All May Turn to God

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 9:07 pm Post subject: All May Turn to God

All May Turn to God

Scripture:

And when he was come into Jerusalem, he (Paul) tried to join himself to the disciples: and they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him: and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem and dealing confidently in the name of the Lord. He spoke also to the Gentiles and disputed with the Greeks. But they sought to kill him. Which when the brethren had known, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. Now, the church had peace throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria: and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord: and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit. ( Acts 9:26-31 )

My little children, let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth. In this we know that we are of the truth and in his sight shall persuade our hearts. For if our heart reprehend us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Dearly beloved, if our heart does not reprehend us, we have confidence towards God. And whatsoever we shall ask, we shall receive of him: because we keep his commandments and do those things which are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment: That we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as he has given commandment unto us. And he that keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him. And in this we know that he abides in us by the Spirit which he has given us. ( 1 John 3:18-24 )

I am the true vine: and my Father is the grower. Every branch in me that bears not fruit, he will take away: and every one that bears fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean, by reason of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me: and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine: you the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch and shall wither: and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire: and he burns. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will: and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father glorified: that you bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples. ( John 15:1-8 )

Reflection:

Even those who have persecuted Him are invited to become His followers. There are many stories, such as the one of Paul, who were filled with passion to condemn those who believed in Him, but in the end would come to see how their ways were clouded. As the Lord stood before Paul, He asked him, why do you persecute me? Once the heart of Paul was opened, he was granted the gift of true sight through the blessings of the Holy Spirit. What was once a passion driven in the wrong direction was now removed by the passion of the One who sacrificed Himself that none who shall believe in Him shall die, but shall have eternal life.

As the heart of a person is changed, and the person leaves the crooked path for the straighter road revealed to them through Christ; many who know the person will be confused. They believe the person cannot change; for those who observe, themselves, are not open to the blessings of the Holy Spirit, the One who guides us to the true path of the blessed.

If a person devoted to persecuting those who believe in and follow the Son can find a change of heart and receive His forgiveness; then, all have hope that they may be accepted by Him. Through the blessings of the Holy Spirit, the most wicked may repent, the most sinful may turn from temptation; the lost may be found and embraced by the Good Shepherd.

What is called of us, to love one another, will be tested by the evil one. Deception after deception and temptation after temptation will be placed before us. Many will fail the test and many will turn from what is pleasing to Him for what appears to be pleasing to self. Many will not see the destruction which they invite until it is too late; but He will continue to call.

He came to us to make straight our path. He came to us so that the worst may repent from that which will lead to their destruction. He came to us so that if we believe in Him and His commandments are followed, we will find a better way. Those who offer a different path; one which does not follow the commandment to love, offer a path which will lead to strife and sorrow. Blessed are those who invite Him into their hearts, for the Holy Spirit will guide them to the light and the truth.

Some will profess their repentance, but can we only repent in words? What we do is stronger than what we say. If we are to offer our belief in love, then love should shine through our works. If we offer our belief in Him, we may begin with our words, but more is professed when we offer the works of our hands.

Through the Son, all may find a path the the Father; the Creator of all. The Son has shown us the way through what He has taught and through what He has done. We are called to continue His works of compassion, His works of love, His works of mercy, His works of forgiveness; for as we do, we profess our belief in Him. In big ways and small, the love given from our works speaks louder than what is found in our speech; for what are words in the face of what is done?

We might find the blueprints to build a house, and we may desire what is shown. We might read the instructions as to how to form the structure, but a house does not appear from what we read. For us to build a house, we must not only comprehend what is written, but we must also follow the instructions offered so that through the works of our hands, the house takes form and shape. The strength of what we build will be tested by the fury of the world. Our house will stand the test only if it is formed on a solid foundation and with craftsmanship honed by experience.

Though it is possible to build a structure from the work of one, what may be done can be made stronger and better with many hands together. It is for this reason He has created His children with many gifts so that through the sharing of their works, many blessings may be built in His glory. Many hands, working together in love, will make a lasting house for the comfort of all who build it and enter it, but no house will endure unless He is also in it.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier