"Perfection comes when the pride of seeking heaven is sacrificed
for the pleasure of pleasing God" - Eric Lampkin
In the 1700's David Brainerd wrote in his journal about a woman who came to hear him preach. she was very upset and kept talking about how she was going to hell, and deserved it, and she didn't deserve God's grace saving her. He prayed for her over a period of time and when he saw her again she was quite happy, joyous in the Lord. He approached her and questioned what had changed, she told him she had realized even if God sent her to hell, she would happily go to be in His will. she later realized that it was God's will for her to be saved and spend eternity with Him.
This woman realized that seeking heaven won't bring us anything, but we should seek to follow God's will.
I had a thought about a year ago, that I still ponder upon to this day: "If I knew, for a fact, that when I die I would go to hell, would I still praise God and serve Him? If not, do I truly love God, or do I just want what He can give me?"
This is a good question I think we need to ask ourselves. It is not an easy one to answer. While I'd like to say I would continue serving Him and praising Him, I can't honestly be sure.
I do know, however, that we need to desire God, love Him truly, and serve Him, not just seek our ticket into Heaven. We will find that truly seeking God will fulfill our needs and desires, bringing us true joy. Everything else just brings temporary satisfaction, that pales in comparison.
Matt 23:25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."
Don't follow God for your own selfishness, follow Him out of love, because He loved you first. (1 John 4:9)
2 comments:
beautiful. to seek anything but god first is to rob ourselves of something far more beautiful.
sorry it has taken me a few days to get back with you on this. i did want to once again mention that i do truly appreciate you sharing this man. and this time i was more awake when i read it so i follow completely.
at any rate, you raise a very good point, "If I knew, for a fact, that when I die I would go to hell, would I still praise God and serve Him? If not, do I truly love God, or do I just want what He can give me?"
i have thought about this some since i first read this a few days ago, and i think that we are both in the same boat. i know for me personally, it is even just a struggle to praise GOD for rough patches that enter my life. if i knew i were to be forever separated from HIM, i'd love to say i'd still serve and praise HIM, but honestly i don't know if i would.
the scripture, matthew 23:25 is such a great one to remember as well.
thanks for sharing man. i look forward to catching up more soon.
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