A noble goal for 2021 is to be closer to the Lord than ever before. There is nothing in this life more fulfilling and brings more peace and joy than a closer relationship with Jesus. Rather than just being “religious” and go through the motions let’s pursue a really rich relationship with the Lord in 2021.
Jesus defines eternal life as “knowing” God. To know God is for us as His children to have an intimate relationship with Him as our loving, heavenly Father all the way from here to heaven. In John 17:3 Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”.
Here is a saying that packs a wallop of truth: IF YOU ARE NOT CLOSE TO GOD GUESS WHO MOVED? We humans are a silly and selfish lot. Many of us have wasted time seeking fulfillment and happiness by chasing after the trinkets and temptations of this life rather than spending time pursuing God’s gift of life with Him. Do you know how silly a puppy looks when it tries to bite the air when you blow in its face? I wonder if that’s how we look to God when He sees us striving after this life for fulfillment rather than pursuing a rich relationship with Jesus Christ. Listen to the words of Jesus in John 10:10, “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly”. Want fulfillment in life? Want true joy? Pursue a closer relationship with the Lord. I have lived both ways. I’ve tried lots of things that left me empty. I guarantee you that a closer relationship with the Lord will bring fulfillment to your life. I would not trade it for anything this world has to offer. Read Philippians 3:1-16 and even the brief book of Ecclesiastes if you are up for it. Then listen to Closer by Shawn McDonald.
Philippians 3:1-16
Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
Beginning January 3 (8:30-9:15 a.m.) we will begin an in-depth bible study of Hebrews on Zoom. You are welcome to join us. Contact me @ homer@whchurchofchrist.org to join in the study of this amazing book.