Persevering Purpose

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 30, 2016

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God.  Acts 5:38-39

The purposes of God cannot be stopped. No king or catastrophe can conquer Christ’s will or ways. He is specific in what He wants done, as the Almighty accomplishes what He desires. Man may get in the way momentarily but over time, the Lord’s lasting purposes prevail. Resistance sometimes comes from religious leaders whose control is threatened. They drift into bad theology that equates time-bound methods with timeless truth. Religion, if not kept relevant, can become its own worst enemy, limping as it maintains the status quo.

Christ came to shake up the religious establishment. The emerging church is not new, but as old as the first century church. It appeals for alignment around the practical purposes of Almighty God. God’s good news is Jesus Christ, period. He does not have to be enhanced or embellished. You do not have to apologize for who He is or what He stands for. Jesus just needs to be exposed and unleashed. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to draw others to Jesus.

When you lift up Jesus with your life and lips, others are drawn to Him. Causes and people who are not of God will fail. You do not have to plan their demise; it will happen in the course of Christ’s good timing. God’s purposes are creative and innovative. They are not bound by cultural norms or society’s mores. Deity delights in doing things differently. Each generation seeks to define itself through music, art, technology, sports, economics, leisure, and yes, religion.

Nevertheless, the Lord is large enough to apply His purposes in all of these environments. Music is His universal language of praise and worship to Himself. He is more concerned with the outcome of awe and obedience than He is with style and rhythm. Art is His expression of Himself in human beings, nature, and architecture. Artistic creators of beautiful design and geniuses of expression point to a much greater Designer. Modern technological advancements have accelerated our ability to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.

Sports testify to our Creator’s intrinsic intellect behind the pinnacle of His creation, the human body. The best economic systems in the world execute commerce on principles found in the Word of God. The church has persevered because it is the Bride of Christ, the hope of the world, and God will carry out His purposes through the Body of Christ. He is not bound by time or tradition. His purposes persevere because He perseveres. Your role is to align with His purpose and trust Him with the right outcome.

The Bible teaches, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:11).

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