When Will We Wake Up?

I embarked on this endeavor some time ago, yet I found myself struggling to write it. In many ways, I can relate to Saul when he encountered Jesus, who remarked, “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). This sentiment resonates deeply with me, as I have been wrestling with this challenging lesson that the Holy Spirit has been diligently attempting to impart. I acknowledge that I still have a considerable distance to cover on this path of understanding and growth.

Exploring the Old Testament for some time now has revealed a recurring theme: the cycle of Israel's transgressions followed by divine retribution or withdrawal of God's favor. This pattern serves as a poignant reminder from the Holy Spirit that we, too, are susceptible to similar consequences if we fail to adhere to God's guidance. The prophet Hosea was told by God to marry a woman of ill repute, symbolizing Israel's infidelity in pursuing other gods, prompting a critical reflection on our own lives. How often do we allow worldly distractions to overshadow our commitment to God? Are we dedicating sufficient time to engage with His Word and to pray, or do we permit our preferences and diversions to take precedence? Such behavior mirrors the act of seeking after false gods. In revisiting my great-grandmother's notes from Sabbath services, they echo the very teachings we encounter today, raising an urgent question: When will we wake up? When will we earnestly seek God with the entirety of our hearts?

Jeremiah 5: 25, “Your iniquities have turned away these things and your sins have ‎withholden good things from you.”‎ Jeremiah 6:8, “Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.”

Hosea 4:16, “For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place.” Israel faced significant hardships due to their repeated abandonment of the Lord in favor of idol worship. This pattern of disobedience led to severe consequences, as God’s judgment was evident in their history. The lessons from Israel's experiences serve as a stark reminder that if we do not fully dedicate our lives to God, we may also face similar repercussions. Recognizing the importance of unwavering commitment to divine principles is crucial, as neglecting this can lead to spiritual and moral decline. The call to fidelity is not merely a suggestion but a vital necessity for maintaining a relationship with God, ensuring that we do not stray into the pitfalls of idolatry. Revelation 3:15, 16, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” I have reached a point in my spiritual journey where I no longer wish to be cast aside or regarded as indifferent in my faith. The notion of being a lukewarm Christian is no longer acceptable to me; I recognize that my fleshly desires stand in opposition to the divine will of God, and I find myself increasingly repulsed by this carnal nature. It is my earnest desire to fully commit myself to God, to embrace a life that reflects unwavering devotion and alignment with His purpose. I seek to surpass the limitations of my earthly inclinations and embody the principles of faith I know I am called to uphold.

In one set of notes, my great-grandmother took from Bro. Miller’s Sabbath teachings, He quotes Isaiah 58:7, “…thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh (eyes)?” Her notes go on to say, “The combination of soul and spirit is what constitutes the real person. In your own spirit, you do the determining. Most of us live under a cloak of deceit most of the time. This is natural of the carnal man: to deceive himself. Even dedicated and sanctified people do this. By studying the Word of God and applying what God gives us, we can cleanse ourselves. We are actually electrical transformers; there are forces emanating from us even though we say nothing. Thoughts are broadcast; we are expressing ourselves for good or evil. It may be inspired or not. If it is inspired, it can be from two sources. This expression is called ‘Marturion’, ‘Witness’, or ‘testimony.’ These expressions are called our ‘works.’ They are moved by the ‘spirit impulses.’ In 1 Cor. 12, certain folks worshipped these spirit impulses. Paul in 1 Cor. 13, showed a better way: Charity (love). We can have all the gifts and miss the charity (love) and lose our way. We need to obey the things God has told us to do. A pure heart and a broken spirit God will in no wise despise. The ego is in all of us. We must deal with it. John puts it as ‘the pride of life.’ This is the ‘I am,’ the first law of life is to preserve self. Are you willing to be a cripple for God? To lose your identity? Ego is our greatest difficulty. To lose your identity means to complete death to self. Paul said, ‘Not I but Christ.’ Why do we want to ‘show off ’? Vanity, pride! When a thing is not done in humility, ego receives satisfaction. Pride is a gift of the devil. Prov 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” It is possible to learn many things through our expressions.”

Hosea 10:12, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.”

Forgiveness comes at a significant cost, one that was paid by God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, who offered His life to grant us this profound gift. Embracing forgiveness is not without its own price; it requires a conscious decision to follow God. When we wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to loving God, we choose to adhere to His commandments, driven by a sincere desire to bring Him joy and satisfaction. This profound love transcends mere obligation; it becomes a guiding principle in our lives, influencing our decisions and actions. By choosing to follow His teachings, we not only express our devotion but also cultivate a deeper relationship with God. This commitment to obedience stems from an understanding that His commands are not arbitrary rules but rather pathways to a fulfilling and meaningful existence. In this light, our desire to please God transforms into a source of motivation, encouraging us to align our lives with His will and to embody the values that reflect His love and grace. The act of relinquishing our personal desires can be seen as a profound expression of love and commitment to Him. This selflessness reflects a willingness to prioritize His needs and aspirations above our own, demonstrating a deep-seated devotion that transcends mere words. By setting aside our individual wants, we cultivate a relationship grounded in sacrifice and mutual respect, allowing us to align our lives more closely with His purpose. Such an approach not only strengthens our bond but also fosters a sense of fulfillment that arises from serving God. In this way, the act of giving up our desires becomes a testament to our faith and an embodiment of our dedication to a higher calling. As we navigate this path, we will find that letting go of bitterness will lead us to a state of inner peace. In relinquishing pride, we will open ourselves to grace and humility, allowing for personal growth and deeper connections with others. Furthermore, by shedding the weight of past hurts and the chains of bondage, we will ultimately receive healing and liberation, replacing our pain with a renewed sense of freedom and wholeness.

To fully experience the indwelling presence and the abundant fruits of the Holy Spirit, a ‎transformation in our behavior is essential. We must strive to avoid the pitfalls exemplified ‎by the children of Israel, who, in their discontent, turned away from God. We must cease ‎the practice of judging and condemning one another, as this only serves to create division ‎and strife. Instead, we should commit to surrendering every aspect of our lives to Jesus ‎and the Holy Spirit. If we allow Him to, the Holy Spirit will change us from the inside out. I include myself in this call for change, acknowledging my own ‎shortcomings and the areas where I fall short. The reflections I share stem from the ‎insights the Lord has graciously revealed to me regarding my own missteps. My earnest ‎prayer is to remain attentive and obedient to His guidance, as I aspire to be wholly ‎surrendered and devoted to God’s will.‎

Jeremiah 32:37-41, “Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.”

To fully realize the abundant promises that lie ahead, it is essential for us to engage in a profound act of surrender to our Creator. This surrender is not merely a passive acceptance but an active and conscious decision to relinquish our own desires and control, allowing ourselves to be guided by a higher purpose. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of faith, which can lead to a deeper understanding of our place in the universe and the divine plan that unfolds before us. Embracing this act of surrender requires courage and trust, as it often involves stepping into the unknown and letting go of preconceived notions about our lives. In this journey, we may discover that true fulfillment comes not from our own efforts alone, but from aligning ourselves with the greater wisdom and love that our Creator embodies.

  James 4, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. “

Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

Hebrews 4: 15, 16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; ‎but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly ‎unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.‎”

Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” I pray that each of us will be one of those few who are chosen.