Warranties are so important for things like cars and houses. Even medical policies we call insurance are a must because most of us couldn’t afford the out of pocket expenses if things go wrong or they break. Imagine people’s surprise when they get a repair bill for their car or a hospital bill and discover the policy they purchased in good faith doesn’t covering their problem. This happens either the policy was misrepresented by the sales person or we failed to read the fine print before purchasing. The same can happen with our expectation of what salvation is all about. We can be told one thing by pastors and teachers in the body of Christ only to discover when we die that we were told the wrong thing and we are not welcomed into God’s embrace.

There is a movie called “Leap Year” where a girl has been told by her father that on leap year Irish girls can ask their man if they will marry them, rather than waiting for the man to ask first. When this girl goes to Ireland to ask her man on leap year she encounters all kinds of crazy mishaps trying to reach her man who is in Dublin teaching a medical seminar. 

In article one, I shared how many believers never seem to get past the infancy stage in their Christian walk because they have not been taught to live a surrendered life to Christ and the kingdom of God. They agree with the principles Jesus taught about seeking the kingdom of God but, for them, that mainly means not engaging in a sinful lifestyle. Most of their personal study in the scriptures revolves around discovering God’s promises on how to get their personal needs and desire fulfilled rather than embracing God’s promises to fulfill God’s purpose for them.  The idea of living for a higher calling, one of divine purpose, seems to always be challenged by their focus on themselves and thus they can’t hear God’s voice on much else.

Today’s gospel seems a far cry from the one that the apostle Paul taught about when he was writing to the church in Rome. He talked about a gospel that, when applied, transformed the human heart so radically that he used a unique word to describe it: “Metamorphosis.” The idea he is trying to convey is that when Christ comes into your heart and soul you are completely changed from what you were to what God intended. Transformation takes time but it starts when your heart yields to the Lordship of Christ.

In this study I have proposed a few key attitudes and behaviors that gain favor with God. In the first article we learned that having favor with God is developed and acquired through choice and discipline. Proverbs 12:2 states that “A good man obtains favor from God.”  In other words, our choices and conduct affect our standing, either good or bad, with God.

This is the last in this series on who takes the initiative in seeking to either do God’s will or to attempt a God inspired event or act, God or Us. All too often we fail to take the initiative and often believe that if God wants us to do something he would tell us. If you haven’t read the first three articles, please do so before reading this last one.

In these articles on “Who Takes The Initiative” I have been trying to build a case for not waiting for God to command us to do something but rather to take the initiative in desiring God to approve what we see is a current or pending need. I have encountered many believers who have come to the false understanding that if God wants us to do something he will tell us. The point I made in the second article was that God created us to be like him and therefore he gave Adam the first task of naming the animals. God wanted us to take the initiative in creating and managing the world we are in. If you haven’t read the first two articles please do so before proceeding. 

As Christians, we want God to move in our lives on a daily basis, not just when we respond to Jesus’ offer of being born again.  The problem: who is suppose to initiate? Is God suppose to tell us when he plans to move or are we suppose to ask him to move? Truthfully, I think it is both!

Recently, I started to teach a six-week class at church on the book of Colossians and was reminded of the disconnect many Christians have regarding who they are meant to be a believers. I have often heard pastors and teachers say we are “Sinners” saved by grace in one sentence and then move on without giving an explanation of what they meant by that statement. For the average Christian believer, they get a “Mind Set” that that’s who they are and will always be until either Jesus returns or they die and go to be with the Lord. This, however, is far from the truth and often cripples the believer to always live in either a guilt ridden state or a weakened resolve to live as Jesus intended, which is free from a sinful lifestyle.

When I was a kid I never liked walking in the dark, especially alone. Something about not knowing what was out there caused my imagination to run wild. Fear would rise inside my chest even though I knew there was nothing “real” to be afraid of but we all know that fear is often not about facts and reality.