To him who overcomes… —Revelation 2:7
I just read a post the other day saying that most Christians think they are like King David - whole hearted for God, but are really like King Saul - serving God half heartedly.
Most Christians don’t struggle with those things that are blatantly “evil”, but with those things that seem, on the surface, to be “good”. Good as defined by our culture and our traditions, not God. There is a movement in our culture, in particular, to redefine the definition of “good” or what is not sin. Isaiah wrote …
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” - Isaiah 5:20
Today, centuries later, men continued to strive to be like God and define what is good and acceptable. Paul wrote in the beginning of his letter to the Romans ..
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. … they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools… And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." - Romans 18,20-22,28-32
When the young man called Jesus a “good teacher”, Jesus responded
“Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." - Matthew 19:17
In other words, Jesus was saying “My Father is the only source for what is good”. He is the only One who decides what is good - what is right. However most cultures reject God and choose to define their own morality and embrace their own definition of what is good and right. Jesus accused the Church of Ephesus of being lukewarm in Revelation 2. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too. That is embrace God and embrace the world, at the same time. When there is a clash of definitions of good and sin, God is often abandoned in favor of the culture's definition of good. God is rejected and the culture is embraced. Those Christians who do it feel justified. It is the temptation of “Everyone is doing it” or "Going along to get along"
His Spirit convicts us of sin, but we have within our capacity to quench the Spirit. We are in a spiritual battle that manifests itself in the way people live and believe. My encouragement to you ..
“Choose this day whom you will serve .. but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" - Joshua 24:15
Make it more than a catch phrase or a plaque on your living room wall. Make it a commitment … everyday … and more than that … do live like you mean it!
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
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