Our heart condition

It's been a while since I've been able to blog, haven't really had much time to sit down and type up my thoughts so I'm happy to be back! Been reading and reflecting a lot though, these past three weeks have gone by quickly...

I'm reading a book on Worldliness, put together by C.J. Mahaney. It has me thinking about how much we allow the world to influence us, rather than the other way around. On pg. 20, it mentions Demas, someone who was burning bright with the love of Christ for a while, and then suddenly faded from fellowship and turned his back on Christ. It's tragic, and could happen to anyone of us.

"A love for the world begins in the soul. It's subtle, not always immediately obvious to others, and often undetected by the people who are slowly succumbing to its lies.
It begins with a dull conscience and a listless soul. Sin does not grieve him like it once did. Passion for the Savior begins to cool. Affections grow dim. Excitement lessens for participating in the local church. Eagerness to evangelize starts to wane. Growth in godliness slows to a crawl."

So, please ask yourself this...are you drifting?

"The greater our difference from the world, the more true our testimony for Christ - and the more potent our witness against sin."

Pastor Rick Holland reminded us of the frightening realities of hell on Sunday - a place of ETERNAL torment, where you have no relationships, friends or people to talk to, where it is totally dark, and you know that God is out there, but you cannot enjoy or feel His presence (Luke 16). How horrible is that? Many of us have loved ones that are on their way there...

HOW ARE YOU LIVING YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT BRINGS LIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THAT HONORS GOD, THAT DRAWS UNBELIEVERS TO CHRIST? Or are you indistinguishable from the world?

In the choices that we make day to day, how should we then live? Scripture commands us to be holy:

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" - 1 Pet. 1:14-15

To walk in a manner that is worthy:

"so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." - Col. 1:10

In obedience to His word:

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me." John 14:15, 21

Yes, I'll be the first to admit that it's very hard. We are all sinners. However, be honest with yourself, search your hearts (deceitful and misleading, and wretched as it is), confess your sins, and surrender it all to God. The book continues: "We must run to the cross where God's holiness and mercy intersect decisively. We find grace. Grace that forgives. Grace that empowers us to change. Grace that leads us to desire and pursue obedience."

Most of us have a healthy mind and volition, but we must train it to align with Truth and what Scripture teaches. Submit to God's authority and Lordship, yield to Him when He leads you and asks you to give things up that seem "pleasurable" or "exciting" or "desirable" for the moment, for things that are beneficial, honorable, and pure. God's best is always for our own good.

My dear friends, we are to be NEW creatures, set apart from the world because of the precious sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf:

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." - Col. 3:2,3

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - Gal. 5:24

God, I pray for more opportunities to shine your light in this fallen world, that I would not succomb to the lies, to continue to pursue You and glory for Your name alone.

Grace and peace to you.