The Bible reveals the account of different lives, their strength, weaknesses, and characters. As we read, we get familiar with the individual’s peculiarity and their stand before the Lord. We will look through a few characters in the Bible and try to analyze who they are in the presence of God.
Adam and Eve were the first parents of every human being, created by God, and He placed them in an environment with lots of privilege. The Lord made their living environment comfortable with access to everything, except for the tree of life and knowledge. He forbade them from going near it. The devil came around, deceived them; they yielded by disobeying the mandate of God. They sinned, their record reveals, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12-13).
Cain and Abel made an offering to God; the Lord accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. Cain grew jealous because God accepted his brother’s offering but rejected his. As a result, Cain murdered Abel. (Genesis 4).
Now Enoch lived sixty-five years and fathered Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he fathered Methuselah, and he fathered other sons and daughters. So, all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5:21-24).
Saul became the first King of Israel; the Lord anointed him and filled him with the Spirit of God. Saul disobeyed the Lord’s command two times, the action grieved the Lord, gave up on Saul’s kingship over Israel, and removed the Holy Spirit from him.
When God disowned Saul as King, He raised for Israel David as king, to whom also He described and said, ‘’I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’’ (Acts 13:22).
Jesus Christ, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38). The above illustrations speak to us about the characters and how God calls them.
What Does God Call You?
The children of Israel were stubborn, and the Lord gave them up. (2 Kings 17:7-1In the same way, we have a name God calls us. When we become resistant to the teachings of the Lord in the scripture, the Lord gives us up as in the book of Romans chapter “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged God’s truth for the lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions, for even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” (v. 18-33).
The scripture foretells the end of every disobedience and negligence of the Word, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelations 21:8).
Where Do You Stand?
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He is our peace; He has broken down every wall and barrier between God and us. For all our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6). Our only solution to be in good standing with God is to receive and be clothed with the righteousness in Christ Jesus, an act of faith to have our name changed to the children of God. “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, and My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10).
Where do you stand? What name does the Lord call you? Do you obey or disobey His voice? Do you want your name changed in God’s presence? Remember today is the day, tomorrow may be too late, “For He says: “In an acceptable time, I have heard you, And in the day of salvation, I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV). “Then while it is [still] called Today, if you would hear His voice and when you hear it, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion [in the desert, when the people provoked and irritated and embittered God against them].” (Hebrews 3:15 AMPC).
It is time to come to the Lord and give Him your all, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37 NKJV). The world is undoubtedly passing, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17).
The Lord’s Plea
The Lord does not want to lose any soul, the reason He sent Jesus to reconcile man with God. “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.” (John 3:16). Draw near to me, and I will, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8). “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7).
The Steps for Change to Become God’s Delight
Acknowledge you are God’s enemy by inheritance from Adam and Eve. Believe Jesus died to reconcile you (all) to God. Confession your ignorance and sin, and ask Jesus to forgive you. Ask Jesus to come into your life and become your Lord and Savior, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelations 3:20). Believe He heard your prayer of invitation, and He now lives in you. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
If you took these steps, you have a new name, righteous, through the righteousness of Christ, the Lord knows you. You have the seal of the Holy Spirit within you. Continue to learn of your new faith through: A daily walk with Him in the study of the Bible, meditate, and live out the teachings. Pray always. Attend a Bible-believing Church for fellowship with like-minded. Follow the Lord in the believers’ baptism. Be ready to share about your newfound faith.