There is great joy when children return from summer camp and explain how Jesus has saved them from their sins. Unfortunately, many people live with the idea that the subject is closed and they do nothing else to please God with their life. We should enjoy telling sinners they can have eternal life, but we must also inform people that they must die to the ways of the world before they will partake of this new life.
Look at what scriptures say, Know ye not, that so many of use were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Even so,we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) Death to this world is the most overlooked truth in the Bible. Christians are being taught (whether outright or by apathy) that it is alright to participate in worldly activities if we simply dedicate them to God. This is wrong because Jesus tells us plainly that we are not to involve ourselves in worldly things, Ye cannot serve God and mammom. Therefore, I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. (Matt 6:24) Our dedication to the world will always take us away from God and this explains the spiritual apathy in many church people today.
The Lord wants us either hot or cold, not lukewarm. When we give up the world it is a sign that Jesus lives in our heart and that we have been crucified with Him.
The Scripture tells us many times that we aer to consider ourselves dead to this world. This allows time for us to turn other people toward God and keep them from falling into Hell. Paul said, For we which are dead are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11) Our naturally selfish nature is the reason we do not want to give up the things of this world. We desire anything that makes us feel comfortable or appeals to the five senses of flesh. Many treasures may be stored up in heaven if believers will use their resources to reach the lost.
Long ago, Eve disobeyed God simply because something was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise. (Genesis 3:6) This uncontrolled desire of hers led to the death of all mankind. Our uncontrolled desires will lead us to the same end. Paul stated that to be carnally minded is death. (Romans 8:6) It is essential that we give up the things of this world, in order to inherit the wonders of eternity.
The Lord has sent the Comforter to us and we find our peace in Him rather than in the things the world provides. Because we are in a position of nonconformity with the people around us, there is extra pressure placed on us. Jesus said it like this, if ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19) It should be clear to us that we will not be liked by some people because we behave like Jesus. This explains why may of the popular new church groups who look and act like the world do not suffer the rejection spoken of by Christ. When professional church people spend their time forming groups that are acceptable to the world, they make Jesus a liar because He said the world hateth you.
As we die to this world, we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit will comfort us when the world hates us, lead us when we don't know where to turn, and show us the way to life through our dying to this world. Because of God's perfect plan when we give up things of this world, we will find a treasure trove of life beyond this world. All this is possible in order to honor God through our walk with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment