by David Brenneman
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”
Philippians 2:12-16.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” Philippians 4:11-14.
My Dear Reader...what are you showing the world in how you live your life?
Are you showing a life in Christ or a life conformed to the world so well that it pretty much leaves you alone?
One where the light of Jesus Christ shines all the time or one where you pick and choose as to when you let it out?
One where you put living for Jesus on the sidelines because of what you want to "enjoy" or one where no matter what people see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven?
Many countless people are living the lukewarm, if they're lucky, lifestyle in Christ rather than the all in life in Christ that the saved in Christ are supposed to be living.
They have availed themselves to choosing opportunities to lay aside their life in Christ for the entertainment purposes they want to enjoy.
Because of music, television, movies, streaming, gaming, sports especially, they essentially tell the Spirit that He's not needed for a while and to come back after they're done.
That's what message we tell God when we are choosing the life we want to keep ahold of instead of the righteous life that God desires for us.
Read between the lines of what Jesus has said about following Him.
There's no acceptable exceptions.
There's nothing to be more important than whatever it is that the has for us to be learning and practicing in Christ.
We become the spreaders of distrust, dissension, strife, anger, malice and everything else of our sin nature rather than the fruit of the Spirit.
Again reread the Gospels specifically...no where will anyone find Jesus saying He was joking about what living for Him is all about.
Fools say they only do this or do that, in order to "reach people for Christ" by participating in the deeds of darkness that the world offers.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16.
Why doesn't this next passage not cause EVERY SINGLE Believer to stop and consider their ways?!?
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.”
Matthew 16:24-27.
Especially that last part.
Your deeds, my deeds, are going to be open and laid bare before Him with whom we have to do.
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
Hebrews 4:13.
Before you make choices, stop and consider your choice.
Is this going to be me telling the Spirit to step aside for a while?
Would I be doing something, engaging in something, that will be having me not inviting the Spirit to be fully involved in? Would you be saying what you would be saying, behaving as you will be behaving like, speaking as you will be speaking if Jesus stood there with you?
Would Jesus say that you are laying down your life for Him?
Would Jesus describe you as saying that you took up your own cross and were indeed following Him?
Would He be calling you out as being lukewarm as He did churches in the book of Revelation?
Be bold and pray a prayer to ask Jesus: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”
Psalms 139:23-24.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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