WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD FOR THOSE WHO BELONG TO HIM?

 In our society of the mixture of the world and church there can be confusion of what is permissible for those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ our Lord.

What does God expect from His called out ones?

Luke 16:15

And He said to them "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of the Lord."

Are we willing to go through persecution, or be called unkind names, like legalist, or extremists?

Jesus said for us to GO!

Because you have chosen to go all the way with the Lord to a crucified life, you will suffer at times. Through the suffering you will learn the faithfulness of God.

Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are those when they revile and persecute you, say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward is in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you

Jesus told us to go to the highways and byways and compel them to come in. (Luke 14:23)

Tell them how important it is for them to repent (change their mind about their sin and be sorry for them. 

Share that God's grace will carry them through, Jesus will always be there for them.  He offers a new life.

There is a crucified life to consider.

Mark 8:34-37

When He had called the people to Himself, with the disciples also, He said to them,  Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.  For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Remember beloved, after we have learned to live a crucified life, there is resurrected life for us.

We are new in Jesus.

We have a new way of thinking, because the Holy Spirit is in us.

We no longer want what the world offers to us.

1John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For that all that is in the world, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Read the story of George Muller. How he only trusted in God to provide for his orphanages.

He never depended on man.

I remember a story I heard years ago about a precious Christian lady who ran out of food.

She always prayed out loud in her apartment.

Her neighbor always made fun of her praying and following Jesus and trusting Him.

This man heard her pray for food.  So he went and bought her groceries and set them by her door. When she opened her door and found the food, she Praised God and thanked the Lord for his hearing her prayer.

The man told her he had brought the food to her, She Praised God all the louder and said thank you Lord for using the devil to pay for my groceries and answer my prayers.

God will use anything and anybody He chooses, even an unbeliever. Never limit God!

What is acceptable to God?  Should we go eat with sinners as Jesus did? absolutely!

How else are you going to share the love of Jesus with them.  

Do you need to partake of what they do, NO, but you can show them an example of what it means to follow the Lord with new life. 

You can show them love and that you care about them.  Just like Jesus did.

Ephesians 5:6-10

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience.

Therefore do not be partakers with them.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, walk as children of light.  (For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)  

Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Jesus ate with sinners and pursued them with His message of a new life in Him.  The religious Pharisees complained about it.  

People with a religious spirit will condemn you when they see you with sinners that you have befriend them.  

Share God's love anyway as you are led by the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, we are not better, but we are to be different!

The gospel is good news to the sinner.

I went to pay my taxes and they weren't open yet.  A young lady came in and sat by me, also a young man in his 40's.  I shared Jesus with the young lady and the young man told me he is an atheist.  

God sent him in at that time while I was there because I pray whoever God wants me to share His love with He will bring them in my path.

He did, We are to share God loves him away, no matter what he believes he is.

I have been praying for that guy ever since, that God will send an x atheist to share the gospel with him.

Beloved, Jesus loves everyone and no matter what their belief system is, Jesus wants them saved.

We never know when we will be tested by an angel.

Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels.

Beloved, we never know who God is sending in our pathway.  Be alert, be willing to share with anyone.

It is time the body of Christ steps out of their comfort zone.  Step out in faith and believe God sent those people to you.

We are the light of the world in this darkness, so let your light shine bright, without hesitation.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men,  that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Beloved, be diligent and faithful in your walk in the Lord.

God Bless your day

Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus

Joy