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Profitable Things for a Christian
#1610 1214 11W An instinct of everyone is to seek profitable things that will benefit them most. Businesses, on-line ads, billboards, radio commercials, and cell phone messages constantly inform people of fantastic deals, great bargains, and how to get the most value for their money. Most people, however, do not really know what is profitable to them, and consequently desire many things that are not helpful or valuable. But if we will choose to 1 John 1:7 “Walk in the light as He is in the light,” and follow the teaching of God’s Word, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we will begin to see what is truly profitable to us—things of eternal value. The first profitable thing is to Matthew 6:33 ”Seek ye first the kingdom of God [eternal life], and his righteousness [through faith in His sacrifice]; and all these things [food, clothing, shelter] shall be added unto you.” The first profit is His righteousness—our sins are forgiven and our heart kept pure 1 Peter 1:5 “by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” That is the most profitable thing ever! A heart that is kept clean is one that started correctly, and keeps trusting in the Atonement of Christ for all faith issues. Starting right gives a foundation that enables us to meet things right. If we do not start right, it will be difficult to meet things scripturally, and our whole structure could collapse. Starting right means not tolerating anything in our life, nor doing anything that is contrary to God’s will—any attitude or decision that is in opposition to the plain teaching of Scripture. Being right with God and keeping right with Him, cannot be done in our own strength—only in God’s strength. God provides a way through sacrifice that forgives our sins, and enables us to do His will. Philippians 2:13 ”For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire.” The very life of Christ, and the same Spirit that enabled Him to do the Father’s will, is the same Holy Spirit that enables us to do God’s will.
God does not ask us to comply with His Word until we have His
Spirit within. Any obedience, apart from being inspired by the We are to truly confess and forsake every sin, and be sure we are not tolerating anything in our life that is against God’s will. We are to believe that God has forgiven us, and that our heart is cleansed from the sins of the past. At that point, the Holy Spirit is given full control, and we have Galatians 2:20 "been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” This position is maintained as the foundation of our faith. If we tolerate any sin, or if we allow Satan to convince us that we are not forgiven of sins, and not cleansed in heart, we will not be able to live according to God’s will, and will not receive the great profit that God has for His children. The apostle said 1 Timothy 4:8 “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Godliness is through a believing faith in Christ, and is not only profitable for us now in this life, but also immensely profitable when receiving eternal life. A godly life is very profitable—that is why we are to Proverbs 4:23 ”Keep [guard] thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life [it affects everything you do].” Our first thought as we begin each day is, that neither Satan nor sin has any foothold in our life, but that God has full control. This is always and only by faith. We are to believe that after we have confessed and forsaken our sins, they are forgiven and erased. If we have truly given our life to God as “a living sacrifice” Romans 12:1, then we are to believe that we are holy and acceptable to God, because we are united with His Son through His sacrifice. 1 John 1:9 ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We no longer follow the world, but are transformed by the Spirit. Romans 12:2 ”Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” By the ability God gives us, that position is retained every day and through every trial, which enables us to meet things right. King Saul started right; was filled with the Holy Spirit; and was given the gift of prophecy, but he resorted to his own plans and power when things became too difficult. He did not “die daily” to the ways of the world, as the apostle Paul says he did 1 Corinthians 15:31. When a difficult situation would come up, and the king seemed unable to connect with God’s power, he resorted to human ways and power. It eventually caused his death by suicide. It is very important to meet things according to God’s Word. Every issue of life must be met according to God’s will for our life. We owe our loyalty to Him, because He is our Creator and Purchaser. Complying with God’s will offers great profits in life. Proverbs 3:1-2 ”My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Proverbs 3:13 ”Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” This wisdom and spiritual understanding means God’s righteousness and peace through knowing His Truth and trusting in the Atonement of His Son. Proverbs 3:14 ”For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold.” The way to obtain these blessings is to Matthew 6:33 ”Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”—then those things are added to us and enjoyed by us. This includes health, healing, protection, food, clothing, peace and everything we could desire in this life. All the resources of Heaven are at our disposal when we are willing to meet things according to the Scriptures. The most profitable thing of all is to see God in person and to live with Him forever. Matthew 5:8 ”Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” If there were no other attraction in Heaven, or nothing else that would make life pleasant there, the presence of God Himself, would be our all-sufficient source of perfect bliss, blessing, and happiness. Our heart must be made pure by God, and then kept pure by our faith in Christ. As we take and maintain that attitude, all of the blessings God has for us—because of His great love for us—are allowed to flow into our life. God is able to turn the worst trouble into the greatest blessing, if we will respond to them as His Word says. King Jehoshaphat discovered how profitable it was to meet a difficult situation in the will of God. Three enemy nations were determined to destroy him and take everyone into slavery. Nothing could be worse than that, but he turned the matter over to God. The king prayed 2 Chronicles 20:12 ”O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” The Lord said 2 Chronicles 20:15 “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD;” did the rest. It took three days to carry away the spoil. It was indeed profitable to meet that situation in God’s way. It does not matter if our troubles are in the home, at work, or elsewhere; whatever happens it will be profitable to us if we ask God for His strength to meet it right, and to not resent it. Whatever is said or done to harm us, we are to do what King Jehoshaphat did—place it in God’s hands. It is harmful to seek revenge, but profitable to let God do it. Romans 12:19 ”Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord.” 21 ”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The minute we try to avenge ourselves, we have been overcome by that evil; and have taken another step toward the Lake of Fire. However, if we meet it right and place the matter in God’s hands, we have made a big stride toward God’s kingdom—as well as opening the way for blessings in this life. The Scriptures are filled with illustrations and teaching on how profitable it is to meet things in God’s way. Every time something is met in God’s way, we will see that it is spiritually profitable—resulting in contentment, comfort, and encouragement. To keep our heart pure, by not tolerating any sin, results in health and prosperity. Good health and a clean heart are always connected. Proverbs 4:20-22 ”My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings [be willing to meet things according to Scripture]. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart [be willing to do God’s will]; For they are [spiritual] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” It is a most profitable thing to start the Christian life right, have our heart cleansed from sin, and be kept pure by believing God’s Word and promises. 1 John 1:9 ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It is quite possible to be born again, and have the Holy Spirit within, but later in life to meet with something that overwhelms us, so we do not endure in the faith. We can allow that evil to overcome us, by not meeting something right. Only if we endure to the end, will we be saved from the flames. Hebrews 10:36 ”For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” The promise is the gift of life eternal—a most profitable result indeed. 38-39 ”Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
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