Driving Forces
by David Brenneman
It always amazes me to watch compromise happen in the lives of people right before my eyes. It possibly is seen in other's as they might be aware enough to examine my life.
Compromise and justification tend to go hand in hand. A compromise is often justified before its enacted upon.
Dr. Charles Stanley's comments on these two verses are about how we're viewed by others who meet us in life after we've come to Christ for salvation.
Would people see a different person in you? Would there be as some have compared it to, enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?
What's the driving force in why you do do what you do do do?
Are you intentional in your actions before others? Do you justify your actions when they don't align with the example of Jesus? As we saw in Proverbs yesterday, God doesn't like that phrase "I was just joking" with regards to deceiving others.
When your life is seen do people see a conformist or a person who stands on what they believe in Jesus?
Fitting in isn't all that it's cracked up to be as far as worldly mindedness goes. If you have to compromise your obedience to Jesus in any way...my Dear Reader...the price is too high.
"and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Ephesians 5:4.
"You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we." 2 Corinthians 10:7.
"We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Someone recently said again something that I have heard for many years. I believe it was Dr. David Jeremiah in his study on Romans 8. That Jesus is either President or the resident in our hearts. That which we feed is what grows within us.
What is getting fed within you my Friend?
You will know them by their fruits, Jesus said. He also said He is the vine, we are the branches...and that apart from Him we can do nothing.
In reading this morning, a hymn written in 1912 by James Rowe came to mind.
I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me–
Now safe am I.
Refrain:
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me;
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
All my heart to Him I give,
Ever to Him I'll cling,
In His blessed presence live,
Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true
Merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too,
To Him belongs.
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me;
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Souls in danger, look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be–
Be saved today.
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me;
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
If indeed the love of Christ has lifted you...does your life show it? Would those who aren't in Christ yet see something in you that was different? At some point, if not at all times, all Christians are under the worldly microscope. Being on our best behavior is not really an option.
Just as in agriculture, all it takes is one wrong move, one wrong step, to ruin a year's worth of work. We can, through carelessness, ruin the work the Spirit is doing in others.
Is doing whatever is right in God's eyes important to you? It's going to probably alienate you from some people. It will probably draw ridicule from some. However, it might be your obedience in your walk with Jesus Christ that causes someone to take that step themselves.
Your walk with Jesus is supposed to cause others to glorify your Father in Heaven.
So what's driving you? Do people who see your social media pages see someone walking with Jesus? In your goings and coming do people see Jesus in you?
It's probably going to mean not fitting in with some circles of people.
Is living the Christian life the way the Spirit is teaching you bothering you or is it encouraging you? We cannot live a life pleasing to God by having Jesus be the resident of our hearts.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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