Christ requires a change in heart and character

Greetings,

The message for today seems to go in several directions, but arrives back at choosing Christ for eternal salvation (Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God - Psalms 42:11) On Sunday (2/21/16) we attended church service at McLean Bible Church and Pastor Solomon's message (https://www.mcleanbible.org/sermons) was based on the book of Job; specifically Job 1:1-6, whereby we have hope in Christ. Pastor Solomon when on to discuss the "Four Promises" God has made to those who believe in Christ.  Before sharing the message, I wanted to put you in on the 4 promises:

1. Our troubles have all been inspected

2. Our troubles have a divine purpose

3. In our trouble we are never alone

4. Our troubles will always turn into good

                                                Christ requires a change in heart and character

Earlier this week I began preparing this message based on what was happening in the news regarding politics and global events. I had a host of concerns regarding how often we find it difficult to keep an eye on the issues occurring around us at the ground level. I admit that I often find myself victim of the Beltway mindset. This unfortunately causes you to be inundated by media, politics, and nonsense. Furthermore, depending on where you sit, you know the truth and it upsets you when the outside world believes everything the media provides them. Last week the message was based on personal responsibility. As we continue on this path we will discuss how salvation in Christ must be the beginning of personal change.

One of the problems difficult for us all to face is that why some people do well, some fail, and why poor people and tragedy exists. In Deuteronomy 15:11(For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’), the Bible is clear that we are help those in need, however,  it is also clear that those in need will always exist. 1 Samuel 2:7, says that (The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.) Therefore, there will also be differing socio-economic classes among any given society. However, for those who have the will to succeed, move foward and have goals, should not be considered sinners as long as they do so in accordance with 1 Corinthians 10:31, to God’s glory.

According to the Olive Tree Bible App, the word poor is mentioned in the Bible 174 times, while death was mentioned 469 times. What I found in the midst of those words were issues of suffering, success, condimnation, wealth, failure and defeat. What many of the people shared was either they had  relationship with Christ or they did not. For those who knew Christ, the theme was reoccurring; they were heirs of the promise. However,  they were fully warned in Rev 2:10, where the Lord told John about how the faithful will suffer, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful aunto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Here is where the rubber meets the road. Reread that passage and ask if it applies to you. Do consider the Lord your savior? Have you asked Jesus to come into your life, so that you may understand that your situation is not without purpose. The key is what you do with it. As hard as it may seem, at your lowest point, you can have joy, freedom and a way out. I would like to close with letting you know that your situation is not as bad as you think. Consider Joseph (Gen 39 - 50), son of Jacob and brother to 11 other brothers, who threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery and told thier father, he was dead. God used Joseph and his gift of interpreting dreams to propel him to a position beyond his imagination. If God can do such things for Joseph, why are you not entitled to the same promises?

May God richly bless you and keep you.

Personal Responsibility

Greetings everyone,

I would like to send out a special thank you to a very close family friend who shared with my wife and I how much the messages I have written have meant to them. I would like to apologize for my absence, but please know that it has been for a good cause. Last fall I started Seminary with Liberty University. I am currently on a short break, but I acknowledge the instruction has been phenomenal. If you bear with me, I would like to share with you a small message the Lord shared with me that may or may not speak to you, but someone you know.

Why the words "Personal Responsibility" are so hard to hear.

In the 21st Century we appear to still be dealing with issues of race. Humbly it is acknowledged that as long as sin exists, racism will do the same. Through my seminar studies I have learned that one of the most critical barriers for the non-believer either accepting Christ as their personal savior, is personal responsibility. Many non-believers associate Christianity with rules or a burdensome set of requirements. While in reality, belief in Christ actually gives you greater freedom (Galatians 2:4 & 5:1), only that you acknowledge that your freedom comes with responsibility and that you are now a direct representative of Christ.

Unfortunately, this same barrier of fear has done damage to many in our society today. Initially when I prepared this, I wanted to single out minorities. However, after doing further research and reading the scriptures, this behavior has continued for some time and is bound to no single race. You only have to consider the various people and cultures discussed in the Old Testament. When looking for a biblical approach on personal responsibility, I reviewed Got Questions.org, who stated that “As we progress through childhood, we take on more and more responsibility.” Paul stated in 1 Cor 13:11, “When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”

Got Questions.org also stated: “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them” (Ezekiel 18:20). Personal responsibility is closely related to the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–8). “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done” (Isaiah 3:10–11).”

What is clear is that when the media, public officials, special interest groups, etc., approach minority communities about personal responsibility, at least two arguments are bound to surface:

1. Society, the media and often the spokesmen of these communities, portray the citizenry as eternal victims. There seems to be a blame everyone else attitude, or an absence of personal responsibility.

2. Immediately racism is often cited when the discussion of victim status or personal responsibility is mentioned by Conservatives, media, politicians, or people who are not members of that minority community.

Both should be addressed immediately. However, the current society we live in seems void of addressing these issues. Granted past incidents endured during the history of America were truly ugly and unforgettable. Unfortunately, we seem to be stuck in a reoccurring dream, one that seems to adjust with time. Many youth today seem to believe that they have a kindred spirit with the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. Furthermore, they seem to believe that they are fighting against the same hardship and a system that is stacked against them. This allows them to remove personal responsibility and place the blame on the system, rich people, etc. However, when met face to face with the direct question of choice, the discussion goes off course.

Recognizing that incidents of harassment, racism, nepotism, and other unfair activities occur, these actions are not complete prohibitions to your success. Furthermore, living in a lower economic neighborhood, being the child of a single parent and or even being an orphan has not prohibited progress. Some of the brightest minds from these unfortunate situations, have created inventions you use today, or started Fortune 500 hundred companies that are well known today. Author John Maxwell in “Failing Forward” stated “What starts people down the failure freeway is a common mistake, failure, or mess up. But people who stay on the failure freeway don’t think that it’s their fault.”  He also quoted “The moment a question comes to your mind, see yourself mentally taking hold of it and disposing of it. In that moment is your choice made. Thus you learn to take the path to the right. Thus you learn to become the decider and not the vacillator. Thus you build character. – H. Van Anderson”

As usual, I have a lengthy way of trying to make a point. However, I have learned through my studies that God’s ways are not mine (Isaiah 55:8-9). I believe that what He merely wanted me to share with you is that you consider your actions. If you could write down two lists, one depicting all of the people or issues preventing you from pursuing your dreams, and a second list of all of the things you have done to pursue them. Upon reviewing your list, consult with yourself as did Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:6-8), when confronting the Israelites who charged interest against their own people in violation of the scriptures. Once you have completed your review, be honest with yourself, who or what is the cause of you not progressing. If you can honestly place 100% of the blame on some other source without adding yourself, then I am truly sorry for what happened to you and I will pray for you. However, if there is even a 1% chance that you had some responsibility for your current position in life, then you may want to reexamine the list.  

I will leave you with this from author Jason Riley in “Please Stop Helping Us,” who quoted an excerpt from Booker T. Washington’s writings, “It is important and right that all privileges of the law be ours, but it is vastly more important that we be prepared for the exercise of these privileges.” Don’t miss the chance of using the privileges afforded you for a chance at success.

May God richly bless you and keep you.