September 30, 2026, the 273rd day of 2026
Close to the Kingdom
Some people are so close to God, but they are worshipping the wrong thing. Giving glory to one who does not deserve it and did not giv... View MoreSeptember 30, 2026, the 273rd day of 2026
Close to the Kingdom
Some people are so close to God, but they are worshipping the wrong thing. Giving glory to one who does not deserve it and did not give life to us is idolatry. It is giving what is meant for God alone, to another.
Idolatry is a sin that separates many an otherwise good person from God.
These people are almost there. They are at the doorstep, but they are too distracted to see the door, and enter.
Jesus is that door. He stands ready to offer admittance, but they need to change their perspectice to see Him. Otherwise they will die in ignorance, mere steps away from eternal life.
They believe in being good. They believe in fair play. They take care of their own and do not neglect to help others. They appreciate what they have as they got it through hard work and sacrifice.
They appreciate what is given to them because they know another had to work to earn the money, or taken the the time it took to make it.
They make vows and remain faithful to them. If it is a marriage vow they are there in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They would never betray their spouse or neglect their family.
They already believe so much. They already do so much of what God commands, but they have not turned to Him. They are looking away from Him.
They are so, so close! It is almost painful to see how close they are, and yet how far they still remain. Because they are not looking at the right place. Their perspective is off.
Because no matter how good you are, that will not do. No one is righteous enough to pay for the sins of thoughts, words and deeds. And idolatry alone will keep you from the Kingdom of God, because if someone or something else is your god, you are not of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven.
You see the wonder of creation all around you. It awes you. It inspires you.
Instead of looking at nature and glorifying nature, change your perspective and glorify God, the Creator of nature.
Instead of glorifying destiny, fate, luck or some other such force, change your perspective and glorify God Who has set things in motion and sustains and keeps the world going until He purposely ends it. Be thankful that He gave you free will and you can choose, not be the slave of uncaring forces.
Because besides God's Kingdom are the enemies of God. There are forces of darkness and a kingdom of darkness that disguises itself as light and goodness. But it is a deception, so something is always off. It is hard to feel it when you are in the midst of it, because you don't know the pure light of Jesus, but it can be detected if you seek the truth.
There is enough undercurrent of darkness that it can be understood by any seeking truth. Jesus is the truth and will light the way to anyone who truly is seeking.
We have free will. It is a blessing because it gives us a choice. It is a responsibility because we must choose. If we fail to choose God's way, we remain under the curse of sin. Our righteousness will never be enough to overcome our sin.
Sin separates us from God. Jesus, the only Begotten Son of God--God in the flesh--paid the debt of the sin of the world on the cross. He overcame death in His resurrection.
Realizing that we are sinners--even the best of us, with the best of intentions--is the first step. It is the step that makes us realize that we need to be saved, to be redeemed, because we are unable to do it ourselves. We need to repent. And to repent we need to admit that we have sinned against God.
Repenting is not just feeling sorry for our sin, but turning away from it and turning toward King Jesus to not only cleanse us from our sin, but to make of us a new creation, an eternal one. But that is not possible without the next step.
Completely surrendering our life, our all, to Jesus as our Lord, our Master, our King is essential. If we just feel sorry and want to be forgiven and cleansed, but we do not want to surrender to Jesus, we won't be saved. Jesus can only be our Saviour if He is our King.
Many false converts exist because they felt the conviction of sin, they asked to be forgiven and cleansed. They said a prayer that was only words to them, not from their heart. They did not in reality surrender to Jesus.
Since they did not fully surrendered to Jesus they remain on the side of darkness and death, not on the side of light and life. The new creation comes with surrender, not before it. The Holy Spirit seals the new child of God after surrender, not before it.
It is not hard. The hardest part is done in choosing the truth and stepping into it. God reads the heart and the intents of thr heart. That is why He can save someone who merely says, "Jesus, save me a sinner," because the rest is in their heart. The repentance, the turning and the surrendering are already done in their heart.
While others, speaking perfectly prepared prayers, with no heart to follow Jesus, remain unsaved.
Jesus wants you to come. He will do all He can to help those who ask for help. He will bring people into your life who have the answers. He can lead you to a post or a channel to help you. He can come in dreams. Jesus is not limited. He is God.
But you must be seriously seeking. Jesus will not be deceived. You have to come in truth. You have to mean it! And you have to choose Him!
Stay strong! Eternal life is so close to so many who never find it. Seek and you will find!
NAN
