Seek God With No Strings Attached
Seek God With No Strings Attached | August 31, 2023
Louis XIV was one of France's most recognized kings. Known as the Sun King for the brilliance of his court, he saw his armies make France the most powerful country of its time. However, King Louis was not without his share of losses. When he received the news of his crushing defeat by the English at Blenheim, he purportedly proclaimed, "How could God do this to me? After all, I have done for Him!"
King Louie's alleged assertion sounds familiar because we sometimes make similar statements when circumstances do not go our way. For example, we may say, "Why God, would you allow this after all I have done for you?" Or "How could you let this happen considering all of my good deeds?"
Perhaps a new perspective to embrace can say, "I will seek God with no strings attached." Adopting this attitude means that our time invested in prayer, giving, church, serving, and kindness toward others is not to get anything in return. Following and being obedient to God is not about stockpiling good favor or brokering a get-out-of-jail-free card when we mess up. Sadly, one of the trickle-down effects of the false prosperity gospel and the concert-driven church model is that a relationship with God is about getting the next blessing. As a result, when problems come, we blame God because we think, in some weird way, He owes us for all the "good we have been doing." This thinking is arrogant and foolish because it finds gratification in seeing Christianity as nothing more than some gravy train of blessing.
We must remember that our relationship with God is all about His grace. Therefore, whatever we "do" is in response to what He has already done! All of our prayers, practices, and participation is a privilege, not a pathway to more possessions or perfect endings. Even so, God will provide for the person who seeks Him without the strings of selfishness. Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Louis XIV was one of France's most recognized kings. Known as the Sun King for the brilliance of his court, he saw his armies make France the most powerful country of its time. However, King Louis was not without his share of losses. When he received the news of his crushing defeat by the English at Blenheim, he purportedly proclaimed, "How could God do this to me? After all, I have done for Him!"
King Louie's alleged assertion sounds familiar because we sometimes make similar statements when circumstances do not go our way. For example, we may say, "Why God, would you allow this after all I have done for you?" Or "How could you let this happen considering all of my good deeds?"
Perhaps a new perspective to embrace can say, "I will seek God with no strings attached." Adopting this attitude means that our time invested in prayer, giving, church, serving, and kindness toward others is not to get anything in return. Following and being obedient to God is not about stockpiling good favor or brokering a get-out-of-jail-free card when we mess up. Sadly, one of the trickle-down effects of the false prosperity gospel and the concert-driven church model is that a relationship with God is about getting the next blessing. As a result, when problems come, we blame God because we think, in some weird way, He owes us for all the "good we have been doing." This thinking is arrogant and foolish because it finds gratification in seeing Christianity as nothing more than some gravy train of blessing.
We must remember that our relationship with God is all about His grace. Therefore, whatever we "do" is in response to what He has already done! All of our prayers, practices, and participation is a privilege, not a pathway to more possessions or perfect endings. Even so, God will provide for the person who seeks Him without the strings of selfishness. Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
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