Living In Fear of God
"For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us." 1 Thessalonians 5:9
I read something this week that didn't set well with me. I have pondered it and prayed about it throughout the week. It was an article suggesting that Christians should not participate in any form of yoga because it's roots are Hindu and doing the various stretches are ways of worshiping the Hindu gods. The comments that followed this article varied greatly but the ones that made me start thinking and praying were the ones regarding God's wrath. Many people quoted Old Testament Scriptures about God's wrath being poured out on people who worshiped idols and compared that to Christians who do yoga. The first thought that came to my mind was "the hearts intents and motives". Any and everything we do in life comes back to what our motive and intent is behind the action. "People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives." Proverbs 16:2
God is the only one who can see our heart and know our motives. There are definitely things in life you just need to stay away from, things, that to dabble in would mean your heart is not in line with Gods but something like yoga, a way to get good low impact exercise, to strengthen your body and keep you healthy, I truly believe is fine as long as you are doing it solely for the exercise and aren't doing it to worship any gods. In fact I believe time spent in yoga, could also be a time of prayer and meditation on God's Word and promises, which would be worshiping Him! A win for the body and the soul! It's all about where your heart is, and only you and God can know that for sure.
I also want to address the "wrath of God" that I saw mentioned in the comment section of this article. Yes God has righteous anger toward all evil and wickedness. Yes God punishes evil and wickedness. These are undeniable truths in God's Word but God made a way for his wrath against sin to be satisfied and that is through the birth and death of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. That was Jesus purpose of coming to earth, to pay that price that God required for sin, for everyone who will believe. "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9
God doesn't want anyone to face his anger and judgement for sin, that's why he sent Jesus. He gave us a way out! He is a very patient God who gives people many many opportunities to turn from their sins and repent and accept that free gift of salvation. So many choose not to do this and yes they will face God's judgement."In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction." Romans 9:22 For those of who have turned to Him and repented and asked Jesus to be our Savior we are no longer under God's judgement and wrath. Jesus blood on the cross has saved us from this. We do not need to live in fear of God's judgement and anger. We need to live in healthy fear, aka- reverence, respect and honor, of God, understanding what we have been saved from. The more we get to know the Lord through His Word and attending a Bible teaching church we will better understand how great His love is for us and in turn we will want to live a life pleasing and honoring to Him, not out of fear of his anger but out of an outpouring of the love we have for him because He first loved us. "This is real love- not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:10
I read something this week that didn't set well with me. I have pondered it and prayed about it throughout the week. It was an article suggesting that Christians should not participate in any form of yoga because it's roots are Hindu and doing the various stretches are ways of worshiping the Hindu gods. The comments that followed this article varied greatly but the ones that made me start thinking and praying were the ones regarding God's wrath. Many people quoted Old Testament Scriptures about God's wrath being poured out on people who worshiped idols and compared that to Christians who do yoga. The first thought that came to my mind was "the hearts intents and motives". Any and everything we do in life comes back to what our motive and intent is behind the action. "People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives." Proverbs 16:2
God is the only one who can see our heart and know our motives. There are definitely things in life you just need to stay away from, things, that to dabble in would mean your heart is not in line with Gods but something like yoga, a way to get good low impact exercise, to strengthen your body and keep you healthy, I truly believe is fine as long as you are doing it solely for the exercise and aren't doing it to worship any gods. In fact I believe time spent in yoga, could also be a time of prayer and meditation on God's Word and promises, which would be worshiping Him! A win for the body and the soul! It's all about where your heart is, and only you and God can know that for sure.
I also want to address the "wrath of God" that I saw mentioned in the comment section of this article. Yes God has righteous anger toward all evil and wickedness. Yes God punishes evil and wickedness. These are undeniable truths in God's Word but God made a way for his wrath against sin to be satisfied and that is through the birth and death of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. That was Jesus purpose of coming to earth, to pay that price that God required for sin, for everyone who will believe. "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9
God doesn't want anyone to face his anger and judgement for sin, that's why he sent Jesus. He gave us a way out! He is a very patient God who gives people many many opportunities to turn from their sins and repent and accept that free gift of salvation. So many choose not to do this and yes they will face God's judgement."In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction." Romans 9:22 For those of who have turned to Him and repented and asked Jesus to be our Savior we are no longer under God's judgement and wrath. Jesus blood on the cross has saved us from this. We do not need to live in fear of God's judgement and anger. We need to live in healthy fear, aka- reverence, respect and honor, of God, understanding what we have been saved from. The more we get to know the Lord through His Word and attending a Bible teaching church we will better understand how great His love is for us and in turn we will want to live a life pleasing and honoring to Him, not out of fear of his anger but out of an outpouring of the love we have for him because He first loved us. "This is real love- not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:10
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