A True "Christian" Life, Calls

He IS Calling YOU..

Hey folks. We are talking about the Five Steps of a True "Christian" Life. In your Bible, you can find them listed in Romans 8:29-30

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

The Steps are as follows, Foreknowledge of YOU, Predestination or a Plan and Purpose for YOUR Life. {You are not here by accident.} Calling {God calls you. This is where things change.} Justification. Glorification..

Last time we discussed the fact that all lives start out the same way. Yes, your Mother and Father come together and you are conceived. But there is much more than that. See, you are here, and you are the way you are, because God said so. He knew you before your Mom and Dad even knew each other. As a matter of fact, YOU might even be the reason God brought them together in the first place.

Think about that. God needed Peter, John, Luke, and yes, even Judas. If their Mothers and Fathers never came together, they would have never been. So think about that. Who is Peter, the one that walked on water with Jesus, who are his Parents? We do not know. We know his Father was a Fisherman, but that's about all the Bible tells us. Why? It's not important. Yet, had they not come together, Peter would have never been there to hear Jesus say...

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." {Matthew 16:18}

So it is not that far fetched to think that God brought your Mother and Father together to bring forth YOU. We also talked about the fact that you are the way you are because God wrote you that way in His Book. You have blonde, brown hair. Blue, brown eyes. You are this tall. ETC. Even the very hairs on your head and numbered.

Then we talked about the fact, you are not here by accident. That your life is more than going to work 9-5 and paying bills. That there is SO MUCH MORE to life than this. That God set up a Plan and a Purpose for you. Now yes, the sad thing is, most will never figure out what that is. Most will not even pass this next Step. You see, this next Step is where EVERYTHING changes...

God Calls YOU..

Now first, to be sure, God is NOT calling you into a Religion. This is why I rarely use the term, or put it into quotations when I write it, "Christianity." Or being a "Christian." You see, "Christianity" is NOT a Religion. Wait What? I said, "Christianity" is NOT a Religion.

Being a "Christian" is NOT just like being a Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or Jedi even. Being a "Christian" is not suppose to be your involvement in this or that Denomination, or this or that man-made Tradition, called Religion. It is a way of Life. It is "The Way." There is no other.

It was at Antioch, and most likely in a derogatory manor, that the believers were first called "Christians."

"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." {Acts 11:26}

Before this, it was simply called "The Way." The Way of God

"And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." {Acts 9:2}

Jesus Christ said He is "The Way" to the Father.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (John 14:6).

"The Way" God has called us to is challenging. It is not just a hobby, but a total way of life.

"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).

Now understand this. God wants a 24 -7 relationship with you. He is not looking for a Good "Christian." He is not counting perfect attendance in Church. He is not looking to see if you eat meat on Friday. He wants to be your Father. More importantly, He wants to be your Daddy..

See, just like your earthly Father, He wants to be there everyday. He is there when you go to sleep, and when you wake up. He is there to laugh with you, to cry with you. He is there to protect you, teach you, comfort you, and love you. He is there always. He wants you to be thee too. Not out of obligation, but because you love Him this much. We already know, how much He loves us..

Now we may have turned "Christianity" into a Religion, but it really is not. The Bible is NOT just another "Holy Book" that goes along with a Religion. You are a Child of God. He is your Daddy. The Bible is the very LIVING Word of God. There are no contradictions nor mistakes in it either.

So the first thing you need to understand, is that God is calling you into a relationship with Him. He is Adopting you..

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." {Romans 8:15}

"Abba Father?" Daddy. He wants you to talk to him all the time. Share your hopes and dreams, ask Him questions. Seek what He has waiting for you. He will be there always and never leave you.

Second, He is calling you to accept His Plan and Purpose for you and your life. Oh, by the way, think about this. What did all the Followers of Jesus do? They FOLLOWED Him. In other words, they did not stay where they were and keep doing the same thing. Peter did not keep Fishing Fish. Matthew did not keep collecting Taxes. They actually got up, out, and moved on. Simply put "You cannot go with God and remain where you are." I have no idea who said that, but it IS true.

Now, will it be evident what God wants you to do? Will you know instantly? Maybe. God told Noah to build the Ark when it was Sunny. He told Moses in a Burning Bush to lead His people out of Egypt. He told Saul to keep going to Damascus, all be it for a VASTLY different purpose than Paul have planed.

Then again, it may NOT be as evident. It may not be as immediate. He may want you to spend some time in Preparation. He will Justify you. Think about this also, There are patterns of preparation that are common among most of God's chosen Leaders. First, there is a time when the leader is separated from his old life. Think Moses, Joseph, Abraham, and Paul. In order for God to mold and shape them into the "New Creature" that God wants them to be, it appears that He had to remove them from the life they knew and in most cases, a life of comfort. This, and the other steps, is what we will talk about next time..

Now as I said, this is where everything changes. If you chose to reject the Call, then you will live on. You will live this life as you will, and you will die as you will, and come what may after. If you DO accept the Calling, GREAT, you,,,,

"have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

Now find out what God has planned for you. He does have a Plan. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God.

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..