Tag: image

Reject deceit, seek God’s face

Psalm 24:1-6

When a manufacturing company designs a vehicle, it operates just as it was built to. From the rims and tires, to the engine and spark plugs, every vehicle the company puts forth runs according to the designer’s specifications. The more the car or truck runs, necessary tune-ups are required to keep each vehicle running efficiently. There are also times when accidents occur, and some vehicles are sent for major or minor repairs, while others unfortunately get totaled. When vehicles are driven carefully, and given proper maintenance, they could potentially run beyond manufacturing expectations.

God designed everyone who existed today. Man was made in the image of God, and after His likeness. God is good, so men were made good. God is love, and men were given the spirit of love. The more people attune themselves to the will of God, the better they can serve the purpose the Designer intended for them to. When we begin to sway away from the Designer’s expectations, we then need to get frequent spiritual tune-ups. Just as weather and harsh environments affect a car’s performance, sin can cause men to fall totally out of alignment with God. When in sin, men find themselves walking in all sorts of ungodly behaviors including lying, cheating, and being deceptive. To avoid being damaged or misaligned in the will of God, it’s imperative that you keep your hands clean, maintain a pure heart, never connect your soul to vain things, and keep deceit far from you. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, so in order to live an effective and purposeful life, we must seek the face of God above all else, and submit to His original designs for our lives.

Seek peace,

Ell

People created in God’s likeness

Ephesians 4:17-24

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” God created man to be an extension of Himself on earth. God is sovereign, and His character is righteousness and true holiness. His original intentions for man was to shine His glory through him (Adam), while establishing His heavenly government on earth. Before sin, Adam was the supreme ruler over the earth. All was subject to his authority, including the animals. He was righteous, holy, and pure. God taught, and he listened, then carried out the will of the Father in obedience. What he spoke was certain, as he named all the animals, and even his wife. So long as Adam obeyed God’s commandments, he would live in an eternity of peace and prosperity.

It’s being taught today that believers are gods in their own right, but this is not biblically sound teaching. There’s only one God, and men are created beings, but operate in godly character. As God is loving, kind, meek, good, and patient, Adam was as well. But giving in to sin caused Adam to lose his authority, as God had intended. Disobedience always hinders us from walking faithfully with God.

Because of the original sin, men have been stained with sinful nature, even at birth. Living according to worldly standards positions you to take on the “old man”, whose ways are corrupt, according to deceitful lusts. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). Satanic influence is powerful, so much that many good men and women have submitted to its authority. But God wants us as He intended for us to be; holy, righteous, and to have dominion over the earth. That includes dominion over evil, but this is only possible through the power of God.

For any man to walk in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, he must first put off the old man. Just as we take off old garments in order to put on better attire, we are to put away evil and corrupt ways, because it’s impossible to hide the stench of filthy garments by covering them with clean ones. God wants us clean on the inside, as well as the outside. Putting on the new man means putting on the character of God. We are not gods, but we were originally made in His image, and after His likeness. God is love, so we are to show love naturally to everyone. God is righteous, and we are expected to be fair in all our dealings. God is patient….I’ll leave this one alone, because I know everyone struggles with this on a daily basis, but we should exude longsuffering at all times.

Many are unaware of their value to God, mainly because their understanding is darkened, and they’ve alienated themselves from His goodness through their own ignorance. Preachers preach, teachers teach, and ministers minister the word of God every day in churches, homes, and other religious gatherings all over the world. Yet, the world continues to turn a blind eye to the message of salvation. To those who are steadfast and unmovable in their walk with God, continue doing well, and recognize your value in God, and in others. Reach out to those who are lost, and help them see that when God made them, He made them awesome, talented, and special, just as He is.

Seek peace,

Ell