The Bible tells us that the ways of the world are the opposite of the ways of Jesus Christ. Somehow, we mix that up and think that we can do life buffet style-- take some of the world and some of Jesus for our own personal mix of favorites. But that is not how it works.
Sin does not mix with righteousness. This is why in the old testament, before Jesus and grace, the Lord had His people stay separate from the rest of the nations that were living in sin. Additionally, they had to purify themselves of their sins and unrighteousness through sacrifices. But no human could keep up to that standard and God could not bear the separation that sin caused between Him and His beloved people. In steps Jesus to bridge the sin gap between us and God. He provided the ultimate sacrifice and gave us a better path to righteousness-- Himself. He does the work through us, if we only seek Him and allow Him.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
We have grace, through Jesus, to make mistakes. We are human and we mess up, so we repent and God forgives us and we move forward without judgement. However, we need to choose Jesus over the world and not straddle the line between the two. You can only have ONE. They repel one another! Either you will be living in sin and straying farther away from Jesus, or you will be living in Jesus and straying away from sin. The choice is entirely yours.
Today I encourage you to start paying attention to the choices you are making. Compare them with the Bible. Find out for certain what is from God and what isn't and apply that filter in your life. Be careful that you are not walking in sin and straying from Jesus. But the good news is that if you seek to walk in His ways, you will automatically begin to hate sin as He hates sin. But it all starts with knowing the difference. Make the decision to stop straddling the border between death and life. Choose life.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (NIV)
1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. (ESV)
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (ESV)
Joshua 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (ESV)
Sin does not mix with righteousness. This is why in the old testament, before Jesus and grace, the Lord had His people stay separate from the rest of the nations that were living in sin. Additionally, they had to purify themselves of their sins and unrighteousness through sacrifices. But no human could keep up to that standard and God could not bear the separation that sin caused between Him and His beloved people. In steps Jesus to bridge the sin gap between us and God. He provided the ultimate sacrifice and gave us a better path to righteousness-- Himself. He does the work through us, if we only seek Him and allow Him.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
We have grace, through Jesus, to make mistakes. We are human and we mess up, so we repent and God forgives us and we move forward without judgement. However, we need to choose Jesus over the world and not straddle the line between the two. You can only have ONE. They repel one another! Either you will be living in sin and straying farther away from Jesus, or you will be living in Jesus and straying away from sin. The choice is entirely yours.
Today I encourage you to start paying attention to the choices you are making. Compare them with the Bible. Find out for certain what is from God and what isn't and apply that filter in your life. Be careful that you are not walking in sin and straying from Jesus. But the good news is that if you seek to walk in His ways, you will automatically begin to hate sin as He hates sin. But it all starts with knowing the difference. Make the decision to stop straddling the border between death and life. Choose life.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (NIV)
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (ESV)
Joshua 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (ESV)
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