COUNTLESS

In this article, you will read about how i break God’s heart. Difference between covenant and contract ? Learn the importance of tools. We can feel God’s presence, but ever wonder how God makes His emotion felt? How this become so practical and relevant ?

COVENANT VS CONTRACT

A relationship can become a covenant. Marriage is a covenant. An eye-opening research i have done before writing this article makes me realise that covenant is about exchange of persons, as opposed to contract, which is about exchange of promises. God uses tools at His disposal to carry out certain plans, e.g., S.O.A.P. is a tool to get you in a deeper relationship with God. In this context, God uses covenant as a tool to build and direct His relationship with man. God treats every marriage as a covenant, NOT A CONTRACT. It is a lifelong relationship, for better, for worse. This is demonstrated in the selfless sacrifice of His own and only Son in person on the cross. Biblically, our relationship with Him is always represented by the Bridegroom and the Bride. It goes beyond the blood oath that some people use. Married couples have no idea what they are saying, or even suggesting divorce, trivially, whenever they are in fit of anger with one another, especially if they are Christians. Being long-suffering, God’s heart break countless times across the globe every time a careless word as divorce is suggested, or executed, intentionally. A lot to write about covenant. Covenant is not my intent of this writing, but somehow, i am led to.

I CHOSE YOU

A wise bridegroom does not simply choose anyone to be his bride, and vice versa. He spends time knowing & deepening His relationship with his soon to be bride. If you read your Bible, many times, God chose who to cross path with Jesus.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

John 15:16 NLT

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 NLT

Meaning … are there, those who are not chosen ? But hang on, does not God love us all while we were yet sinners ? ( It reminded me of the question someone asked me during my online Transformation class i conduct regularly :-))True, and Salvation is also for all . However, being an omniscient, God knows the heart of the people, Christians included, who WILL, eventually, reject him, or choose not to respond to His Word, meaning live out His word. Those are the foolish bridesmaids(CHRISTIANS) as mention in Matthew 25; door closed on them, and being left behind, which, i often describe as, tragically, so close yet so far.

RESET MY RELATIONSHIP

Though being a Christian for decades, sadly, i did not know God…curiously, enthusiastically and intentionally. Yes, usually, people do not feel the urge to have an intimate relationship with God until something bad, like financial or health crises, start happening to them. Yes, for years, i had ignored His countless promptings, as insignificance or coincidences. A series of seasonal valley experiences had awaken me to reset my relationship with the Word. Something i  mentioned in my past articles, i went back to basic, reading the Word myself.

LEARNING ABOUT HIS CHARACTERISTICS BECOMES ALIVE

While mining for the truth, i discover His characteristics and emotions. They are like a magnet that attracts and causes me to deepen my relationship with Him. Just like you, not attracted by people’s outward appearance or possessions, but inner qualities. Though the Word does not label every characteristic, but by His actions, you can discern. God revealed His characteristics through past dealings with human. Likewise, God allows you to go through situations so that you can know Him, importantly, understand the real meaning of Romans 8:28, and sometimes, empathise with Him. With this, let me share with you my vulnerability, on how i break God’s heart.

He reveals empathy through my role as a father, dealing with my children. No children are born with halo. Countless times, my growing children have broken my heart, but they would say sorry… yes countless times over the same, or different mistakes. Should i neglect or give them silent treatment in my anger?  Should i forgive them?

Almost immediately, the scene of a journey between God the Father and the ‘saint’, the child of God, or simply, the good old Charles, just switches over. 

“How many times you have sinned against Me?” A gentle, but firm & convicting voice of God fade in my mind.

“God, i used to count, but now, it is countless as i age.” Sheepishly but wittily, i answer.

“Similarly, how many times you have grieved My Spirit and broken My heart.” He continued.

“Yes, i am sorry.” The moment i said this, the rooster crows …not really, just an awakening expression that strikes me when Peter denied Christ 3 times. i guess i just need to be told and reminded. Am i different from my kids? Are we not all the same? Perhaps, it is just me.

When you are Spirit-filled, you just cannot escape this laser focus and surgical precision type of conviction from God. Nevertheless, being Spirit-filled brings tonnes of benefits, it rights the wrongs, heals relationships, eventually better health, etc. No, i am not there yet, BUT i am pressing on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling me –Philippians 3:14. 1 step backward, 2 steps forward. Onward for Christ as one reader’s encouragement for me (THANK YOU, BRO)!

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. Romans 5:20 NLT

Let us be merciful to one another just as our God is merciful to us. 

Read this powerful parable that once Jesus taught His disciples more than 2000 years ago. The word of God, truly, works like a double edged sword. 

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

God is the forgiving and generous father in the parable of Prodigal Son. Has God ever given you a situation so that you can relate, & experience a taste of how He feels?

If you want a system to help you read the Word on your own, or need 1 on 1 support, do not hesitate to message me, admin@charleskwtan.com