God’s Valentine
Jesus Christ was God’s valentine gift of love to fallen man. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life… He was given to those in bondage to release them from the prison of sin and iniquity. The devil’s purpose is diametrically opposed to to the gift of God. The purpose of the world and the of devil is to keep man in the bondage of sin which separates man from God… to keep men relegated to a position of dishonor, disrespect, and insignificance. The accuser will remind you of your sin nature, of your having fallen far from the righteousness of God. However, no pit is so deep that God is not deeper still. No matter the darkness, there is always hope in the light of the world, our Savior Jesus Christ. The darker the night the brighter the light shines.
If we look at the darkness and depravity of the world around us, we will be distressed. If we look into the darkness of the carnal nature of our own souls, we will be discouraged. However, repentance is turning from darkness to light. Bowing our hearts before the light of the Lord in prayer is the key to defeating the darkness of sin… Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his wondrous grace.
Shackled by a heavy burden, ‘neath a load of guilt and shame, then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same. Lord, create in me a new heart… to make of me the man that thou hast created me to be. Teach me O Lord, that my hope is not in the things of the world… Not in my family, my strength, my intellect, my job, my accomplishments, my wealth, my trophies and praise of other men. Break my heart, O Lord, that I may be a vessel broken for you so that you can mend me and reconcile me back to you… a vessel fit for your use, holy and acceptable unto you.
Men of this world experience post traumatic stress through the battles and shattering of the trials and tribulations of this world. The root cause of despair is the sin that has broken our relationship with our heavenly father. Even when we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. He who knew no sin, became the sin sacrifice on our behalf, that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
When the rich young ruler saluted Jesus as “good master,” Jesus replied, “why callest thou me good? There is none good (in himself.)” Good only comes from God. There is none good in the carnality his own sinful flesh. Goodness is only in the spiritual nature of God himself. In my flesh dwelleth no good thing. Jesus Christ came to rescue us from our carnal sin nature… To deliver us from the sin of self centeredness… from confusion, the lust of the world, the pride of life and the lust of the eyes.
As in the days before Nazi Germany, the Church today is sleepwalking toward a precipice of falling into the abyss of the darkness of the political correctness of the world’s culture. Developing a craving for the junk food of the world is an acquired taste. It does not overtake us in one fell swoop. Living near Sodom causes the values of Sodom to gradually influence our tastes. Our conscience is seared with a hot iron one thought at a time until we have an insatiable craving for the things of the world. A “range of acceptable behavior” today used to be considered “wacko” in yesterday’s culture. When the culture and values of Sodom become the values of political correctness, Sodomy becomes a virtue and not a vice. The devil’s redefinition of truth calls evil good and good evil. The new morality is nothing but the old immorality. Once Communism walked in the shadows. However, yesterday’s Communism has been redefined by the Politically Correct as today’s Social Progressivism.
If you look at others you will loose hope. If you look in the mirror, you’ll be depressed. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. For we all with open face beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed from the glory of the flesh to the glory of the spirit, even by the spirit of the lord. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
In this world there is no peace. Peace is only available through the Prince of Peace. According to Romans Chapter 5: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also. Knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit which is given unto us.
Sometimes God pulls the props of this world out from under us. This is so that we can stand by faith in him alone. As God said to Paul after he had prayed three times for God to remove the thorn from his flesh “my strength is made perfect in thy weakness… my grace is sufficient for thee.” As John the Baptist said to his followers when he introduced them to Jesus, I’m not the bride groom, I’m just the man who introduces the Bridegroom to his Bride. I must decrease that he may increase…. For God has extended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly… that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael