Yesterday I posted some pretty harsh realities, but it was to set up today's post. We must understand the realities of God and the fact that he really has no need for us in any way. Hopefully, you will see how this actually exemplefies his love for us. The best way to show how this should affect us comes pretty practical and probably close to home for most of us.
Have you ever had one of those times where someone asked you to come over to their house for dinner or come over to spend some time with them. I know we have all had this happen to some extent. But, have you ever gone over to the person's house to only find out that what they really wanted, wasn't you, but your skills? So, dinner is over your sitting kicking around different topics and then all the sudden the person has a project that they need your help on. For me, since I am in investments and investment planning, this has happened to where what they really wanted was free advice on investment planning, not a casual evening of communion and fellowship. I have seen this also happen with others who are very good with their hands and been invited over because the person really needed help on their car, house, etc.
The question then comes, how does that make you feel? The didn't really desire to have you come over for fellowhip, but because the needed you and your skills. There was a selfish reason for you to be over there.
What about the opposite? When you have been invited over to someone's house that you totally respected and looked up to, and the only reason they wanted you over was to simply share an evening with you and your family. If one were to look from the outside, both of these evenings might look exactly the same. Dinner, conversations, laughs, etc. But, for you, the one being invited, the evenings are far different. The one who doesn't "need" you to be there, but desires your fellowship is far more important and humbling. When you find out that the person merely invited you over because you were needed, emotions change. You realize that the old bait and switch has happened, and you were caught. Yes, you got a meail, but you are no different than the fish who ate the worm to only find a silver hook within.
Yesterday, we found that God doesn't need us. But think of this, although he doesn't need us, he still desires our fellowship. He is like the one who invited you over for dinner because he just wants to spend time with you. This is amazing. Now, like all illustrations, this isn't perfect, because we are to worship God and glorify him. But, the fact that he has no bait and switch should cause us to be floored at his love for us.
God desires us to turn to him and be saved. Not because he needs us, but because he desires for us to live and not die.
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22
Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:23
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3
God desires for us to turn and repent so that we can have fellowship with him. Not because he needs us, but because he loves us. Even our prayers are said to be bowls of incense. This is pleasing to God because prayer involves us fellowshiping and conversing with our God.
When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8
Know that God is in complete control, that nothing can deter his hand, that he does not need you. But, do not let this be a cause for stumbling, do not let this be a cause of great depression, but of joy. Because although God doesn't need you, he sent his Son to die for you because his desire was for us to be with Him:
But the Lord was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
Isaiah 53:10
Have you ever had one of those times where someone asked you to come over to their house for dinner or come over to spend some time with them. I know we have all had this happen to some extent. But, have you ever gone over to the person's house to only find out that what they really wanted, wasn't you, but your skills? So, dinner is over your sitting kicking around different topics and then all the sudden the person has a project that they need your help on. For me, since I am in investments and investment planning, this has happened to where what they really wanted was free advice on investment planning, not a casual evening of communion and fellowship. I have seen this also happen with others who are very good with their hands and been invited over because the person really needed help on their car, house, etc.
The question then comes, how does that make you feel? The didn't really desire to have you come over for fellowhip, but because the needed you and your skills. There was a selfish reason for you to be over there.
What about the opposite? When you have been invited over to someone's house that you totally respected and looked up to, and the only reason they wanted you over was to simply share an evening with you and your family. If one were to look from the outside, both of these evenings might look exactly the same. Dinner, conversations, laughs, etc. But, for you, the one being invited, the evenings are far different. The one who doesn't "need" you to be there, but desires your fellowship is far more important and humbling. When you find out that the person merely invited you over because you were needed, emotions change. You realize that the old bait and switch has happened, and you were caught. Yes, you got a meail, but you are no different than the fish who ate the worm to only find a silver hook within.
Yesterday, we found that God doesn't need us. But think of this, although he doesn't need us, he still desires our fellowship. He is like the one who invited you over for dinner because he just wants to spend time with you. This is amazing. Now, like all illustrations, this isn't perfect, because we are to worship God and glorify him. But, the fact that he has no bait and switch should cause us to be floored at his love for us.
God desires us to turn to him and be saved. Not because he needs us, but because he desires for us to live and not die.
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22
Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:23
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3
God desires for us to turn and repent so that we can have fellowship with him. Not because he needs us, but because he loves us. Even our prayers are said to be bowls of incense. This is pleasing to God because prayer involves us fellowshiping and conversing with our God.
When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8
Know that God is in complete control, that nothing can deter his hand, that he does not need you. But, do not let this be a cause for stumbling, do not let this be a cause of great depression, but of joy. Because although God doesn't need you, he sent his Son to die for you because his desire was for us to be with Him:
But the Lord was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
Isaiah 53:10
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