Practicing Religion On The Weekends

"Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." - Mark 1;14-15

When we are saved, we enter into the spiritual kingdom - a new reality. One that is unseen but is no less real. Most Christians, I think, live in the dimension of religious activity.  Their Christian lives are characterized by trying to be good. Going to church on Sunday - maybe even on Wednesday. Celebrating the religious holidays. But stopping short of laying their natural lives on the altar.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2

They may even read those verses and not their heads in agreement, but never take the necessary steps to make it a reality in their lives. I mean what does it mean to offer yourself as a living sacrifice anyway? Well, the first step is to understand that they are no longer like everyone else. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

They are a new creation - not part of the old world and what it values. But that is such a big leap for many. Choosing God and rejecting the world. Recognizing that they have new DNA and new values and new - well everything. Once they know that and accept it as truth, then they can start to live in it. They can see God at work in the world. Practicing religion on the weekends is no longer good enough. Surrender of every jot and tittle is what is called for and what is freely given. They realize that their new life requires all not some. To give up some is to give up nothing. It is to reject the new and cling to the old.

You can live your life that way - and feel pretty good about your "good" life. But you have missed it. And you won't regret it until the day you stand before Jesus to give an account of why there is no spiritual fruit in your "basket". You have missed the mark - badly and there are no do overs. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone