Nowadays fulfilling a commitment seems be something of a novelty. Divorce rates are skyrocketing, business failing and bankruptcy on the rise, but it wasn’t always this way. In years past, a person’s word was their sacred bond and a sign of integrity. This evil trend has even made its way inside the church body. No one considers it a sin to break a promise or walk off on a commitment, treating the church body with the same ideology as the rest of the world.
We are call to live in the world, but not become like the world (Romans 12:2). The cornerstones of Christian life, marriage and family stability have suffered. Christian marriages and businesses fail at the same rate as those of the secular society. Paul instructed Timothy, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3NLT)
There are many who call themselves Christian, thinking themselves as “good” or charitable” people, but that is not what Christianity is. It is a life of servitude and submitting their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You may find some who never crack open a bible or attend church, but still claim to be a Christian. Still others attend church on Sunday, maybe serving in some ministry, but live like everyone else the rest of the week, stealing from their employers, lie and gossip about their neighbors, all claiming to be Christians.
Jesus identified these people in his sermon on the mount. Jesus said, “A healthy tree produces good fruit and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit” (Matthew 7: 17-18NLT). It should be easy to see, but people judge by appearances not by the integrity of an individual.
There are still others, who have ignored the warnings of the Holy Spirit for so long that their consciences are dead. They come to church week after week, not hearing or understanding a single word of God. Sadly, they have sealed their fate. (Hebrews 10:39). Paul wrote, “Evil people and imposter's will flourish. They will go on deceiving others and they themselves will be deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13NLT).
For those of you who have been playing Christian, it is time to get serious. The writer of Hebrews warned, “If we deliberately continue sinning, after we have received the full knowledge of truth, there is no sacrifice that will cover these sins. Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the new covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit, who brings God’s mercy to his people” (Hebrews 10:26, 29 NLT). The choice is yours to keep your commitments.
What can I do? If you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, you need to accept him the Lord of your life. Confess you have been living on your own terms as ask for his forgiveness and restoration. He will do it. The Holy Spirit will help you along the way of spiritual growth and you will discover that life with Jesus is as exciting as it is rewarding.
copyright@2009-tathorpe -All Rights Reserved-
We are call to live in the world, but not become like the world (Romans 12:2). The cornerstones of Christian life, marriage and family stability have suffered. Christian marriages and businesses fail at the same rate as those of the secular society. Paul instructed Timothy, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3NLT)
There are many who call themselves Christian, thinking themselves as “good” or charitable” people, but that is not what Christianity is. It is a life of servitude and submitting their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You may find some who never crack open a bible or attend church, but still claim to be a Christian. Still others attend church on Sunday, maybe serving in some ministry, but live like everyone else the rest of the week, stealing from their employers, lie and gossip about their neighbors, all claiming to be Christians.
Jesus identified these people in his sermon on the mount. Jesus said, “A healthy tree produces good fruit and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit” (Matthew 7: 17-18NLT). It should be easy to see, but people judge by appearances not by the integrity of an individual.
There are still others, who have ignored the warnings of the Holy Spirit for so long that their consciences are dead. They come to church week after week, not hearing or understanding a single word of God. Sadly, they have sealed their fate. (Hebrews 10:39). Paul wrote, “Evil people and imposter's will flourish. They will go on deceiving others and they themselves will be deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13NLT).
For those of you who have been playing Christian, it is time to get serious. The writer of Hebrews warned, “If we deliberately continue sinning, after we have received the full knowledge of truth, there is no sacrifice that will cover these sins. Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the new covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit, who brings God’s mercy to his people” (Hebrews 10:26, 29 NLT). The choice is yours to keep your commitments.
What can I do? If you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, you need to accept him the Lord of your life. Confess you have been living on your own terms as ask for his forgiveness and restoration. He will do it. The Holy Spirit will help you along the way of spiritual growth and you will discover that life with Jesus is as exciting as it is rewarding.
copyright@2009-tathorpe -All Rights Reserved-
3 comments:
this is so true! I thank you for this life lesson booster shot,, that we so easily forget to remember and for those who did not know what is in store for us, now they do, and I hope we all can remember all the blessings we are in store for if we do follow our lord and the commitments that we make in our every day life...
You hit the issue strait on, Terri. People aren't as committed as they should be to a lot of things in their life, and their faith is number one. Time is shorter than most think. Even if the Second Coming is not for several more generations, our own time here on this earth is limited. Our judgment is on its way. I am thankful that God is compassionate, and He will recognize earnest effort, even if my attempts often fail.
Thank you Cecilia for you encouraging words- I feel time is short so we need to make the most of what we are called to do.
Blessings!!
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