It Just Makes Sense – 3.12.09

Jeremiah 7:8-10 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

As I read through books like Jeremiah that describe the horrible spiritual condition the Jewish people were in, I am often shocked to realize how often we as Christians are guilty of the very same things.

Take this passage for instance. The Jews Jeremiah preached to thought that being one of God's chosen people and showing up every now and then in the right place of worship justified the wicked lives that they were living.

I believe it's safe to say that such an attitude is prevalent in the churches of America. And it shouldn't come as any surprise. The church has failed to heed the warning in Jude 1:4 about certain men who would creep in unawares and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness – that is, use God's free gift of salvation as an excuse to live whatever kind of life you want.

There may not be much we can do about the sad state of "Christianity" in America, but what we can do and what we need to do is determine whether or not there any traces of such an attitude in our own hearts.

Now, you ought to be a Christian, and you ought to go to the right kind of church – one that believes and preaches the word of God, without apology. Not only that, you ought to be involved in the outreach ministry of that church just as much as possible.

But God's not OK with your just being a Christian, going to the right church, and participating in the evangelism every now and then – IF you think that means you're OK and/or use it as an excuse to pursue the course you've charted out for your own life.

Young person, I'm so glad you're in the right kind of church, and I praise God for every time you join us in spreading the gospel message to your community. But God wants more than that. God deserves more than that. He wants your heart. He expects and He accepts nothing less than absolute surrender to HIS WILL for your life.

The fact that God Almighty sent His Son to die for our sins so He could offer us a free gift of eternal life and put us into His church is not an excuse to do whatever you want with your life. When you think about it, it's actually a really good reason to do whatever HE WANTS with your life.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.