Growth requirements

It is vitally important that we understand the concept of God’s holiness. We need to consecrate ourselves prior to coming into God’s presence when we bring our offerings. If we expect blessings and God’s presence in our activities, we need to be on the same page as God. The only way we know God’s will, is when we are purified and humbled at his feet. We need to repent of any sin and turn away from lifestyles that displease God. Remaining in sin is detrimental to our spiritual wellbeing. If we want to be fruitful and beneficial in the kingdom of God to fulfill his greater purpose in our lives, we need to be right with God. We have to understand that worship, thanksgiving, tithing and giving of our time are all different offerings the new testament church presents to God as a sacrifice. Similar to the Old Testament burnt offerings which were preceded by meticulous cleansing rituals before the priests stepped into the holy of holies- lest they’d be struck down and killed due to their own sinful state-we should come clean before the living God as well. In the New Testament we still see God’s wrath displayed in the willful deceit of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), who knowingly withheld money from their offering and both were struck down and killed by God for their disobedience. Even in this time of grace we still have to reckon with a Holy God. Despite our understanding of a loving God, we need to know the other side also, that cannot be anything but holy, and He will adhere to his laws, and so should we. If we expect growth in our lives, our marriage, our families and in our churches, we need to address sinful situations. We cannot be laissez-faire about it. Let God deal with it. When we look at Eli and his two sons who were priests, but lived a godless life, not only did they face God’s judgment, but Eli also for not addressing their continuing sinful lifestyles. It cost the nation of Israel defeat and thousands of lives. All because their spiritual leaders forsook God’s law and left the presence of God. No blessing can come from a sinful life. Let us not fool ourselves, God will not be mocked. He is holy and expects holiness from his people. And since Jesus became the ultimate high priest, we are all priests in the kingdom of God. Let us live holy lives, according to our calling. Especially those, who are actually called as leaders of the church. God has made us more than conquerors, not cowards. We should not run away from challenges, we should stand our ground, if God brought us to a conflict. God wants to bring victory to a sinful situation, and that is why we face conflict. Our decision is to take a stand or to run. God has the victory ready for us, will we have the courage to stand and face our spiritual conflict with God's help? We will not move on in our spiritual growth until we face our giant...


References:
Exodus 23:23, 1. Samuel 4:3-8, 1. Samuel 2:12-17. Acts 5:1-11, Hebrews 9-10, Romans 8:27

„Wichtige Voraussetzungen fuer erfolgreiches Landeseinnehmen“ Nassim Ben Iman
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