The old adage, “Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch,” is applicable to Christian living. When a Believer strives to have a closer relationship with God, it’s going to happen. Dedication improves, while commitment becomes foremost.
If a Christian’s prayer life lapses into laziness and Bible study declines, sensitivity to God diminishes. Godly interests begin to compete with unimportant matters such as material gain or worldly pleasures. Satan uses insignificant, trivial things to draw the attention of Christians away from God.
It is sad when a Christian reneges on their commitment to God. It slows down forward motion. Their walk with Him begins to waiver the more they relax and settle into the status quo of “just living life.” A mindset of “oh well” develops, and coasting through life manifests itself if adjustments are not made. This lifestyle is not an option for Christians. I believe they step forward in Jesus or backwards into self-absorbed ruination. There is no middle ground according to God.
(Revelation 3:15-16) “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” v.16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Spiritual maturity is affected in a positive or negative way depending on what things are allowed to feed one’s mind. If a person is lax regarding the eye and ear gates, attitudes are negatively influenced. The heart begins to harden like a stone and loses sensitivity to God. It ceases to be a heart of flesh that is pliable to the Holy Spirit. Coldness and indifference to the things of God take up residence, while spiritual wellbeing begins to decline and the awareness of God’s presence grows faint.
If the neglect of Godly influences persists, there is a falling back into the old, carnal nature that Jesus saved us from. It’s dangerous ground to tread upon. Before long, the desire to attend church and to fellowship with Christians of like faith dwindle. The burning zeal to do God’s work becomes secondary to the things of the world.
(Matthew 16:26) “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Christians must keep the forward momentum going lest they become bogged down with the weight of complacency. Forging ahead through daily challenges, in the power of God, prevents mundane living from getting a foothold.
As long as forward motion is practiced and maintained, the saying “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins,” is realized by the one maintaining discipline, because their mind is centered upon Jesus. They realize that a committed walk, coupled with intestinal fortitude, is imperative to achieve victorious living.
“Keep on keeping on,” are four words that describe Christians that are successful followers of God’s Word. Triumphant living remains strong, untouched and unshaken by selfish desires when forward motion is put into practice.
Hobbies are another concern. For the most part they are fun and acceptable pleasures, as long as they don’t interfere with serving God. If hobbies captivate our thinking to the point of obsession, perhaps an evaluation of activities is in order.
(Matthew 6:19-21) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;” v.20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” v.21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
An idle mind produces problems. If we allow our mind the satisfaction of idleness, it can become the workshop of the devil. Christians must guard their mind against complacency as well as over indulgent, recreational playtime. The Bible is specific when it gives caution in (Proverbs , 16). “Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.” v.16 “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die.”
(Isaiah 26:3) “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” As Christians move forward in faith, God’s blessings follow. When they sense that things aren’t quite right spiritually, with feelings of being out of step with God, it is the Holy Spirit making them aware that changes need to be made. As soon as this is done, forward motion resumes and peace of mind returns.
The following song lyrics are certainly true. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Christians cannot remain motionless and expect to survive spiritually. They will either advance in Christ, or retreat in shame. My desire is to maintain my forward motion in Jesus Christ and live a victorious, fulfilled life.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
No comments:
Post a Comment