But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. —2 Timothy 3:1-5
“The proof that I have experienced crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a definite likeness to Him. The Spirit of Jesus entering me rearranges my personal life before God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him the authority to give the life of God to me, and the experiences of my life must now be built on the foundation of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus here and now, and it will exhibit itself through holiness. It takes the omnipotence of God— His complete and effective divinity— to live the life of the Son of God in human flesh. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He [the Holy Spirit] reveals to me. Once I have made that important decision about sin, it is easy to “reckon” that I am actually “dead indeed to sin,” because I find the life of Jesus in me all the time (Romans 6:11). God puts the holiness of His Son into me, and I belong to a new spiritual order.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
I think it’s odd that there is a movement, at least in the Church in the United States, perhaps especially in the U.S., to de-emphasize the reality of sin and focus on the earthly benefits of being a Christian … But if you read the Bible carefully, with an open heart, you will be reminded that Jesus came to defeat Sin and death .. to restore mankind to a right relationship with the Father … to make it possible for sinners to become holy and live lives that bring glory to the Father.
Pastor Rick Warren said “God is more concerned with our character than our comfort”, yet many Christians that I know are more concerned with their comfort than their character. So often, in order to enjoy the comforts of this world, we must compromise godly character.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17
How do you know if you love the world? Oh, you know because the Spirit of God convicts us of sin and sin is all about the world and our old nature, that craves the things of this world.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” - Matthew 6:24
Those are Jesus’ words. You can’t straddle the fence. You might want to. You might have convinced yourself that you can. But the reality is that you are either standing on one side or the other. It’s self-deception to believe you can do both. Jesus said you can’t and I would believe Him if I were you. How does He feel about Christians who live that life? This is what He said to the Church of Laodicea
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” - Revelation 3:16
You can’t have it both ways … Do you need to make some adjustments in your life? All of us do, I think. We are all "prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above." - Come Thou Fount OF Every Blessing, Robert Robinson, 1758
Have you strayed off of the Path? Perhaps you should talk to God about it and then repent.
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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