The Call to a New Life: Responding to God\'s Eternal Purpose By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
In a world filled with fleeting pleasures and temporary pursuits, we often find ourselves searching for something more substantial—a purpose that transcends our daily struggles and brings true meaning to our existence. The words presented here are a profound call from the Living God, a reminder of His boundless love and the eternal purpose He has for each of us.
This message serves as a beacon of light, guiding us away from the darkness of self-centered living and toward the glorious reality of a life lived for Him. It’s an invitation to come out of the "prison houses" of our past and embrace a future filled with His mercy, grace, and abundant life. This article will delve into the core of this divine message, exploring the nature of God's love, the expectations He has for His followers, the dangers of returning to a former lifestyle, and the incredible rewards of living a life dedicated to His eternal purposes. We will examine the contrast between following our own carnal minds and submitting to the mind of the Spirit, and we will be challenged to make a definitive choice for life over death, light over darkness, and God's way over our own.
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The Unfathomable Love and Mercy of God
The message begins with a declaration of God's love, a love that is "beyond the scope of human love." Human love is often conditional, limited, and fallible, but divine love is boundless, eternal, and perfect. It is this very love that motivates God to offer mercy to all who "will come into the same and believe upon My Son Jesus." This mercy is not earned; it is a gift freely given to those who turn to Christ.
The act of coming to Jesus is the first step in receiving this mercy, an acknowledgment that we need a Savior and that we cannot save ourselves. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This verse perfectly encapsulates the depth of God's love and the salvation offered through Jesus.
God’s call is a call to freedom, not captivity. He calls us to "come forth rejoicing in the multitude of mercies" He provides daily. This is a life of celebration, not one of somber obligation. The joy comes from understanding that we are no longer bound by our past sins and mistakes, but are now recipients of His grace.
This freedom, however, is not a license to do as we please. It is a freedom to love God in return by living our lives for His eternal purposes. This reciprocal love is the foundation of our relationship with Him. We are to live not for our own desires but for His, knowing that His purposes are far greater and more fulfilling than anything we could ever devise for ourselves. The temptation to "turn back to the former lifestyle" is a real one, but we are warned against being "deceived by the deceitfulness of the times we are living in."
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The Danger of Self-Centered Living
The message makes it clear that while God's call remains, many choose to ignore it. They believe they can "do as they please, when they please, and somehow they get by." However, the truth is that they "do not get by, for they are the ones who suffer if they choose to live for themselves rather than Me." Living for self is portrayed as living for one's "own worst enemy." This self-focused life leads to a downward spiral, "lower and lower into the abyss of destruction," ultimately resulting in "ruination." This is a stark warning against the illusion of control and self-sufficiency. People living for themselves may appear to have it all together on the surface, but inwardly, they are "full of the foolishness of their own choices and the darkness of their carnal minds." Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This verse perfectly describes the deceitful nature of following one's own understanding.
The carnal mind is our natural, unsanctified way of thinking, which is inherently at odds with God's will. It is a mind that is separated from the truth of the Spirit and relies on human logic and desires. We are explicitly warned, "Do not be trusting your own carnal mind, for the same will lead you to separation from Me and the new life that I have for you." This is a profound and serious admonition. The history of God's people is cited as a testament to this truth: when they listened to and obeyed God's true prophets, they prospered, but when they followed their own minds, they were weakened and overwhelmed. This pattern serves as a historical and spiritual lesson for us today. The solution is to receive the "mind of My Spirit" so that we can walk by it and be "kept ever alert and alive." Romans 8:6 contrasts the two minds: "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
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The Consequences of Rejecting God's Way
The message paints a vivid picture of the consequences of rejecting God's way. It speaks of God’s wrath "being rained down on those who have chosen to serve the iniquity of their own ways." This wrath is not an arbitrary act of vengeance but a natural consequence of the choices people make. The troubles and difficulties they face are a result of their own stubbornness and determination to live against God. They are "choosing the way that seems right to them" because they have "shutting out the light and partaking of the darkness." This choice is ultimately a rejection of the abundance of "light, life and love" that God offers daily.
Those who turn back from God's way and return to their former lifestyles are called "fools." They are rejecting light in favor of darkness and choosing death over life. The message is clear: "These ones will have no excuses when they stand before Me." Their own choices and abominable actions will be their condemnation. When they attempt to accuse God, their own decisions will stand as a witness against them. This is a sobering thought, highlighting the immense responsibility we have in our choices. The choices we make in this life have eternal ramifications. The idea of no justification being acceptable to God underscores the seriousness of rejecting His mercy. Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." This speaks to the peril of deliberately turning away from the known truth.
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The Path of Uprightness and Spiritual Diligence
In stark contrast to the destructive path of self-will, the message highlights the rewards of walking uprightly before God. "As you are walking uprightly before Me, then are you given exactly what you have need of to be made into the image and likeness of My Son." This is the ultimate goal of the Christian life—to be transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation is not something we achieve on our own; it is a work of God's grace, and He provides us with everything we need to accomplish it. The claim that God's way is "too hard" is dismissed as a lie from the "liar," which stems from spiritual laziness and "self-love and self-idolatry." The reality is that God gives us all the resources we need to succeed. We are called to "remain ever alert and active" for Him, knowing that He provides "all that you need to be kept in My way and brought forth in the truth."
We are warned against following the standards of the world while claiming to follow God. The two are incompatible. "You well know that no one can serve two masters then be true to them both." The path of the world is "of the devil" and leads to spiritual and natural death. The message reminds us that many will one day stand before God and see the "utter wretchedness of the lies they have accepted." We are advised not to be in fellowship with them, for they are "contaminated because they want the lies they have chosen." This is a strong call to spiritual discernment and purity. Matthew 6:24 affirms this: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
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Summary and Conclusion
This powerful message is a profound call to introspection and decision. It begins with the affirmation of God's perfect, merciful love, offered through Jesus Christ. It then lays out a clear contrast between two paths: the path of self-will and the path of submission to God's Spirit. The path of self-will, while seemingly attractive, leads to destruction, ruin, and ultimately, eternal separation from God. It is a path of foolishness, spiritual laziness, and a rejection of the abundant life God offers. The path of submission, on the other hand, is one of freedom, joy, and eternal purpose. It is a path of transformation, where God provides everything we need to become more like His Son, Jesus.
The final choice rests with each individual. The call to accept God's mercy remains, but so does the option to reject it. Those who reject will determine hell as their future abode, while those who accept and obey will come forth in newness of life, preparing for heaven as their eternal home. This message is not merely a set of rules; it is a loving plea from a God who desires a relationship with us. He is the ultimate "resource, the Alpha and the Omega," who gives us everything we need to finish the course set before us.
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A Call to Action and a Final Word of Encouragement
I urge you today to consider these words deeply. Do not be like those who turn back to their former lifestyles, believing the lies of the enemy. Instead, make a conscious, daily choice to accept the mind of the Spirit and walk uprightly before God. Be thankful for the abundant light, life, and love He offers you. Remember that God's way is not a burden but a blessing. The rewards of right standing with Him are immeasurable and will be given to you "time and again."
Have the blessed assurance of eternity with God by continuing in the way set before you with gladness and rejoicing each day. Do not allow your carnal mind to lead you astray. Instead, choose to please the One who created you and loves you beyond measure. Your eternal destiny hangs on the choices you make today.
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The Prayer of Salvation
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, or if you have turned away from Him and wish to return, you can do so now. Please pray this prayer from your heart:
"Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today just as I am. I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sins and that You raised Him from the dead on the third day. I repent of my sins and I turn away from my old way of life. I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. I invite Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to walk in Your way every day. I choose to serve You and live for Your eternal purposes. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and for giving me the gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen."
