We found him running away from infantile indulgences, running after mature righteousness - faith, love, peace, joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refusing to get involved in insane discussions, they always end up in fights. He had a desire to become God’s servant, therefore he could not be argumentative, but a gentle listener. If he would be a teacher, he had to keep his cool, working firmly, but patiently, with those who refuse to obey. He never knew when God might sober them up to change their heart, and turning to the truth, enable them to escape the devil’s trap. Yes, it was a young man like this and multiplied thousands more who have ceased to run errands for the one they were held captive by. He could not have done this without help from on high.
Yes, he was on the run, but the Word of God became a harness that slowed his pace and changed his taste from feeding upon the world’s menu to a palate that enjoyed the taste of heaven. He was a young man who gave heed to the Word of the Lord. His desire was that no one would be able to look down on him because of his youth, but he wanted to become an example and set a pattern for other believers in speech, in conduct, love, faith, and in moral purity.
Yes, he was running, but then the Holy Spirit kept bringing up questions to him from the Word of God, such as: “How can a young person live a clean life?”. BY CAREFULLY READING THE MAP OF YOUR WORD.
He became single-minded, in pursuit of the Lord. He began to recognize the road signs God had posted. He banked promises from God in the vault of his heart so he wouldn’t sin himself into spiritual bankruptcy. Being blessed by God, he prayed to train me in your ways of wise living.
He transferred to his lips all the counsel that comes from the Lord’s mouth; His delight was far more in the Lord’s counsel about living than in gathering a pile of riches. This started when he was on the run and began to ponder every morsel of wisdom from God. He attentively watched how he had done this. He relished everything the Holy Spirit told him of life. He refused to forget a word of it.
When he was on the run, he lived without the witness of the Spirit of God in his life and because of this, he was vulnerable to deception. He even thought at times that some ways which appeared to be right could end in death. He learned early on in youthful pursuit for pleasure that it is possible to believe a lie, and a seared conscience can be a false guide. It was then, as he considered the end of his race, that he chose to listen to the witness he had been given, and God was able to enlarge his life through divine assurance. He had the assurance of Divine acceptance, the knowledge that he was being conformed into Christ’s image, and the blessed assurance that nothing could separate him from the Father’s love.
As one great preacher proclaimed, and the truth of this statement is proof positive, neither time nor eternity can breach the security we have in the Savior’s love. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself, but he certainly can speak to us; and my question is, have you heard his voice lately?
In closing, Christ was Spirit born, Spirit sealed, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and we can live in this sphere of His of Presence. Could it be that you, like the young man, have taken a similar path to become what God desires of your life? I believe in you!
Your loving pastors,
Cleddie and GayNell Keith