Before any one of us takes another step or makes another move we should be sure that what we do will matter. In other words, does our deeds have any value? For deeds to have value they must have meaning. For something to have meaning it must last, it cannot be temporary. The only thing that lasts forever is the Almighty God in heaven. The only things that matter are those that serve the Almighty. Everything else will vanish with time and make no difference in the end.
It makes me sick to see people who call themselves "Christian" when it's convenient, and I suppose they like the idea that they won't burn in hell for eternity. For them the take-it-off-the-shelf religion is like a fire insurance policy, as if they are doing business with the local church. They have no idea that Jesus requires much more. He requires a person's whole life, their entire self to be commited to Him. Read what he says in Luke 14:26-27. In fact, a Christian must be willing to die for Christ. Read Mark 8:34-38. Few there are that can do this, Matthew 7:13-14. And some mistakenly believe they're saved, Luke 13:24-30.
I think the biggest problem in America can be defined in the parable of the sower and the seed found in Luke 8 and Matthew 13. Most are willing to accept the gospel unlike the first soil. Most recieve and remain faithful to the gospel unlike the second soil. But there are few Americans today that are unlike the third soil. I used to be like this soil untill I focused on God's word and made the realization that everything I was worried about or chasing after was completely meaningless. Most Americans would make great fruitful Christians if they would just turn off the TV, or stop worrying about work, or chasing after wants. All of these things are weeds that keep us from knowing God and Christ. We are foolish to devote ourselves to anything but that which is eternal. That means putting God before family, certainly before career, and most of all, self. There is only one thing that ultimately matters and that is being with our Creator in heaven. Moreover, the Lord has given opportunity for us to "have treasure in heaven," and "he will reward each person according to what he has done" (Mat 16:27). What more meaningful thing to do than honor the Lord with righteous acts and build up treasure in heaven.
It makes me sick to see people who call themselves "Christian" when it's convenient, and I suppose they like the idea that they won't burn in hell for eternity. For them the take-it-off-the-shelf religion is like a fire insurance policy, as if they are doing business with the local church. They have no idea that Jesus requires much more. He requires a person's whole life, their entire self to be commited to Him. Read what he says in Luke 14:26-27. In fact, a Christian must be willing to die for Christ. Read Mark 8:34-38. Few there are that can do this, Matthew 7:13-14. And some mistakenly believe they're saved, Luke 13:24-30.
I think the biggest problem in America can be defined in the parable of the sower and the seed found in Luke 8 and Matthew 13. Most are willing to accept the gospel unlike the first soil. Most recieve and remain faithful to the gospel unlike the second soil. But there are few Americans today that are unlike the third soil. I used to be like this soil untill I focused on God's word and made the realization that everything I was worried about or chasing after was completely meaningless. Most Americans would make great fruitful Christians if they would just turn off the TV, or stop worrying about work, or chasing after wants. All of these things are weeds that keep us from knowing God and Christ. We are foolish to devote ourselves to anything but that which is eternal. That means putting God before family, certainly before career, and most of all, self. There is only one thing that ultimately matters and that is being with our Creator in heaven. Moreover, the Lord has given opportunity for us to "have treasure in heaven," and "he will reward each person according to what he has done" (Mat 16:27). What more meaningful thing to do than honor the Lord with righteous acts and build up treasure in heaven.
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