Forsaken Peace » HARVEST MINISTRY

Forsaken Peace
8/19/06

Sometimes people mistakenly think that living quiet, peaceful lives is boring. Our feelings of boredom may arise from longing for what the world has to offer. Many people perceive worldly gain as advantage instead of rejoicing in salvation. When people are so busy about the things of this life, they can easily overlook the reason for life itself. People seem to mistake peace as something other than God in man; there is nothing more consuming than being in Christ. There is nothing that satisfies beyond human measure than being in the presence of God. Just think; it is a matter of choice to be in the presence of God or in some other god. Boredom would appear to be a fool’s choice because God said He would never leave us or forsake us. Those who divert themselves with busyness and the entertaining activities of this life live a temporal existence, never truly knowing the meaning of God’s surpassing peace.

Hopeless people run here and there after what they see. People that have hope rest in the presence of God and wait upon Him. Those who follow Jesus Christ know the hope of their salvation and do not exemplify busyness, or seeking after earthly gain or the next entertainment fix. People need to realize they are dependent beings and they either depend upon God or not. Generations of people have chosen the ways of this world, seemingly not realizing that they are doing the same things over and over again. God created each man and woman in His own image and likeness. He did not create people identical; He planned each individual person unique in every aspect of their life, so God could receive every form and type of worship from them. God planned for mankind, and mankind is to fulfill God’s plan.

Mankind manifests a compulsive need to be entertained, and their self-sufficient, self-governing attitude seems reminiscent of Babel. The people of Babel were devoted to materialism and sensual pleasures; they were pursuing their own divinity. They pursued their own ambitions, not understanding God’s plan for them or His desire for relationship with them. God purposed to confound the universal language that was spoken by them, restraining mans’ unity by disrupting their communications. God then scattered the people to different places on earth. People still do not understand one another because they fail to be wholly united in God through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.

There is only one God and His voice brings peace and unity through Jesus Christ. If this were understood today and diligently pursued, there would be no miscommunication because there would be only one standard, which is the language of God; words from the Creator to His creation. Consider it! There would be no need for wars, no division, no oppression, no men lording over men, no false beliefs, no more hate! The tower of Babel is a representation of mankind’s aspirations to attain the power of God Almighty. God’s people know who they are and what they are; lost people are busy finding out what to do and who to follow. People running here and there eventually tire out and many just do not seem to understand why they do what they do and say what they say.

There is a way out of captivity; a way to be set free and made free. In God’s care His love captivates; there is no more captivity, no more deception, no more fear of man, and no more trying to be something or someone else. People can actually know their identity and destiny in Christ, and what true freedom really is.

Paradise was a place created by God for men and women on earth. The principles God established for mankind in Paradise have never changed. The same principles of freedom the first man and woman had are still valid for mankind today. God was before the beginning of all there is, then God spoke and His words created all into being. God’s voice is timeless and continues to create and direct His creation.

God has not changed; man has changed. Mankind is still trying to build towers to reach heaven in an effort to be most powerful. This will never be achieved because mankind is limited; all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God is everlasting and man is destined to die. God holds the keys to life and death.

Look to human history; what are mans’ ideas of power? If winning wars, adhering to patriotism or religious organizations, seeking higher education, following a social order, keeping and creating more laws, attaining to financial dominance, etc., are the means to obtaining power, then there is no need for God or His kingdom reign on earth. Those who believe in the ways of man are the living dead that God teaches about in His Word. (Matthew 6:10-13; 8:21-22) God warns man that friendship with this world is deep-seated dislike or ill-will towards Him. (James 4:4) People seem to like building towers of false hope. The absolute essential left out of these endeavors is God, or mankind’s search for power would have succeeded long ago. The power men so desperately need, but refuse to whole-heartedly seek, is God’s love. God’s love is most powerful; God’s love changes life forever.

When are men going to wake and come out of their dark sleep? When is man going to attain to true courage? When will men aspire to their created purpose? God’s many promises are attained through abiding in Him: quiet peaceful living, treasures in heaven, and purpose and completeness in life are just a few. Only God fills to the full measure beyond man’s aspirations. There is no force that can compare to God’s people united in Christ. God promises freedom from captivity while held captive in His love; the pure love that unifies mankind into one body of like-minds. Kingdom mentality is total wisdom that does not compare to a man’s thoughts or ideas. Mankind’s effort toward sovereignty is not a force powerful enough to create peace or unity; it creates tyranny. Only God gives resurrected life and the power of understanding through Himself.

Hope is no hope at all if a man can see it. (Romans 8:24) Jesus Christ is the doorway to living the kingdom of God here on earth on the way into heaven. God promised that He will reveal Himself to those who love and live through Jesus Christ. Stop and consider praying to God and asking Him why you do the things you do. Ask Him why you have the desires you have, and the thoughts you live by. Ask Him to open your eyes as you open your heart to Him. Ask Him to help you see your heritage through Him. Invite Him to come into your heart and reveal to you your ways, then ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Only in Jesus Christ is freedom found through all of life. Ask God to teach you to worship Him in all that you think, do and say. Then the love of God will flow out from within you as rivers of living water, and the true grace of God and His peace will be known.

Today’s question is: Will you choose to live in oneness through Jesus Christ or die alone? No matter what others do, your choice is between you and God—we hope you choose life.