Finding My Set Place: Perfecting my “Cocky Faith” – July 22, 2007

Yet another busy Tuesday and I’m down to the wire to get my blog out before the clock strikes midnight. It never fails that when I’m in a crunch, God makes it so plain. I decided to stick to the entry of July 22, 2007 because last week I got stuck on the very first scripture. There are at least 15 more scriptures in my notes so this date may drag into a third week. I hope you all don’t mind me taking my time on this. Remember it’s a journey.

So, today I’m listening to my pastor’s lesson titled “Cocky Faith” and naturally it correlated with the passages in my notes from over 4 years ago. I’ve taken the limits off and letting God lead the way so here goes…  

Luke 17:20-21, “Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, “The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, ‘Look here!’ or, ‘There it is!’ And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you.”

NOTE: As believers, we have already inherited His Kingdom. Being saved is not just a ticket into the pearly gates; it’s an All Access pass to an abundant lifestyle. We have dominion. Our downfall is that we don’t understand the authority that we possess. The only way to learn anything is to study it. If you want to ace an exam, you must study the material. If you want to get to know someone, you must study them. If you want to perfect the purpose and plan that was predestined for your life you MUST study the Word of God. Period.

John 3:13-21, “No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”

NOTE: The portion that spoke to me most was the explanation of God’s sacrifice. “God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger…” All I hear is my pastor saying, “Anything that you are a part of you should add to or multiply it.” What’s the point in coming to church if you aren’t going to grow and make an impact? What’s the point in claiming any form of religion if your lifestyle doesn’t reflect any part of what you say you believe? I don’t care how small of a change you think it is; you should expect to change if you follow the Word of God. Period.

Romans 14:17-18, God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

NOTE: This is what I consider cocky faith! Your attention shouldn’t be on those around you. As long as you are living for Christ and making progress in your walk with Him, ignore what people say or think about you. You’re not here to please them. You’re here to please God. So yes, I walk with entitlement because I know who I am based on whose I am. I’m confident because the world doesn’t define me. My income doesn’t define me. My job title doesn’t define me. My relationship status doesn’t define me. And my popularity surely doesn’t define me!!! I’m not concerned about being liked… I’m concerned with being a LIGHT! [Non Factor goes right here]

Galatians 5:19-21, “It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.”

NOTE: I saved the best for last. We all have our downfalls. We all make mistakes. Only God is perfect. It’s when me make a lifestyle out of living according to our own understanding and abusing our free will that we’re disqualified from the promises of God. Life is choice driven. We live and die by the choices we make. Choose wisely.

Be Bold

Be Fabulous

Be YOU

Tuesday with Bianca