One of the many advantages of working out your salvation is the presence of joy in your life.  As we mature in our spiritual lives we should begin to experience joy and an overwhelming desire to please God.  Without any effort on our part, without working for it or doing anything particularly special, as mature Christians we should be in love with God, in love with nature, in love with our fellow man and we cannot hide it or keep it a secret.  People who have learned the secret of true abandonment to God, people who have reached a level of inner freedom and peace, people who have divested themselves of sin and evil are people that have entered the kingdom of God and whether people can put their finger on it or not, they know that there is something special about you.  When a person enters the kingdom, life becomes amazingly simple and God will no longer allow you to fall into depression.  When the burdens of the world, when the disappointment of past dreams begin to encroach upon you, when circumstances try to displace your joy, God will lift you out and draw you to the one who was lifted up upon the cross and he will restore your joy.  It is such a grace of God.  It is the gift that supersedes all natural joy whether it be falling in love, bearing children, or being financially successful, artistically talented, or scientifically grounded.  It is the joy of a truly spiritual life devoted solely to pleasing God.

            Romancing God begins when the lures of the world no longer attract us, when the flesh is mortified, when the word of God is living and active, when spending time with God is your ultimate joy.  Romancing God begins when the soul becomes still, when listening becomes fruitful, when the need to be busy ceases and loneliness is replaced by solitude and living under the anointing occurs frequently as you give to God life's fleeting gift: time.  Those who give God themselves, their time, their thoughts, their desires and dreams are those who have entered the kingdom and know what it is to romance God.  From scripture we know that without faith it is impossible to please God and that faith without works is dead, being alone.  The successful romancer shares all of his love with others, seldom has a “bad” day, is stress free and physically healthy and lives in peace, without fear or worry.  His overriding purpose is to live by faith and please God and he does this by being carefree and burden less.  He does this by being open to the Spirit of God and doing little things well.  He does this by taking care of himself, living a good spiritual life, eating well, dressing well, keeping his home clean and orderly and being totally devoted to God.  Romancing God begins when you fall in love with God. 

            Fall in love with God.  Work out your salvation.  Enter the kingdom.  Let the joy of the Lord be your strength.  Give God everything!

 
amen