we keep company with many who belong to this world. But the deepest understanding of this question is this . . .

Whom do we associate with

Or take delight in the company of?

Is it those who are living for the Word

Or those who live for the world?

The Bible reminded us in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good character.”  Who in your life is shaping your character?

How do you spend your discretionary time and money?

It might surprise you, but . . .

What we do with our discretionary time and money

Goes a long way toward demonstrating whom we belong to.

When we see all that we have as a gift from God,

We will begin to invest more and more of it

In ways that glorify our God.

How we spend our time and money

Expresses our gratitude (or lack of gratitude)

For God’s goodness and care;

And gives us opportunity privately and publicly

To thank God for His faithfulness in the past,

The supply of our provisions in the present,

And our faith in God for our promised future

And the fulfillment of His priorities.

Who do you belong to?  Have you been straddling the fence lately?  What would those closest to you say?  Remember, your life is the only Bible many people around you will ever read.  As they read your life, Who would they say you belong to?

This is God’s Word For Today … This Is Grace For The Journey

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”