Whether we want to admit it or not, we are involved in spiritual warfare, continually. Many times I have wondered why I do some of the things I do, when in all actuality it is because those things belong to the camp I am following.
In the Book of Joshua, we read about choices. The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only hand-made idols. It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion — going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God‘s Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day.
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods you ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Here we have the example of how we should choose. We make the choice and declare it. However, what do we do with it after it’s made? How do we walk out our decision in our daily lives. What does it look like for a Christian to live their faith out publicly?
It’s not always easy, I’ll tell you that. I can’t tell you all of the mistakes I’ve made publicly. Not only does it feel like crap, it makes you look like a hypocrite. But guess what, I am still a human caught up in the flesh. As long as I am alive on this Earth, I will make mistakes. Thank God that Jesus understands me better than I understand myself. What am I saying, that we should go ahead and live any old way we want, I mean we are saved by grace, not works. Therefore there is nothing good enough I can do on my own, seems like Jesus has this covered.
Very loudly, I never said that!!! That is called greasy grace, and it’s an insult to the work Jesus did on the cross to save us. Peter had to deal with this very same teaching over 2000 years ago. This isn’t anything new.
Some false teacher’s had come through the area teaching the people that anything goes. The Law has been done away with and we’re all under grace. So Peter taught;
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
So brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will never fall away.” 2nd Peter 1:3, 10.
I would say that as a Christian, we have certain responsibilities to live according to our calling. I thank God that his grace and mercy are new each day, and that we have an advocate to go before the father on our behalf when we blow it, but even though grace is sufficient, it may not always be available when we want it to be.
The Bible says that today is the day of salvation, choose this day whom you will serve but as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord!
To learn more about Jesus, click on the church links on this page. If you need prayer or just someone to talk with, contact me directly; rlwhitener@gmail.com Be sure to include “prayer request” in the subject line.
Thanks for following along,
God Bless
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