Where there is no revelation [or prophetic vision], the people cast off restraint… —Proverbs 29:18
{CHAMBERS} “There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. […] I too may have the right idea of God and His attributes, but that may be the very reason why I do not do my duty. But wherever there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity, because the vision gives me the moral incentive.[…] Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restraints from activities we know are wrong. We set prayer aside as well and cease having God’s vision in the little things of life. We simply begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path. We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God?”
{ELGIN} Another version says “without a vision the people perish” Someone once said “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Paul said, (Ephesians 1:18-20) “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he [God the Father] has called you, the riches of his [God the Father] glorious inheritance in his [God the Father] holy people, and his [God the Father] incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he [God the Father] exerted when he [God the Father] raised Christ from the dead and seated him [Jesus] at his [God the Father] right hand in the heavenly realms..” Do you have that vision? Do you realize what has happened to you since you are now reborn? The resurrection power that was applied in your life … that you are a child of the creator God … that He has a purpose for you .. and it is not to continue to live as you once did? [I was only going to quote one verse, but after reading it, I decided that I would let the Word say what was on my heart to write this morning ….
(Colossians 3:1-17) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Amen and Amen
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