Nearer

One of the things I remember hearing preached over and over again when I was growing up was the message of being closer to God. Mom and dad were singers and we were in churches of all denominations. They all preached it! Get closer to God! Live so close that you have power with God. Live so close that when you pray things HAPPEN! Those preachers would have never preached that you could have a watered down relationship where you could live any way you wanted to and still please God. Yet today I hear it all the time. Some of the junk being taught today would have you believe you can do just about anything you want to as long as you go to church occasionally.

No matter what you hear today God still hasn't changed His mind about how He wants His people to live their lives. His Word has not changed. He still says His people will be a Holy people, a praying people and people who cherish their relationship with Him above anything else. He desires a close relationship with His people and He still values obedience above sacrifice.

Someone recently told me that they just couldn't stand being around those Christians who seem to always be doing right. They said they figured everybody messes up so they just don’t try too hard or take it too seriously. Unfortunately a lot of Christians have taken the “everybody messes up” stance and use it as an excuse to live however they want to. They figure it is just too hard to live right then they are offended when they get around someone who is completely dedicated to pleasing God. They figure nobody can actually live like that so those folks must be hiding something.

What if we stop looking at one another and re-dedicate ourselves to living a life that pleases God. What if we started using the words Fanny J. Crosby penned almost 150 years ago as our daily prayer; “draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord.” What if we bowed at the altar again and took our relationship with God to another level. Yes it can be done! God would not have asked His people to live right if it was something that couldn't be done. The main thing required on our part is dedication.

Yes…it requires us to make changes. Change the station on the radio from gloom, despair and agony and start feeding your Spirit on Christian music. Remember…you are what you eat. Choose your tv or video content with what would please or what might offend God in mind. It is a process but after a while you will adjust, change and become what God wants you to be. The main thing during this process is that you spend time in prayer every day, not just talking to God but also listening to Him.  

Do this along with reading God’s Word and you will find yourself closer to God than ever before. You will have more faith and rejoice when your prayers are answered. Just remember…being a Christian isn’t about keeping rules and regulations. It is about continually drawing closer to God and enjoying a personal, close relationship that is pleasing to him.    -DS