by David Brenneman
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age," Titus 2:11-12.
"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13.
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.
"I am created by God. He designed me. So I'm not a mistake. His Son died for me, just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be His own, so I'm chosen. He redeemed me, so I am wanted. He showed me Grace, just so I could be saved. He has a future for me, because He loves me!" - Overcomer the movie.
When you objectively look at your life, your every part, do you see yourself as a true follower of Christ or a part-time Believer? A part-time Christian? Are you devoted to your life in Christ or are your devotions split with other people or things of this world?
We are to take up our own cross and follow Jesus. Jesus, as He said to Peter, so He says to us...as for you, you follow Me!
Would people in your life know with absolute certainty that you are a Christian, a child of God? Would that be something that truly defines you to others? Or have you hidden it well enough so as to not be recognized?
Do you devote your time to other things, sports, hobbies, etc. but have neglected to devote time to your growing in Christ? All such things are exactly what Jesus says will turn to ashes when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives, every thought, spoken word, unspoken of the same. All actions taken or refused to be taken. All will be tried by the fire of the absolute truth of God in Christ Jesus. Our time on this Earth is finite. We, daily, are having our very thoughts and intentions sifted by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
What manner of man or woman ought we to be?
Rather than persisting in our walk with Jesus we settle for the minimum. Rather than turning away from idols, we find a place for them in our God given homes. Rather than living in the present, we spend oh so much time, energy and effort to rebuild the past or relive the past. We become scrooges when it comes to money to give back to Jesus yet lavish it on ourselves, friends and family.
These are the things that ought to grieve us about us. We are all susceptible to these temptations.
Did we have to have that particular thing or could we have been content with something less and given the rest back to Jesus?
Did we really display such desires for some thing, or person rather than to give such to our Savior who did take our place on the cross?
Complacency and idolatry were warned about in the letters to the churches.
Jesus tells a church in Revelation that they have forgotten their first love.
When you came to Christ your heart was at that time wholly His...is it still there or has that waned?
It hurts at times to stand firm in the Lord. It hurts at times to turn away from the desires of this world. It hurts at times to say no to things that appear so good.
Our growing in Christ is paramount to our Lord Jesus Christ, not creature comforts. Our sanctification is what is His workmanship that He's creating in us. It isn't anything that the world is going to understand. The natural man does not accept the things of God because they are spiritually appraised or discerned.
My Dear Reader...stop where you are. Look at what's in your life. Where your thoughts go. What your intentions are. Who is getting your time, energy and efforts. Are those bringing glory to God or to you?
Who's life are you really living, is it one that seeks to glorify your Savior or you?
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
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