The Christian Thing To Do

"He is the Victor and all those beings that spew hatred are the Losers."

THERE’S something about living free of obligation, not being tied to any affiliation, not bound by any particular rules, being free spirited, as they say. So many work toward this goal, in the church and out of it. My mother always speaks of rules she was told to follow in her youth and how they influenced her faith. Lately, I’ve found myself returning to those she gave me, to the truth I heard in the pulpit. I am well able to spit out the sticks, those doctrinal things spoken which are not from the Spirit. I pay no mind to the denomination or education of the speaker.

With two exceptions—One, I am firm that the love of God be extended toward all men. I do not like to hear people used as an example of bad behavior. The Word tells us to pray for them, to love them, and do good things for them. I’ve even been known to give an offering to their ministry when they are slandered. This is the Christian thing to do.

Two, there are all those -isms I’ve mentioned in these devotionals. Our words need to be defined and understood. It does no good to use those which hold no definite meaning in our hearts. The church has made terms common, but most listeners, don’t truly know their purpose or misunderstand it. The word “demon” is an example. In my opinion, it needs to be discarded. It tends to give fear and wrong imagery. I call them “losers,” for that is what they are. They chose selfishness and ego over what God had given them, in the misbelief they could use his strength to do their own thing. The devil or Satan, which means “adversary” or “anti-righteous,” is the first sinner and the prime example. He is no prince, though the King James Version first used that term and caused it to be said.

We are told in Ezekiel that he was an angel of great beauty and power. When he sinned, deciding to put himself higher than God, a foolish thought, he lost all his beauty, even his very form (we see him in Genesis as a snake), and his wisdom and authority, as well. He is only the first of the bunch, and as the leader of other losers who chose to sin because of him, he is the most condemned. He HAS BEEN condemned and declared defeated, or as my mother says, de-feeted. He has no power or authority over us anymore. If only those who don’ t know Jesus would learn it and those who do would accept it. Jesus has no death in Him we are told in Romans 6:9 (Hebrews 2:14;1 Corinthians 15:55). He is the Victor and all those beings that spew hatred are the Losers.

“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” (Romans 6:9)

Outside of God’s life there is no beauty, no substance, no peace or joy. It cannot be obtained. For He is the source of all the offsprings, the fruit, of Life. Though physical death remains on earth at this time, it will one day be eliminated entirely. Until then, God through Jesus’ Resurrection, has made it a doorway to home in heaven. He has removed the fear of it. Those who fear it haven’t the clear vision that Jesus died to give. He is the Healer of the heart (our spirit man), of our soul (mind, will, and emotions), and of our bodies. There is no need to suffer and even in the process of healing, men can live well. We can face every day knowing the sun rises and sets just as it was commanded to do, and all the hours in between are healthy and happy ones.

“Righteousness” is another word we can eliminate. It is simply being in the right place in Jesus’ authority. He has made us righteous. Anywhere that the Word says, “the just,” or “the righteous,” we can claim those promises. An example: the memory of the just is blessed (Proverbs 10:7). We need never have memory loss. Here’s another: not one of the righteous’ bones are broken (Psalm 34:20). We need never fall and break bones. Proverbs and the psalms contain many more promises to the just, those who walk in Jesus. We have the peace of God, the wisdom of God, and a long, satisfying life because He has made us righteous.

“Faith,” as you know, is a word I have discarded. The Remedy translation penned by Timothy R. Jennings, M.D., changes it to “trust,” which helps me immensely. Because faith is something gained as we learn how much Jesus loves us. It cannot be divorced from the love of God and the heart of God. It is only faith because He is faithful. It is our trust in Him who is trustworthy. To grow in faith happens as we grow in our love for Him and our knowledge of His great love for us. It comes with a deepening relationship. Just as I can rely completely on my spouse, on my parents, I can rely on the Father, who adores me, on Jesus, who loves me, and on the Spirit, who is my best friend. They are always with me and will be with me forever, not to observe, but to guide me.

“And this trust is established by the evidence of God’s supreme trustworthiness provided by Christ.” (Philippians 3:9, Remedy)

“Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way” (Psalm 23:4 TLB)

Minister Michael Todd of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in his trademark way, often says we are to be “H.O.T.” That is, “humble, open, and transparent.” I can think of no better way to say what lays on my heart in this hour. Let’s prefer others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Let’s cover people’s sins with God’s abundant love (1 Peter 4:8). Let’s pray for all men to prosper, to gain wisdom and revelation of Jesus, to be blessed in their health. Let’s live in the light, knowing that it shows all that Christ is in us. Psalm 139 tells us the darkness is as light to our loving God, but Matthew 5:16 says the light shows His good work in us.

We are not saved by our work to follow rules. We are saved by Jesus’ gift of salvation. He gave Himself to guarantee we could have everlasting life for all of our life and on into eternity. But there are rules so that we can be mature adults, examples of the gospel. Like Jesus, like our Father, we are gentle, meek, kind, and overflowing with the love of God. He is seen in us as beautiful and all those who see us know it.


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com