"I just think that God is into relationships instead of rules... I don't think if He cares if you smoke, drink or sleep with your girlfriend..." This is what an old acquaintance said to me a while back, and it got me thinking of all the crazy ways I've seen someone come to Jesus. Do the rules really matter... especially in the light of the "liberty" we have in Christ? Was this new life in Christ given just so we could please ourselves?
WHEN my friend told me... "I don't think God cares if you... sleep with your girlfriend", I couldn't help but wonder which girlfriend he was referring to; his present girlfriend, or one of his last girlfriends... or even someone else's girlfriend? I have seen God use or allow some very interesting things to get peoples attention... I just don't think that He wants that to be the "norm" in a relationship with Him. God may give you what you want, only to shock you back into some kind of sanity... showing you how far you've gone.
THERE was a time I have saw someone come to Jesus after praying for drugs... and after getting them, he flushed them and gave his life to Christ. I know of a woman that just had to have someone else's husband... and after getting him, they both repented and gave their lives to God. I heard of someone getting away with a major crime... and again, only to surrender to Jesus and have his life entirely changed. The Bible does say that God will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4), I just wonder if that may be to our benefit or just our judgement. Many people get what they desire, and they couldn't care less who they hurt to get it. Is this true about us?
IF the desires of my heart are wicked... I pray/wish for them, and I get what I want, what does that say about me? If my desire is to do good and likewise pray/wish and am able to do those things that help others... what does that say? I do believe that God will give us what we want, you know the saying... "be careful what you ask for" ...I think that is an accurate warning! Some "Christians" are always bragging about what God has given them in prayer, and what Jesus has blessed them with... all that shows is that God is faithful... and it does not reflect the faithfulness of the recipient at all. Our faithfulness is evident in how we use those things God has entrusted us with... will we "consume them on our lusts" or will we share with the less fortunate?
MY friend also was quite insistent that we need "do nothing" for God... "God needs nothing" and that God is happy to bless us while enjoying our "company" through life. Well, indeed this may be the case... however even Jesus noticed those who returned to thank Him for His miracles in their lives... but He also commissioned them to go into all the world making disciples. What if God, while answering someones sincere prayer, would like us to join Him in that very answer? You see God truly needs nothing, but many call on Him... whom we owe more than just a debt of gratitude.
IS this the gospel message "do what thou wilt"? Or is it "not my will, but thine be done?"
GOD may "reap where He does not plant" ...meaning that God may use even the bad things in life to get our attention, however He is not the producer of that evil. IF God gives you what you want via any means... it could be that He is communicating something important to you... like WAKE UP! If you are getting what you want, and what you want is not good... be afraid... be very afraid! OR if you do have this life's goods and share it not... it could be very revealing...
"BUT if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
(1 John 3:17)"WE who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." (Romans 15:1-4)"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
(John 10:27)
... BELIEVE it! God is speaking all the time, but either we can't or we won't listen. But the greater question may be... what are we communicating back to God?
MANY years ago I had a friend once who bragged that God sold her house. I asked her if He got His commission... to which she was taken back. I have been just as guilty. In my life I have found that it is easier to give my last $20 dollars when it was my last $20 dollars... but I have found it harder to give $10,000 dollars (it was only 10% of one deal I made) when I could have done so very easily. It was even a good cause... but I was too selfish and proud to give humbly, releasing the means to answer others prayers... with no strings attached.
WAS I sending God a message? ...I am only generous when I have little or nothing?
CONSIDER this in the light of what was said so far... what if you have the means to help others, and many let you know it, but you just want to be... LEFT THE HELL ALONE?