Happy Sabbath friends! Today’s Daily Bread topic will discuss how we can live in this world but not be a part of it. We live in a world where lines are often blurred. Where right and wrong have some how meshed and become harmoniously one. But this is not Biblical. God would not have us do His will, and in the same respect do the things that will appease the world. Ever see people who profess to be Christian, but yet use their gifts, for example the talent of singing to only minister to the world through R&B/Hip-Hop or something not of God?
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. – (Matthew 6:24)
Jesus himself tells us, we can not in any way, shape or form, serve (do, act up, follow) two things at the same time. We’ll either love one and then truly hate the other, or we’ll have one be dear to us, and the other be our enemy. Then He says, we cannot serve God and mammon. The word mammon refers to material riches and wealth, in other words, what Jesus is saying is that: we cannot wholeheartedly serve God, that is, seek God..but in the same stretch chase after money. Now going back to our music example, what often drives a musician? A singer? An artist? Anyone who wants to be more than average in this world? 9 times out of 10, money and riches will be the answer. It’s amazing to see Jesus telling us, quite upfront, it’s impossible to serve God if our desires and purpose is only after wealth, riches and things of this earth. Remember the story of the Rich Young Ruler? (see Luke 18:18-25) He was disappointed when Jesus told him to sell all he had and give to the poor. Why? Because the riches/wealth of this world were far too dear to give up, even if it mean’t having lived for nothing.
You see, we can tell ourselves that because we go to church, or because we profess to be Christians, we are. But not so! Unless our words, our lifestyles and our daily habits reflect who Jesus is, not only to ourselves, but to others, we aren’t truly serving Jesus, and surely aren’t putting his name sake “Christianity” to good use. Imagine, we can be in church today, and at the club tomorrow? Oh, or we can sing a “God-delivered me, and saved me” song today at church, but in a mere few hours, curse and use profane words? Doesn’t make sense does it? And anyone can see, that does not reflect Jesus in truth and in deed.
We are called to be a separate people, a chosen generation, a people that are for God and God alone! Come what may, we stand fast to His word, and His will is what we obey. If Jesus tells us to put away the pornography, the worldly music such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, Kompa, Merenge, Salsa, Jazz, the partying and cursing, the lewd behaviors the bad attitudes, etc, because these things bring no glory to His name, we ought to put them away without remorse! Just as Jesus came and laid His life down for us (John 3:16-18), so we ought to live and die for Him also.
We all want to be a part of that kingdom in that great day, and what a sad thing it would be to have lived our lives, calling ourselves Christians, but have been denied into the kingdom of heaven, because we failed to put away worldly things. I implore us all today, to take a moment to fast and pray about the things in our lives that are hindering us from being true and sincere worshippers of Jesus. We’re living in days when the world has no fear to profess it’s love of the devil. Why then are we hiding and being quiet about Jesus, or even more, compromising our Christianity to meet the standards of the world?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. – Matthew 5:48
May God bless us all abundantly, and fill us with His Holy Spirit to guide us into perfect peace and truth, and may He separate us from the world and keep us on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life.
