I was faced with returning to the world, or going and serving Jesus and I returned to the world (lost?)

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Gottservant

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Hi there,

So this is the problem: I was faced with returning to the world, or going and serving Jesus and I returned to the world. Now, I am aware of a couple of scriptures here: one, Jesus said to the man who had legion "go back to your home town and tell them what God has done for you and how He has had compassion on you" (gospels, from memory); two, God said "honour your father and mother, that it may go well with you, all the days of your life" (OT, from memory) and three, Jesus said "no one can plunder the strongman's goods, unless he first binds the strongman" (gospels, from memory). So I was faced with this choice, right, and I say in my heart "first I will work out where God wants me to go, and then I will leave the world" and I return to the world and I realise that I am still in the world and two things occur to me: one, "someone who is a friend of the world, hates God" (NT, from memory); two, "because of you, everyone returns to their own house" (OT, from memory). So I feel like there isn't time, to weigh up where to go for the Lord and I am in danger of sinning, by becoming complacent about what God is asking?

You can see this needs prayer, right? I just get the idea that we don't obey God in a piecemeal fashion and if we hate God, we need to tell Him so - before the relationship is lost. Like being in the world, tests our relationship with God, right? I feel like there is some spiritual angle I am not getting, because I am not setting out to fight with God; I actually have plans to serve God in the world, I just can't do them "right now". Is God going to wait because I can't do something "right away"? That's basically my question! I think it comes down to the Devil, like can I resist the Devil, on the way to doing God's will? Jesus said "settle with your adversary, on the way", maybe the problem isn't God, it's the Devil? The Devil will certainly try any angle, to get in the way of commitment that is coming and I ought to have confidence that Jesus will do something about it, right?

Again, I think it needs prayer. I appreciate that you may have council and prayer to offer, so thank you for both.

Thanks.
 

Taken

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I actually have plans to serve God in the world, I just can't do them "right now". Is God going to wait because I can't do something "right away"? That's basically my question! I think it comes down to the Devil, like can I resist the Devil, on the way to doing God's will?
Thanks.

I think you are seeming to approach service unto God as a Burden…meaning in sorts, seems as IF ….
You are busy with Life, Necessities…
And ….
Don’t have time to MAKE a “billeted” list of things to do to please “serve” God…
But once you research, make that list, you can carry it around with you….to remind you what to do on a regular basis??

Serving God, IS solely about Belief IN and LOVE FOR Him above ALL other things and “righteous” Behavior that Glorifies Him.

“Righteous” behavior… doesn’t require you to, change your normal routine, (work, shopping, cleaning, etc.)

“Righteous” behavior…. Is about your “interaction” with OTHER PEOPLE…family, friends, strangers….”from a spur of the moment, greeting, smile, offer to lend a hand, charity”….
AND…the “GIVING of Glory to God”….
“IS” simply….extending the Blessing of God to an other…

Every time; from the smallest to the largest “thing”….greeting to lending a hand….and an other responds with a greeting…a Thank “YOU”… THAT IS your opportunity to “give God the Glory”….God bless them…Gods blessing made it possible for YOU to aid another…(opening a door, carrying groceries, changing a tire, offering a can of fuel, etc. etc. )…

Glory to God,
Taken
 
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Taken

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I think what it is, is that my "returning to the world" has to die.

There are “humans”:
“IN” the world…
And …
“OF” the world…

“IN” the world….applies to those “IN” Christ, (already Forgiven, already soul Saved, already spirit Quickened….aging until physical bodily death and soul and spirit become received into Heaven.)
** Those having been MADE…”IN” Christ…CAN Never fall away from FAITH, and return to being … “OF” the world.
** THEIR physical BODY, already being “ACCOUNTED DEAD…crucified with Jesus.

“IN” the world…ALSO applies to those “WHO BELIEVE IN God, BELIEVES IN “Jesus” existence being a Prophet…(BUT NOT THE CHRIST, Son of God)….that THEY HOPE, to be MADE: forgiven, soul saved, spirit quickened and become soul and spirit received into Heaven, after their physical bodily death.
** While STILL physically Bodily ALIVe…Those CAN fall away from FAITH and return to being “OF” the world.

“OF” the world…applies to those “who” have NO relationship with the Lord God, and the totality of their natural bodily existence revolves “exclusively” around, SECULAR knowledge, ideas, philosophies, works, etc. without a consideration or interest in the Lord God.


Glory to God,
Taken
 

ShineTheLight

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I think what it is, is that my "returning to the world" has to die.

Every Christian is going to have the temptation or struggles separating from the world. It's going to be a fight. A daily battle. That's why the bible says in Timothy to fight the good fight of faith.

I am praying for you. I pray that God/Jesus helps you about the issue, and to give you knowledge and understand on things.
 
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Gottservant

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It has dawned on me that perhaps I was not ready to step into the world. Jesus said a couple of times "My time has not yet come".

Maybe I should be waiting for my time to 'come'? It would be worth praying for, that's true!
 

Ronald David Bruno

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So this is the problem: I was faced with returning to the world, or going and serving Jesus and I returned to the world
I just wondered how did God call you to do work for Him and what specifically was it that you changed your mind about?
We make decisions everyday about life, worldly things we do or don't do, serving or loving others or choosing not to.
It is not just one call, it's many isn't it. Honestly, I say no to things I think I should do but that isn't sin is it? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
I'm retired. I used to think when I was retired, maybe I'd go on a mission. Well, I said no, I'll just stay here. I didn't hear God's voice telling me to or feel Him nudging me to do anything big. For me, it is really just being available for one usually small deed at a time as they come up - then I say okay, I help this person out. We all have to live in the world. And we still have personally daily responsibilities. I have my wife who needs my assistance, she is partially disabled. Everything else is secondary.
So, don't beat yourself up, don't feel guilty. Some churches preasure people to do some sort of ministry. They will encourage you to get involved. My church's motto was: "Win, Equip, Send". It was considered an evangelical church. It takes awhile to become equipped. Somewhere along the line they will ask: "Do you know what your spiritual gift is? You must discover it and use it! Find something, be willing and available ... Pray and ask God where He can use you. "Here I am Lord" ... Try this, volunteer ...SERVE, SERVE, SERVE!" I feel like it was a guilt trip sometimes and the Pastor disappointed if you did not raise your hand. And other times I wondered if the church was a tad legalistic, works orientated. Anyways, I always refer to Ephesians 4:11, some are gifted in certain areas and some aren't. I am not an evangelist and so all the times they tried to get me to go along on their missions, it did not work for me. God has used me many times but it was never during the those well meaning church - promted times. Nope, with me, I was alone and then He nudged me, usually to talk to someone who actually had their door open.
 
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