Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

13 January 2024

Reading From Job 35-37

“If you sin, how does that affect him?
    If your sins are many, what does that do to him?
If you are righteous, what do you give to him,
    or what does he receive from your hand?
Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself,
    and your righteousness only other people.”

–Job 35:6-8

     Our God is the Creator[1] and Sustainer of the universe.[2]  He made mankind, we did not make Him.  He is the Potter, we are the clay.[3]  He is not the figment of the religious imaginations of ancient superstitious philosophers.  Rather, He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Supreme Ruler of the Heavens and the Earth.  Whether or not an individual chooses to believe in Him or persist in unbelief does not change the existence or character of the Deity.[4]  His thoughts are above my thoughts and His ways are above my ways.[5]  I have seen several movies where the power to fuel Santa’s sleigh comes directly from global Christmas spirit.  The magical sled won’t lift off the ground if the meter on the jetpack shows that too few children still believe.  Not so with the Almighty.  His power doesn’t decrease if we sin against Him.  His heart is grieved,[6] but humans cannot decrease His might with their lack of faith or their rebellious attitudes and deeds.[7]  When we follow His guidelines and principles laid out in His Word, He is pleased[8] and He fills our lives with blessings of all kinds, but it is not as though His power meter increases on some heavenly fuel tank.  God doesn’t need us, He wants us.

     Wickedness and righteousness DO have drastic effects on life on Earth.  Human behavior has a tremendous effect on interpersonal relationships,[9] socio-economic climates,[10] geo-political tensions[11] and the balance of the natural world.[12]  We are naïve to think that any man or woman is an island unto themselves.  A greater awareness of how our lifestyle choices affect the world around us would serve us well.  When a person decides to trust in God the Son as the way to God the Father, the new birth experience transforms their life for the better.[13]  For some, there come sudden, massive, miraculous changes.[14]  A family friend was once an alcoholic but when he invited Jesus to be his Lord and Savior, from that moment forward, even the smell of beer made him sick to his stomach.  For others, the core of their being is reborn, but the positive change occurs gradually, radiating out from that epicenter of new life within them.[15]  In any case, every child of God is on their own journey of becoming more like Jesus.[16] 

     The Holy Spirit meets us right where we’re at, just as we are, and from that point forward changes us from glory to glory, perfecting our personalities to be the best version of ourselves as God intended us to be.[17]  This discovery of identity, life in community and preparation for our destiny in the New Eden shines a light to those around us.  As we share the love and message of Jesus with those we come in contact with in daily life, the Light pushes back the darkness[18] and the Kingdom of God expands, making the world a better place.[19]  Elihu is not entirely correct.  Our choices can indeed grieve or cause rejoicing in the heart of God, but he was right in that we cannot change Him.  Human decisions do, however, greatly impact the world around us.[20]

“Jesus, thank You for Your love for me and for every human being who has ever lived.  I am grateful for Your care and provision given in Your sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave.  There is so much darkness in the world, but still Your light shines brightly in our hearts.  Show us ways of bringing others into the Light.  Help me to be more aware of the consequences of my actions on others.  I pray that I will honor You with my thoughts, words and actions for Your glory and my good.  Amen.”

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

–Matthew 5:14-16

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[1] Genesis 1:1, John 1:3

[2] Hebrews 1:3

[3] Isaiah 64:8

[4] Psalm 102:27, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17

[5] Isaiah 55:8-9

[6] Genesis 6:6

[7] Hebrews 13:8

[8] I Thessalonians 4:1, Romans 12:18

[9] Malachi 3:5

[10] Deuteronomy 24:15, Leviticus 19:13, James 5:4

[11]Genesis 17:20, Genesis 26:3-4, Isaiah 2:3-4

[12] Genesis 2:15, Revelation 11:18

[13] John 3:3, I Peter 1:3

[14] Psalm 34:17

[15] II Corinthians 5:17

[16] II Corinthians 3:18

[17] Psalm 139:14, Philippians 1:6, James 1:2-4, I Corinthians 13:12

[18] John 1:5

[19] Romans 12:2, I Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:7,

[20] I Peter 2:12