Reading Revelation brought to mind the responsibility of character ( 1 Samuel 12:3). When the Lord says that he "knows the deeds", he is not only referring to the action, but to the disposition of the heart that moves it. Love, service, faith and patience ( 2 Timothy 4:7)
As for the false doctrine mentioned, I am amazed at the cunning of those who promote sin as a method of knowing the truth. Isn't that the most dangerous of lies? What grace would there be if holiness were indifferent? ( Galatians 1:6)
Christ, however, places no burden on those who remain faithful ( Jeremiah 23).
Yes - that key exists, and it is the key to death and hell, which Jesus took when He conquered death in His resurrection. Revelation 1:18 "I am he who lives; I was put to death, but behold, I am alive for ever and ever, and I have the keys of death and hell."
So! Christ has conquered the power of sin and death, and the keys he holds are not just symbolic of authority, but of liberation - the prison door is open because he has the key.
And so, with the peace of knowing that our prison has already been opened, how important to keep in mind that the key is not lost, and that the last word belongs to the One who lives.
Talking to some brothers and sisters at the weekend.. I noticed some verses that opened my eyes and helped me arrive at this reasoning.
I hope this does you good. I heard someone say How easy it is, with time and emotion, to allow the truth received to become diluted. But now I'm moving towards true love is also watchfulness. - But keeping it, oh, that part is harder. My soul, made for feeling, hasn't always known how to watch.
So, I hope that these words - will be for you a reminder that true faith is simple, the way is narrow, and God's heart is wide in mercy. (Be it Revelation 3:20; See Matthew 12:7; See Hosea 6:6) But our Lord declared firmly and tenderly: 'I want mercy, not sacrifice'. Thus, even those who see themselves without religious titles or external merits can find welcome in Him, for the door that is Christ - as John tells us - there is no key, no ritual, but only trust and step by step. ( Matthew 9:13; John 10).
Today I read the words of the prophet Hosea: 'For he has broken us, and he will heal us.' ( Hos 6:1) - harsh words, but not without tenderness. They reminded me that true love is not always indulgent, and that the Lord, being the most faithful of spouses, can wound us Hosea 6:2 not out of cruelty, but out of faithfulness.
He does withdraw. Hosea 6:3 But only until our soul desires more than comfort - until it desires Him.
Over the years, I've realised that many hearts are lost when they wait in human love for the consolation that only God can give. Perhaps this is because we create our own idols - and marriage, when loved above the Beloved, becomes a burden rather than a relief.
Hosea 6:4 shows me that God is not content with our divided affection. He loves us too much to let us fall asleep in illusions.
So if he turns away, it's only so that we can truly seek him.
Reading Revelation brought to mind the responsibility of character ( 1 Samuel 12:3). When the Lord says that he "knows the deeds", he is not only referring to the action, but to the disposition of the heart that moves it. Love, service, faith and patience ( 2 Timothy 4:7)
As for the false doctrine mentioned, I am amazed at the cunning of those who promote sin as a method of knowing the truth. Isn't that the most dangerous of lies? What grace would there be if holiness were indifferent? ( Galatians 1:6)
Christ, however, places no burden on those who remain faithful ( Jeremiah 23).
Yes - that key exists, and it is the key to death and hell, which Jesus took when He conquered death in His resurrection. Revelation 1:18 "I am he who lives; I was put to death, but behold, I am alive for ever and ever, and I have the keys of death and hell."
So! Christ has conquered the power of sin and death, and the keys he holds are not just symbolic of authority, but of liberation - the prison door is open because he has the key.
And so, with the peace of knowing that our prison has already been opened, how important to keep in mind that the key is not lost, and that the last word belongs to the One who lives.
Talking to some brothers and sisters at the weekend.. I noticed some verses that opened my eyes and helped me arrive at this reasoning.
I hope this does you good. I heard someone say How easy it is, with time and emotion, to allow the truth received to become diluted. But now I'm moving towards true love is also watchfulness. - But keeping it, oh, that part is harder. My soul, made for feeling, hasn't always known how to watch.
So, I hope that these words - will be for you a reminder that true faith is simple, the way is narrow, and God's heart is wide in mercy. (Be it Revelation 3:20; See Matthew 12:7; See Hosea 6:6) But our Lord declared firmly and tenderly: 'I want mercy, not sacrifice'. Thus, even those who see themselves without religious titles or external merits can find welcome in Him, for the door that is Christ - as John tells us - there is no key, no ritual, but only trust and step by step. ( Matthew 9:13; John 10).
Today I read the words of the prophet Hosea: 'For he has broken us, and he will heal us.' ( Hos 6:1) - harsh words, but not without tenderness. They reminded me that true love is not always indulgent, and that the Lord, being the most faithful of spouses, can wound us Hosea 6:2 not out of cruelty, but out of faithfulness.
He does withdraw. Hosea 6:3 But only until our soul desires more than comfort - until it desires Him.
Over the years, I've realised that many hearts are lost when they wait in human love for the consolation that only God can give. Perhaps this is because we create our own idols - and marriage, when loved above the Beloved, becomes a burden rather than a relief.
Hosea 6:4 shows me that God is not content with our divided affection. He loves us too much to let us fall asleep in illusions.
So if he turns away, it's only so that we can truly seek him.
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