The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 4:8,
"Come near to God and he will come near to you."
No one is more welcoming than our loving and kind God. It is his agenda to populate his kingdom for all eternity from this world. He has mankind busy here making babies and then he equips and sends out those who have responded to his invitation to take his offer to all in the world.
He doesn't take just anyone. Only those who respond to his invitation by faith are welcome into his kingdom. We all make our choice. His offer is to all and all have an opportunity to join his family. The reason the Lord has held off his return to planet Earth, bringing this age to a close, is that he is building his kingdom, seeking everyone. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.
We come near to God by embracing him in faith. Placing our trust in him. Of himself, Jesus Christ said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. All come into this world as lost sinners, members of a mankind that has turned its collective back on its Creator and gone its own way. He stretches out his hand to us all as all have come into this world as lost.
I am reminded as well, that as believers, we also need to draw near to God continually in order to live lives pleasing to God. The do-gooders would have us all following a list of "dos and don'ts". Paul tells us such a pursuit is destined to fail at bringing about changes in our lives. He tells us in Colossians 2:23-3:2, "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." In other words, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."
Paul told the Athenians God is near, engaging in what will hopefully draw us to him. "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27. No one is more welcoming than our loving and kind God!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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