A Heart For God
How do we know that God is working in the heart of an individual? One way is to see a thirst for Him, a longing for that which is eternal. There is also the evidence of His working in the conscience of the individual, convicting one of that which is good and not. But primarily with the thirst comes a desire to be right with God by Christ.
Unlearning Much To Know Christ
When we are born into this world, we begin to learn a great deal. Much of that which we learn, we hear and see, is conceived and promoted by the world system, a system which is not of faith in God, but in man. If one is to follow Christ, then one must begin to unlearn much, for God has only promised to bless His word, His Son, and those who truly seek Him as a result of true faith.
The Only But Certain Hope
When sin came into the world, and death because of it, man for the first time came to realize that he needed a Savior from the power of sin, but also its eternal consequences. There was but one Hope in the Garden of Eden, and it was the Lord Jesus who walked there in the eve of the day, seeking Adam and Eve. Christ is still the only hope of men, and He is still seeking who will come to him to be saved.
The Constant Vision
One of the great benefits of honoring the Lord by honoring His day, the seventh day, is that it allows the believer freedom from distraction in order to look again heavenward to Christ, and to trust God for the renewed vision of Himself. One's faith, but also the interpretation of Scripture is greatly determined by the vision one has of God. As one worships God in Spirit and truth, faith is inspired by beholding.
No Good Thing Withheld
God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. It is out of the depths of His mercy and grace as Has revealed to us in Christ, that He gives as much as we are willing to trust Him for, and also, and without us knowing or seeing it all, over and above all that we can ask or think. He is desirous to bless us in greatest measure that others will be truly blessed, and this for eternity.
Golden Oil Poured Into Golden Lamps
Oil in the Bible is often a symbol for the Holy Spirit, His work and power. The fact that in some places in Scripture, we find it called "golden oil," simply enforces the fact that it is Divine. God's way in dealing with men and accomplishing His perfect will on earth and in heaven is always by His Spirit. The golden oil speaks of His working in the hearts of men by the Spirit, being just as real and effective as the oil that is seen in its life-giving power.
Come Home
What is the call of God to the aimless, lost individual, wandering about ever seeking the answer to the great questions of life and eternity? The call is simply to come home. This home is where God dwells and where he calls all and any one to come and dwell there with Him. It is a call to a right relationship with God the Father, based wholly and only on the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the saving power of the Spirit of Christ.
The Work Of God Is To Believe
Why did God choose to declare and provide for a soul's salvation to be known and lived by faith? It is because faith is a gift of God, something entirely outside of sinful man. It must be given and then received if there is to be the appropriation of forgiveness of sins, and the creation of a new man in Christ.
The Mysterious Miracle Of Christianity
Christianity is a miracle because it is only possible by God's doing. God creates, redeems in Christ, saves by the power of the Spirit according to the gospel, and makes a new creation out of a lost sinner. Not only is the message of Christianity one that is only of God, but the moving by the Spirit to save a lost soul is an act of God alone, for His glory.
The Missed Opportunity
God has given to us all and individually a certain amount of time, with all the resources in Christ, to accomplish His will on this earth. That opportunity is a daily one, and can be used well, or redeemed, or it can be wasted and missed through neglect or simply not addressing communion with God as the greatest calling a believer can have. The call to fruitfulness is a call to fellowship, abiding in Christ.