...Anybody but Jesus!

It takes just about no time at all to see how opposed America is against itself currently in the realm of politics. The woeful reality of particularly polarizing catch phrases have become the battle cry of each camp. For the Democrats, they may not be as enthused with their candidate as they would like...but it then comes down to....Anybody but Trump!
By the same token, more than a few Republicans are in obvious disagreement with their candidate but in like response.....anybody but Hillary!

It got me to thinking about how we "live" as religious people. I know some may already take issue with that description but I stand by it. We say that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. Yet all too often, our manner of 'servitude' is indistinguishable from our other relationships. I think we take issue with what it means to give up control and live with Christ as Lord. We don't want to seem blatantly "heathenistic" so then of course, it's good to have a god but then in that, I think we end up trying to create a hybrid deity; one who's okay with us doing what we want, but still that we'd be beneficiaries to all He wants to give us. I hate to be the one to burst bubbles but Truth needs to stand; that hybrid "god" sounds like anybody but Jesus.

I can't think of a single human relationship where, given enough time and circumstance, people will not end up deserving to lose your allegiance. They'll eventually end up on the business end of your discontentment. In getting to know people, it doesn't take long to come to the painful realization that it's proper to walk away from some people just as it's appropriate to harshly correct, or even brutishly depose some people on occasion. This "realness" becomes the fundamental psychology of relationships. In that, it’s understood as a natural and inescapable fact that people aren't perfect and will sometimes let you down. This fact is also the key to your independence - it liberates you. It makes you right to hold back from putting your trust in anyone fully. On top of that it gives you the green light to respond in kind, or run, or sulk or to laugh uncomfortably or uncontrollably. Ultimately, it's YOUR say: You decide how far it will go and when it will end. You sit on the throne of judgment in regards to your relationships.

However, a relationship with the True and Living God doesn't allow for any of that. Nope, not at all. A relationship with The Sovereign Lord keeps YOU in dependence, since it's only you who brings uncertainty, difficulty and discontentment to the relationship. You know that old break up line "It's not you, it's me."? ...this is the only relationship where Yep! it's always you. God never deserves our silent treatment, our side eye, our mean mug, our underbreath comments or our disapproving sighs.

I don't want to sound like a spoil sport but much of the news these days is heart breaking. And even more sad is the idea that we somehow have a God that we can pray to in these moments of despair - to comfort the hearts of those lives wrecked by evil, yet, once we're back to normal, we assume the genie goes back into the lamp. God’s word makes it clear (1 Peter 3:7) to husbands as to how we are to love and live with our wives with the expressed repercussion of “hindered prayers” – It’s the epitome of audacity to think that we can live so contrary to The Scriptures but then expect God to hear our prayers. 2 Timothy 3 runs down a pretty condemning list, ending with “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” I don’t doubt that these are real people who experience real tragedy and pain, but I don’t see their prayers moving God the way they would like.

So if we really believe we have a relationship over a religion; embrace the relationship. Let God REALLY have your heart, unguarded and ready to trust, fully. Strive to differentiate the relationship: We may not be as harsh vocally or quick to express heated temperament, but what about disobedient stagnation and fear? Again, this is a hard look, but its for your commendation, not your condemnation. God is not elected like a President: He is the ONLY rightful, righteous ruler. Make sure to check the THRONE of your heart. See who's there and make sure it's not anybody but Jesus.

Here's The Word;

2 Corinthians 6:14(b) - 16 for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.


In Him,
Cros