Do you lay claims to being a
follower of Jesus Christ? Does your walk match your talk? Or are you, behind
closed doors, someone else entirely?
The Lord Jesus led me to read
Galatians 4 (Select vv. NASB).
However, at that time, when you did not know God, you
were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to
know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to
the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all
over again? Vv. 8-9
Before any of us believed in
Jesus Christ as Lord and as Savior of our lives, we were bound in sin, free
from the control of righteousness, enslaved to all sorts of evil. But, when we
trusted in Jesus Christ - if we are truly in Christ, by faith in him - we died
with him to sin, and we were raised with him to newness of life, born again of
the Spirit of God.
“Our old self was crucified with Him, in order that
our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves
to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:6-7).
So, why is it that so many
Christians, or so many who profess Jesus as their Savior and Lord, are not
really living much differently than they did before Jesus saved them? Or,
before they made a profession of faith in Christ?
Worldly Influence
For one, I believe it is the
influence of the world which has crept into the church, yet so gradually, and
so stealthily, and so seductively, so that most did not notice how much of the
world they had come to accept into their lives. So much of it seemed so normal,
and perhaps even innocent, and some of it was passed off as a good thing, i.e.
as a way to connect with the lost world.
But, the more of this sinful
world that we allow into our lives (into our lifestyles), and into our thinking
and believing, no matter how innocent it may seem, at first, the more we open
ourselves up to accepting what Christians should never accept into their lives,
their homes, and into their families. And, we may be totally blinded to this
deception.
Diluted Gospel
Another factor here is that
so many churches these days have diluted the gospel message to make it more
appealing to human flesh. Most of them, it would appear, don’t teach death to
sin and living to righteousness, even though scripture teaches this is the
reason Jesus died on that cross (1 Pet. 2:24).
So many have watered down the
gospel to the point to where there is not even a mention made of repentance or
obedience, but only of what Jesus did for us, and how we should accept his
grace and his forgiveness, regardless of whether or not we ever turn from our
sins or turn to follow Jesus with our lives.
Thus, many have this mistaken
idea that they can be saved from their sins, have the hope of eternal life with
God in heaven, and yet continue on, business as usual, living in their sins.
But, this is just WRONG! Jesus died to free us from slavery to sin, not leave
us in our sins. The Bible says that if we remain in our sins, in slavery
(addiction), and we walk according to our flesh, we will die in our sins, not
have the hope of eternal life with God (See: Lu. 9:23-25; Gal. 5:19-21; Rom.
6:1-23; Rom. 8:1-17; 1 Jn. 1:5-9).
Stubborn Rebellion
The bottom line in all of
this, though, is that someone who professes Christ as Savior, but who continues
to live in sin, does so because he or she chooses to live (walk) in sin,
oftentimes fully knowing that what he or she is doing is wrong, that it is
hurtful to others, and that it is in direct rebellion against God and the
teachings of scripture.
The reality is, in fact, that
many who knowingly, willfully, and stubbornly hold on to sinful patterns of
behavior, will do so even at the cost of losing their spouse, their homes,
their jobs, their families, and their reputations, because they are addicted to
sin, and so they will choose it over all else, no matter the cost. And, they will
even fight against those who lovingly try to help them to get free.
I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also
have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was
because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;
and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or
loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Where
then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if
possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So have I
become your enemy by telling you the truth? Vv. 12-16
Other Christians may be our
friends until we tell them something they don’t want to hear, or something with
which they don’t agree, and then they may treat us as though we are their
enemies. And, then they may want nothing to do with us. This should not be, but
it is the reality of human nature.
It isn’t that we have
changed. We are still the same people we were. They just learned something
about us, about our beliefs, or maybe about our pasts, which made them feel
uncomfortable. Or, what we shared with them just didn’t fit with their
theology. Or, perhaps, it hit home with them, because what we shared hit on their
specific sin addiction, and so they just cut off communication, because they
didn’t want to have to face the truth.
The truth does sometimes
hurt, but the truth is necessary, for it is what will set us free. But, men
loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. So, if we tell
the truth, we should be prepared to have people not like us, to have friends
forsake us, and to even have people attack us.
They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to
shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly
sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. My
children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— but I
could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed
about you. Vv. 17-20
But, we must always keep in
mind the reason for the truth telling, which is to open blinded eyes, to turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they can
receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith
in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:16-18).
So, this may involve, not
only confronting people with their sins, but warning them against those
influences which would lead them astray and away from their pure devotion to
Christ, or what should be pure devotion to Christ.
So, we may have to point out
potential pitfalls, or false teaching (doctrines), so that the weak,
especially, do not get trapped in them. But, we should be prepared that they
may resist us, not agree with us, and so go head forward right into those traps
because they ignored the warnings - because they thought they knew better.
Yet, we should not let this
discourage us. We must keep caring, and keep sharing what God gives us to
share, because we never know how God might use it in someone’s life. And, we
must keep our eyes on Jesus, and on the ministry he had on this earth, and that
he has given to us to continue in.
God’s word will not return
empty, but it will accomplish what he desires and achieve the purpose for which
He sent it (Is. 55:11).
I Will Lift My Eyes
An Original Work / December
12, 2012
Based off Psalms 121-125
I will lift my eyes to my
Lord Most High.
My help comes from Him, who
saved me from sin.
He will not let your foot
slip, and He who watches will not sleep.
Our Lord watches over you,
and your life He will keep.
I will lift my eyes to my
Lord Most High.
My help comes from Him, who
saved me from sin.
I give thanks to Him.
I will lift my eyes to my God
in heav’n.
I look to the Lord. My sins,
He’s forgiv’n.
Because of His great love for
us, He made us alive with Christ.
Through the kindness of our
Savior, He gave us new life.
I will lift my eyes to my God
in heav’n.
I look to the Lord. My sins,
He’s forgiv’n;
My home, now in heav’n.
Praise be to the Lord, who is
on our side.
Our help found in Him. He
gives peace within.
Those who trust will ne’er be
shaken. God will supply all we need.
Our Lord has done great
things for us. He’s our friend, indeed!
Praise be to the Lord, who is
on our side.
Our help found in Him. He
gives peace within.
I can count on Him.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017,
5:00 a.m. – Thank you, Jesus, for these words of encouragement and hope.
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