Written on July 13th, 2011 - 3:00AM Last Updated: July 14th, 2011 - 12:54PM
Do you have a desire to be right, and do right? I don't mean “be right” in the sense of being a know-it-all, but rather to have your very existence be the right way, to be what you are supposed to be. To choose the right thing and reject what is wrong. God is preparing somewhere special for you, an eternal city for you and all those who feel the same way as you.
You have probably realized by now that not everyone feels like you do. Most people don't care about right or wrong, and live merely by their senses, slaves to whatever they feel at the moment (Deuteronomy 12:8-9). Those same people are likely the ones that have given you the most trouble in your life.
Shunned, castigated, disparaged, ignored, persecuted... all we have experienced these at the hands of those who do not wish to be righteous. We are different than other people and we are made to feel that way in no uncertain way. We who have that desire within us, to be right, to do right, will never find a comfortable home in this age, on this earth. But this is not the end. You don't need despair, as though somehow things just aren't fair and there is no answer... because, there is a love for you deeper and wider and more eternal than any evil thing you have endured for wanting righteousness.
There have been others like us that have gone through so much worse, for the same reason. In their days, their desire for righteousness led them into the wilderness, as they were persecuted out of their very own cities and peoples. But it was the world that was not worthy of them.
They, and you, may feel as though you are not worthy to live in this world, that you don't measure up to its requirements. And that is true, in a way—for this world, this present age, does not value what is right. It lifts up evil, and mocks good. It prizes arrogance and rejects humility. It clenches its fist toward its Maker, and walks in the stubbornness of its fleshly mind (Romans 1:18-32). But this world is not worthy of those who are driven out of it for their clinging to trust in that Maker.
35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. 37They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. (Hebrews 11:35-38)
This portion of scripture, especially the last part, has always deeply affected me. They were so despised that they had to wear the skins of animals and live on the outskirts of civilization. They had no place to call home while they lived here on earth.
But, glory to God, that was not the end! Their sojourn in this life was a testimony to us and to all who have seen the end of their life, that it was proof of the faith in their hearts—Yahweh was their Lord, what He said was true, and anything and anyone contrary to that did not cause them to waver. For that, they suffered rejection from this world and its people. And for that, they obtained a far better reward, place in a city to come whose designer and builder was God Himself.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen{TR adds "and being convinced of"} them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Do not despair. You are not alone. A remnant has preceded you, with a like mind, whose heart is pure toward God. There is also a group of people just like you, alive on earth right now (1 Peter 5:8-10). Yes, you make mistakes along the way, but your heart is true, it is set toward Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth. Your trust is in Him, for He made all of these things.
Although this world and its rulers have rejected its Maker, and you will find no lasting residence here, know that this is indeed only a sojourn. Those who have come before us are waiting for us. Together, we will complete the people that God has foreseen, a people formed to be a Bride for His Son (Titus 2:11-14).
39These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn't receive the promise, 40God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40)
You were never supposed to get things exactly how they were supposed to be on this earth (Romans 8:20-25). It is impossible, as sin continues to reign unto death through this age (1 Corinthians 15:26). There will never be peace here until that same Maker returns for His harvest, coming for you and all those who love Him and wait for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Those who reject this evil, cold and heartless age—for them who reject such, there is waiting a city where they will be welcomed; where they will be warmed, respected, and exalted.
By the Name of Jesus, we are saved out of this sham of a world! Through His grace, we need not flounder in this sad substitute that God never intended as though this is all there is... but we wait, in patient faith, for that City whose Mayor is proud to have us a citizen and resident: Yahweh Himself! Keep the faith, this is only a short journey!
As you read this site, you will hopefully come to know Yahweh more fully.
But all of this continuing knowledge is useless unless and until you come into union with Him. I use the word union because it is truly a marriage. It is that deep connection we all seek, for which we most often look in other people. However, the truth is that our hearts will only be fulfilled when we enter that union in fullness with the One Who made us.
This is the grace of God, that He has not stayed distant for us only to worship as Creator. But He has come unto us, even become one of us—in His Son, ChristJesus—in order to share an intimate union with us. He desires such closeness that it truly will envelope our entire life, transforming us into something new and wonderful.
You may have already entered this union with Him and only seek to know Him better through reading here. But if you have not, as you do read, let this Gospel sink into your heart as you read it now.
God loves you, and has cast your sins into the sea. He has sent His only Son as the Savior of the world—that includes you.
That Son, JesusChrist, was born as a man through a virgin who had given her life to Yahweh; He lived without sin, reflected the glory of His Father, God, in all His words and deeds, and was persecuted even unto death because of it.
His death upon a cross was the powerful explosion that separated you from your life of death. It remains for you, now, to enter into that death with Him. As you die to the one you are now, a person separated from God from your many sins, you will be born anew, with a nature predisposed to live rightly. This gift is free to you, with nothing you can do to earn it. It is the mercy of God to offer it to you, as He loves you so much! All you must do is receive it by trusting Him to have delivered you. Simply place your life in His hands and embrace the freedom that came through that death on the cross.
The Gospel is that Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again on the third day after His crucifixion! Death could not hold Him, as He was without sin. And so death will not be able to hold you, as you identify with Him fully through your trust in Him. Let go of yourself and confess Him as Lord of your life. The power of His death and resurrection will work in you all that your Creator has destined for you. You will truly enter a new life and experience that intimate union you have been seeking all of your life.
So ponder these words as you read here of this great God—Yahweh—and all that He has revealed to His creation. Let His Spirit testify to your heart that these words are true, that God is Love, and that He sent His Son so that you might receive the life that is unbound by time and space. As you feel that witness in your heart, simply believe and receive what He is offering to you, even now, and begin your new life as a child of God.
Please write to me and let me know when you take this step, as I will be your brother in Christ—we will be one in Him!
8Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. 10But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by ChristJesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:8-10)
Scripture Quotes: World English Bible Translation.
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