There is always a reason, but is it mine or the Living Gods?
The path we walk in this life, how can the man of God justify within himself that it is the path that has been chosen for him by the Lord, that it is not one of his own design that he believes is glorifying the Almighty but is indeed that way that he has been placed on for His glory?
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)
Character, integrity, honesty, the man who can control his appetites, the desire of the flesh, does this describe a man of God, or simply an upright and good man of the world?
The man who cares for and provides for his family, who seeks no ill will towards any, who is conscience of other’s needs, who is sincere in his words and his actions follow these words. Does this describe the man of God, the man chosen as a vessel for His glory?
“Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.” (Psalm 109:10)
A man after God’s own heart.
“And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” (Exo. 2:12)
The servant of God.
“Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.” (Gen. 12:13)
The friend of God.
Throughout the Scriptures, are these and other examples men of God who simply made mistakes, whose character and integrity needed to be modified as they grew in the grace and knowledge of the Almighty, or were they men who never strayed from the path?
Is the love we offer to all an indication of our salvation, the actions we follow after offering that love, does that prove a man is hid in Christ? Kind, gentle, loving, good hearted men who sought for nothing for themselves in this life will stand in the same place that those who professed His Holy name with their lips will stand, those who will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matt. 7:22)
The reason that you do what you do, who is it for, you or the Lord, and if for the Lord, how can you prove that?
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)
If it is the amount of people that are listening to you, then the Romanist would be considered as greater offerors of the truth, than these short letters. If it is the things of this world that you have accumulated, then the prosperity preachers would be seen as righteous. If it is an emotional uplifting moment, then every Charismatic would be seen as producing fruit worthy of acceptance by the Most High.
How can one be confident in the fact that they are a chosen vessel of God, sent to offer truth to those who will listen if it is not revealed as a feeling, possessions, followers or any other means that this world can offer or our deceitful heart might perceive?
If you would care to offer the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, then you must realize that these can easily be feigned by man, if it is some miracle seen, then Romans 1:17 would not be a truth. “The just shall live by faith.” If it is by a prophetic future event foreseen and established, speaking in tongues, handling snakes, or any other physical event, then the Word of God is not true. “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1st Cor. 13:8)
How do you know without a doubt that what you are doing for the glory of God is actually for Him, that it is the Holy Spirit working through you, solely to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
You know, because He has told you, you know because you seek nothing for yourself, because it does not matter to you if you receive any accolades or recognition. You know because you know you are not worthy to even unlatch His shoes, much less be used for His glory.
