by David Brenneman
"I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer Nor His lovingkindness from me." Psalms 66:17-20.
Satan wants to curse the believer with doubts, but the Christian can be strong in God's promises of eternal salvation in Scripture (see John 6:37-39; 10:28-29; Romans 5:10; 8:31-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Security is a fact; assurance is a feeling that comes to the obedient Christian (1 Peter 1:3-10). - Pastor John MacArthur.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.
What kind of true Believer in Christ Jesus wants to be known as they stand before Jesus as only done the minimum for Him who gave His life for them?
Yet there's those out there, both now and in ages past, who have lived this life in that way.
Our world's filled with so-called churches that don't teach the whole counsel of God but teach, rather, how to be as close to the world as possible yet say they're Believers.
They go to church diligently enough each week yet as soon as they leave they crank up the secular music. They go run off to their events of the day that were fully on their minds during that supposed worship service to their supposed Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
They thrive on the busy successes of their lives and don't have time for the One who saved them. Oh they have all the intentions of praying and reading their Bible but don't follow through.
They are content with the minimum and it's not bothering them.
My Dear Reader do not let that be you!
I cringe at my own failures towards my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. My mind isn't like most people from what my experiences have shown me. Recalling things read and learn are most difficult for me. Yet knowing my failures in living the Christian life, both my sin nature and God's enemy, bring to my mind daily most of the time.
Then I recall what Paul exhorted...to press on towards the upward call of God for us in Christ Jesus.
How can anyone who claims to be a Believer in Christ Jesus remotely consider giving Him the minimum of our time, energy and effort to learn from the Spirit of God or to live out life as a Christ-follower?
Yet millions of people do it every day. Scripture says that the gates of Hell wouldn't be able to withstand the onslaught of the Church. As weak-kneed as much of the professing Church appears to be today...they are just struggling to get up a hill let alone charge a gate.
What about you?
Are you at all trying your absolute best to live your life approved by God or have you given in to the pressures to skate by? Do you not believe He will return soon? Do you not believe that He's going to exact an account of your life before Him? Do you not believe that He's going to keep His promises?
Our lives are to be lived in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. If the world can't see any difference between them and us then there's no glory coming to our Father in Heaven.
We wonder at the struggles we face in this world and don't connect them to the truth...that this physical world is inexorably connected to the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. We who are in Christ are the most aware, or at least should be, that we are in a war. We should be helping people to realize that time is short. That Jesus is coming. That they too need a Savior who is Christ the Lord. We shouldn't be disguising our selfishness by calling it other things.
This is why Paul exhorted those reading his letter to be sure of their salvation.
There's going to be a vast multitude who will probably be weeping uncontrollably when their life's work burns up completely and nothing is left to give back to Jesus for all He's done for them.
Start today in the here and now to live for Jesus! Commit to being in the Word of God and stick to it. Commit to talking to Jesus throughout your day and stick to it. Commit to finding ways to make the most of every opportunity to learn and grow in Christ.
Satan's going to try to get people to water-down their lives in Christ. Get them to live for themselves as much as he can. Redefining whatever he has to in order to weaken the church of God.
Satan's relentless and many people don't think he is. Scripture says he accuses the Brethren daily before Jesus. Does that sound like he's making a half-hearted attempt at wrecking the will of God for us in Christ?
What will you do differently today to get out of doing the bare minimum for your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ?
"Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.
"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:13.
Have you done everything?
Does Jesus have your all?
Do you make excuses for not trying your absolute best to live life for Jesus?
Start today to renew your commitment to live for Jesus who exchanged His life for yours on the cross. For God so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son that should you believe in Him that you will not perish but will have everlasting life.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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