Following The Signal (2)
Friday April 5, 2013
Yesterday we spoke about some "red lights" we are given by God through the Bible. To have lives of joy we must pay attention to those signals and stop the behaviours that put us and others in deadly danger.
Many people believe that we can live the way we desire and still have a growing relationship with the Lord. It isn’t true! “God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth” (1 John 1:5-6).
There are green lights to comply with as well. As we move into the heavy traffic of daily living, we must quickly obey the “green” signals of kindness, humility, love, worship and purity. If you drive in Vancouver you know that when you come off the Cambie Street bridge towards Smithe Street the traffic lights all the way to Burrard Street are synchronized. Catch the first green light, stay in the middle lane, and you can get straight across the downtown.
Spiritually speaking, when we get in step with the voice of the Holy Spirit, we will find that many things will start fitting together and working together surprisingly well. As God seeks to fit us all together into His loving plan, He knows that bridges of forgiveness are sometimes needed. In certain situations irritating distractions also need to be let go of so we can keep our attention focused on what is before us and steadily move forward. We might be surprised how much this will build smooth progress into life. Others have overlooked any number of attitudes and behaviours in us. It's time we were generous with others so we can all move ahead efficiently. God will show us what we need to challenge and what needs forgiving and forgetting. Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. (Galatians 6:1-3 MSG)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV, 1 Peter 4:10 NIV) God’s stops and starts in the Bible are designed to help us. They are not meant to stop us from having a good time. They are meant to protect us, correct us, and direct us on the road of life. They help us avoid serious accidents and even fatality, while opening a clear and timely path to God’s goal. It's time to obey and let our journey be paced by God's red and green lights.
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