Close to God part 5

So for the past few days I have written about what being close to God is not.
to recap:

• Relationships change.  They ebb and flow.  They feel differently over time.
• It is not about being a sinner.  We are all sinners all the time.
• Reading the bible may or may not help.
• Ultimately it is not about how we feel.

If those are the things that are not what being close is about, what is being close to God?  How can a person know if they are on the right track?

Over and over again the bible tells us to love God and love others.  Jesus answers the question of the greatest commandment.... love God and love others.  On this hangs all the law and the prophets.  In other words, all of religion, all of our doctrine, everything, everything is subordinated to the love of God and the love of others.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

So don't be polluted by the world...  the world is arrogant, the world is self-righteous, the world is pompous.  Flee all of that.  Be normal, be loving, shun arrogance and selfishness.   Love God and love others.  The widows, the orphans, the broken.

Do you wish to be close to God?  Your feelings about this will come and go, but your actions can be consistent.  Love all.  Care for all.  Reach for all.  Those who live such a life are indeed the saints in this world, even thought they don't always feel it.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Paris-Normandy River Cruise
October 23-31, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs