Man vs. God
1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
Now look at James 4:4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Humanism is a dangerous thing and it has crept its way into the church. Whenever we take the focus off of God and put it on us, we’ve already lost the fight. I am not saying people don’t matter, not in the least. What I am saying is you cannot have the strength of God and the strength of man coinciding. Humanism is simply exalting man above God. Though it is disguised as empowering and uplifting to people who are weak, it is another tool of self-absorption. This time we live in is the epitome of self-absorption, therein revealing one of the greatest reasons for the waning of the power of God.
Man is not stronger, nor ever will be, than God. However, God does not force Himself or His way upon anyone. I was called from my mother’s womb to be a pastor, but I had to get in line with His will in order for it to ever come to pass. Walking with God is always a choice and many fail to ever realize its importance in their lives and the lives of others.
In the few years that I have pastored, I have already seen trends that my pastor always told me I’d see. People come to God when there’s nowhere else to turn, and some leave as soon as they get what they want. People will get help in some areas through the Word but reject others because they don’t like what it says or because it’s “too hard”. God doesn’t fail people but people time and time again fail God. I am not talking about all people. Some people come in, get connected, and never look back. Others continually reject God then blame Him for not coming through for them.
I have seen people live in discord and reject His body, then wonder why they don’t see healing in their own. I’ve seen people who know what’s right, refuse it, then suffer calamity, questioning God as to why. I have also seen people healed of cancer, depression, various injuries, drug addiction and more, and live fruitful lives serving God. God is love and He loves unconditionally but so often we confuse that with what He’s willing to do.
Think about it like this: imagine you had a family member that abused drugs or had a gambling addiction. This person spent every penny that they got on on their addiction without even a consideration. Would you give them money if they asked for it? If you did, you would be just as, if not more, liable for their trouble as they are. God is the same. We don’t always recognize God’s blessing because most of it goes unseen. You won’t know until you stand before Him how many times He sent angels to save you or had someone faithful praying for you. He blesses us greatly all the time, but the fullness of His blessing comes when we submit our lives to Him.
It’s sad, but I have seen many who will choose just about anything over God. Sure they believe in Him, sure they go to church once in a while, but these are people that will drop it all, and instantly at that, for frivolous things. People will skip church for nice weather or a myriad of other things not caring in the least that maybe someone needs their faith there that Sunday. They will spend money on toys and trips and clothes not considering that someone’s salvation was attached to that building project or new church plant.
It’s time that the whole Body of Christ jumped on board the same train. It’s time that we all contend for what God wants. It’s time we change our focus to see God’s plan and then see it through to the end. Don’t desire the power of God just because you need it, desire it because He gave it to help all people. Don’t just seek God’s hand and what He can do for you; seek His face and watch what He will do for you!
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
