Urgency

[Woody]

Should Christians have an "urgency"?

If so - what should we be urgent about?

[Gibs]

To get to know Him and Love Him. He calls for all to,

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mt 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

When we come to really know Him all "fear" is banished and in it's place Reverence for Him who first loved us.

The greatest urgency is to take the greatest gift of all, eternal life while it is still day!

We though must come and "know" Him and love Him with all our hearts and souls.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

Thanks Gibs but as a Christian - I am going to assume that a Christian has done all of that.

So - my question is : What urgency is there for a CHRISTIAN.

[Gibs]

Since Peter so sure of himself had fallen and denied His Lord 3 times he came into deep repentance and his counsel from then on excellent.

I will post just the one verse of this chapter that puts it in a nutshell but really the whole chapter needs be read.

2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

I suppose in order to get this thread in the direction I had intended ... I would have to provide a definition of the word 'Christian'.

But to me a follower of Christ means the person is following Christ.

So what urgency does a follower of Christ have?

[Gibs]

OK, Woody, but maybe you should have laid a bit more the thoughts you wanted to dwell on. What I see is Peter too was a follower of Christ and was in person with Him and yet denied Him thrice.

First I see we must stay with Him and not fall back if at all possible and if we do we do have an advocate with the Father but that should get weaned off from the need.

Then we are to be His witnesses,

Lu 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Lu 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

Thanks Gibs. That is all very good. And I can agree with your thoughts. But - in my mind it is far to ME (inward) focused.

[Woody]

IN my mind - The greatest urgency is to share the love of God. The Good News that we are saved. There are many who do not know of this. And our lives should be focused in the urgency to share that with all whom we come in contact with.

[Gibs]

I agree with that Woody. A true Christian has His Love and he then sheds it all around. Full true love will do all things to please God and witness His Truth to all who will hear.

"Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and "God is love." 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for "all thy commandments are righteousness" (Psalm 119:172), and "love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him. {FLB 109.2}

Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat;. . . without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1. "Their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord," and, "This is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our righteousness." Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 23:6. {FLB 109.3}

Yes for sure, our righteousness is of Him. The Lord Jesus Christ is our righteousness.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[JoeMo]

Many people think importance and urgency are the same thing. To me, they are different. "Importance" relates to the criticality of an action or issue; "urgency" relates to the timing of an issue. For example, it may be important that I mow the lawn this weekend - it looks shabby. However , if I have had to use the bathroom for a couple hours (especially at my age), it's urgent that I find one now!

That being said, I find it is urgent (timing is critical) to accepting Christ and His salvation as soon as we are moved to do so. 1Cor. 6:2 tells us "I tell you, NOW is the time of God’s favor, NOW is the day of salvation."

I believe that timing of prayers are urgent. In a time of severe temptation, timing one's prayer of faith for strength to overcome temptation usually works out better (spiritually and emotionally) than guilt and a groveling prayer for forgiveness after falling to a temptation.

On the other hand, study of the Word is important. It is necessary for a progressive and successful Christian walk; but if I linger on CA right now rather than read my Bible and put off Bible study until tomorrow, my salvation is not in Jeopardy.

Does that make sense?

[Gibs]

JoeMo,

I don't find your post off base at all. Urgency is slightly different in meaning and unimportance would be an antonym.

It is true too it is of vital importance to share our Love and equally true we make our own calling and election sure.

Also equally urgent is when the Holy Spirit moves us we must be moved as He desires. We must be tender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As Christians to shed our love all around is a top priority.

And for sure,

1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gibs]

His agape Love, we need in us and shed that light all around!

Love is tops and greatest, God is Love, none are greater than He.

Here is some verses on Love, "charity" in the KJV which I use and love.

1Co 13:1 ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1Co 13:4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1Co 13:8 ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Great admonitions!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[JoeMo]

Love your last post, Gibs! The only exception I would take is that I would not call those beautiful verses admonitions - I would call them encouragements and enablements. Love - not fear - should be the primary motivation for all that we do. If we fully understood and consistently practiced "LOVE!", we would need no other commandments.

[Gibs]

That is what those verses were about admonishing or caution if you will to have love, "charity"

The only fear we are to have is the KJV version which means reverence. When we love Him with all our heart and soul the commandments have become our love to do.

We prove what we love most by what we do and don't realize it. We need to think about this aspect of our walk here and perhaps we would want to walk with Him continually as Enoch did and Jesus when He was here as one of us.

No excuses accepted, we can do it, He made the way and walked in it to show us!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.