Sept 09, 2020
Good Morning Fellow Travelers,
Read: James 1:19-27
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Mat 7:21-23)
Do you profess to know Christ, but yet continue to walk in sin? Are you engaged in the work of the Lord when you know full well that you are living hypocritically? Are you hiding behind the façade of strict legalism?
If there is anything that turns seekers of Christianity into skeptics and atheists, it is the professing Christians who do not walk like Christ. Let’s be real Christians. The spirit of Christ should be evident in our lives as it was in the life of John the Baptist.
A Hindu skeptic once asked these questions to Ravi Zacharias: “If this conversion is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians that I know? If there is only one way, how is it that there are so few in all creation who qualify and why are there so few living it out?” Skeptics are quick to notice this disparity.
I’d like to share a burden that is on my heart. If you and I appreciate our salvation like we say we do, it should be evident by our daily obedience to Christ. Why are we so worldly in our desires and way of life? We should possess a godly hatred for sin. We tend to be strong in condemning our neighbors’ immoral lives. Yet many times we blatantly follow the American dream, acting as if there is no judgment for loving the world and its lusts.
I am forever grateful that the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ delivers me from the bondage of sin.
The Christian life is a call to holiness. It is a call to righteous living. We as Christians should live soberly and in view of eternity. May we never again anger a skeptic by living a double life that causes him to say, “Your arguments are very persuasive and powerful, but your personal life does not walk your talk.” God forbid.
~ James Baer
