“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:

for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

- Heb 11:5,6 ( KJV )
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BIBLICAL LIVING 101 - Relationships ( Concept of ) - Part 2
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Last week we saw that the first and Prime relationship is Love. It predates creation in that it was/is the relationship amongst the 3 Persons of the Trinity.

We also saw that God decided to invest in a relationship with Man, determining from eternity past to make Man a Son, and share His Love & Creation with Him for all eternity.

This week we would like to remind you that Gods relationship with mankind is REAL, INDIVIDUAL & PERSONAL to You (and not just an abstract concept for all humanity) ! This is THE bedrock of the Faith that drives actions that please God!

Though He deals with mankind as a unit in some ways ( Creation, Redemption, Justification, Glorification), God deals with Nations and peoples ( Israel, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt), cities ( Sodom/Gomorrah, Jerusalem , Tyre, Nineveh ) down to individuals and their specific family members and their issues, and even the numbers of hairs on our head!

Noah, Abraham, David, Sarah, Hannah, Mary.... Enoch... (from our text) the pages of the Bible are FILLED with examples of God taking an individual, personal interest in people and their issues/well being. They range from chosen and highly favored ( Noah, Abraham, Enoch ) to lepers and demon possessed individuals. Rich or poor, shepherd or king, naked prophet or gorgeously robed priest!

God IS —— & is real. He is as serious as a heart attack, as inflexible as a diamond, as down to earth as dirt,blood,semen and sweat, Lord and Creator of all the Universe, and the moral Lawgiver for His children. Why are we saying this..?.... it’s because we don’t have a good idea/concept of just how real He is.

You are all familiar with the Law of Gravity, and other physical laws that govern this Universe. Please realize that these laws are obeyed to the “T” by -every single- molecule in this universe including those that make up your body and brain! We ignore these laws at our peril and are aware of what the consequences are of breaking/ignoring them - pain and suffering !!! https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png");">?

The same is true for MORAL laws, the only exception being, we CAN use our God-like free will to thumb our nose at those and ignore them. In the back of our head, we know we are messing up, but we do it anyway ! When the consequences do arrive ... as they inevitably must .... we either ‘fess up and repent ( good ) or blame everybody and everything except ourselves and try to wiggle out of our predicament with even worse decisions ...... ( very very bad )!

Where DO we get our concept of right and wrong from? C.S.Lewis explores this topic in his book “Mere Christianity” ( recommended read ) , but in a nutshell- all human cultures have evolved a set of standards for what is “good/proper” and what is “bad/naughty”. They differ wildly, but humans have an innate desire/ability to differentiate good from bad. So Where did we get it from?

Evolutionary psychology traces this to survival. Whatever behavior negatively impacts the survival of me and my children is bad, whatever helps me survive is good.

I don’t want others stealing my stuff , killing me, hurting me, making babies with my wife (!) that I have to raise, or in other words, reduce my ability to propagate my genes to the next generation. The psychologists argue that this is how society has evolved the moral codes common to all cultures today ( with exceptions ).

This theory fits a lot of observed human motives, behaviors and social mores, but there is an inherent problem. This morality prizes survival of self over all else.... it may elevate the nobility of sacrifice ... but cannot find a cogent moral reason for it!!!!! Selfishness is good seems to be the moral here.

Contrast that with the Law, the words of Jesus, and the acts of God as revealed in the Bible. The moral law is Love.

God is the moral authority and we daily transgress this very real moral law which is part of the eternal and unchangeable nature of a very- real,universe creating, planet sustaining, individual- God at OUR VERY REAL PERIL!

Again.., the Moral Laws are no more an ego trip for God than the law of gravity, they are there because it’s His Nature, and they are there for OUR benefit!

So, we come to this individual, daily, tangible, relationship with God - believing that He IS ( real), and that we can practically walk with Him ( Enoch was a FALLEN man ).

Some thoughts on the Individual relationship:

1. God is not our servant, grandfather, or Santa Claus. He sets the moral tone for the whole universe and will not bend His rules for anybody. The rules are the rules , He is God, we are His children. We Approach Him with boldness but with a very very healthy respect.

2. He Loves us, but we need to Love Him in 3 different ways ( three relationships ! ) - Father, Son, Holy Spirit. ( will say more next week )

All originates from the Father, and it is into a relationship with Him that the Son has restored us. The Spirit makes Him alive in us, feeding our mind, body, and spirit with His fruit and gifts. There are 3 persons you need to REALLY know, and the ways of interacting are DIFFERENT!

3. Lastly, we are all unique individuals. The “ I “ relationship is the one that we consider Prime, because if I don’t exist - there is nobody to have a relationship with! God, in His wisdom, did not create us the same - we are all colors of the rainbow when it comes to our external and internal makeup. He delights in our individuality and has tailored our paths in life to suit our character! He died for You, so yes, you are very real, important and valuable to Him.

So should He be to you!

We have been emphasizing the word - real. Why? Because this is a -real- broken world with -real-broken people in it, with very real problems - and some of them do not know - there is a -real-, honest-to-goodness, down-to-earth God who works daily with each and every individual living on this earth. Ignoring Him is as silly as ignoring the weather. As our text says, if we don’t “really” believe He exists or we think He “really “ can’t care for several billion people individually - we are going to miss out!

He has given us the means to work and communicate with Him, call down His power for His purposes, and enjoy His protection and provision for our lives. In turn, we are to grow up into His Nature day by day, learning how to interact with Him, testing each step we put forward on that walk.... so we can be Children He is proud of! Walking away from this God or denying His existence is like holding your breath (as kids - when you are angry and not getting your way..) https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png");">? ... not a good idea, doesn’t work , and will lead to death ( or hypoxia ... ).

He is real folks, and despising His patience and tolerance is not a good idea- because the wrath keeps building though He holds it back! We will have to pay for it, now or Later......

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, —- indignation and wrath,Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil,

of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;” - Rom 2:3-9 (KJV)

Replace the word Gentile with Christian... then you will realize why we are going to such lengths to say that YOU NEED TO START LISTENING TO HIM SERIOUSLY! All He wants is for you to CARE for other people like He does for you, and to spend time with Him! The rewards are .... real.... and out of this world!

Hallelujah!