Introduction
Whoever says that
living for God is easy is either mistaken or telling lies. The devil will do all that he
can to get us off track so that our passion for the things of God dies. Also,
since we are living in a fallen world, life itself sometimes presents us with
countless cares and worries, and as a result we no longer have time for
spiritual matters. If we are like a fire ready to go out, then we need to fan
the flame to get it blazing again.
We
need the Lord
Too many
backslidden or lukewarm Christians wait until tragedy strikes before they get
right with God. They allowed the world to freeze the fire of God in their lives,
and gradually they become more and more like the unsaved. They learn to live
without His presence in their lives.
We need the Lord
every moment of every day. We need Him in every one of life’s situations.
Without Him we cannot be spiritually sustained, and soon enough this lack will
affect our natural lives too. We need to remind ourselves of the rich blessings
God has provided for us, especially the wonderful gift of salvation. “Put
them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to
be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes
foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in
malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness
and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly
through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:1-7). This text not only teaches that Christ saved us, but that
He changed our behaviour too. Salvation covers every aspect of our lives,
spirit, soul and body.
We can continue to operate like the unsaved if we like, but in doing so we will lose out on the blessing of knowing the provision of our Heavenly Father. “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Luke 12:29-31).
The
effects of sin
By allowing the
flesh to dominate our lives we soon become enslaved to sin and grow cold towards
God. Like it or not, we are, if we are in this condition, in rebellion against
God’s will. Sin usually creeps in gradually. We may commend ourselves for
going to church, reading the Bible, praying and tithing, but in reality our
hearts are cold.
The greatest sin of all is the one that dethrones
Christ in our lives. Unless it is swiftly and completely dealt with it will
destroy our relationship with God. This can only be accomplished through
heartfelt repentance. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy
lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my
transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against
thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou
mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold,
thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make
me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones
which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all
mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from
me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free
spirit” (Psalm 51:1-12).
Getting
right with God
We can only get
right with God if we truly desire to allow Christ to reign in our lives. This
means that we must spend time in His presence and in His word. Remember that the
Lord Jesus Christ found it necessary to commune with His Heavenly Father in
prayer. “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a
mountain apart to pray” (Matthew 14:23).
This ought to be our number one desire. “One thing have I desired of
the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all
the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his
temple” (Psalm 27:4).
If we get right
with the Lord then He will empower us through His Holy Spirit to maintain a
consistent Christian life. Instead of being weak, we will have the strength and
determination to persist on the road of eternal life no matter what hindrances
may come. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in
me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John
15:4-5).
Getting right
with God includes getting along with other church members too. Therefore, if we
want to serve the Lord then we must love His people. “For, brethren,
ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the
flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and
devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Galatians
5:13-15).
Conclusion
© 1/1/2010