Article from the Minister

Moving!

Some people move just because they are tired of living in the place they are living in. Some people move to a better house. Moving necessitates some knowledge. Life is similar to moving. We are continually moving in our spiritual life. Hopefully we are going toward a better life. If we are moving toward God, then we are moving toward a home with God in heaven.

I hope you will think with me about moving closer to God. Those who want to be closer to God must know where God is! I am not talking about the ‘place’. To be nearer to God we must make a spiritual move. God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). To move near to him we must be holy. God is repulsed by sin. Therefore, we must be holy.

In this life if we are moving to a new place, we must have knowledge of where the new place is. We might get this knowledge by studying a map or by being taught by a friend. In the spiritual life, we must know how to become holy. We can do this by reading the road map (the Bible). We might be taught by a friend! We are told that faith comes by hearing the word. Jesus invites all who labor and are heavy laden to come unto him. Many who hear the word do not believe it. The word is still the guide for our way to holiness/heaven.

We must make preparation for the move. There are things which we will not move in the physical life. In the spiritual life, there are things we must leave behind. The sinful man must be left behind. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” Romans 6:6 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,” Colossians 3:5-6

In planning our move, there are things which we must move to the new life. We must keep our physical life when our body of sin is done away. Just as Jesus is our sacrifice in his death, we must be his sacrifice in our life (Romans 12:1-2). Many people, before they become a Christian, are honest, truthful, caring and have other good traits. We must take these traits as we make our move to holiness. Many people have good traits and all Christians must have these same traits. So we move some things to our new life!

One move which is hard for some new Christians is leaving the old friends and making new ones. We do not desert our old friends. Our actions and habits must change. Because we change those things, many of our old friends will not want to move with us toward holiness. In the physical life we may move to a new area. The old friends remain where they are. (1 Peter 4:4) So we make new friends in the new neighborhood. New Christians need to associate with other Christians especially during the worship services. We are commanded by God not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. (Heb 10:25). We do not forget the old friends who are living in sin. We try to reach them with the gospel. Other Christians must welcome the new ones so they will not be tempted to go back into the life of sin which they have left. This fellowship helps them to like the move toward God/heaven.

All spiritual moves are by invitation from Jesus. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30. If you need help moving, just ask any Christian!

                                                                 Love, Vernon