Read: Joshua 24:14-15
“But
if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this
day whom you will serve…” - Joshua 24:15
Why are so many people rabidly incensed at even the
mention of the name of Jesus, the word "Bible" or any quote from the Holy book?
They may be nursing an offense perpetrated by a Christian – either deliberate
or unintentional. This often turns people away from God. Also, running from conviction often
causes a person to feel malice toward the Almighty. The closer they come to a
face-to-face encounter with our Holy God, the louder they protest. The presence
of God threatens their immoral behavior and sheds light into their darkness.
God’s light causes sinners to resent and despise His presence in the universe.
There
is such a violent hatred toward God in our secular society, that He would be
crucified again today in the clutches of irate sinners. They did this in Jesus’
day as well. The crowds screamed for Jesus’ blood when Pilate offered them a
choice. Christ willingly relinquished His humanity on the cross, but maintained
His divine nature throughout His life and into eternity. Satan pierced the body
and soul of God with the scourging and crucifixion, but not His Spirit. Jesus
lives again and will eventually put Satan and sinners under His feet forever.
God will then take every true Believer to live with Him for eternity (2
Corinthians 5:1).
Who is your Boss, Satan or Almighty God? Paul
wrote His epistles to give us instruction on how to live the Christian faith.
First, he reminds us that we cannot save our self, and he encourages us to put
our total faith for salvation in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10). Then he exhorts us to live
in unity with each other and to walk in holiness as we serve God unreservedly
with undying love (Hebrews 13:1; Ephesians 6:24). Ultimately, Paul urges us
to live a life worthy of God’s calling and even to offer our body as a living
sacrifice if necessary (Ephesians 4:1; Romans 12:1).
Faced
with these inspiring principles to rely on, it is astounding that so many Christians
live a mediocre spiritual life. They exist with one foot in the world and one
foot in religious activities. They wear their “church clothes” only on Sunday
and then they live like the devil the rest of the week. This usually indicates a
heart problem. They made a mental decision to follow Christ, but inwardly they
are not changed at all. Their spirit is still dead in sin and they never fully
trusted in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ or completely surrendered
their will to the will of God. Are you one of these people? If so, get off the
fence and choose this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).
Prayer:
Father God, Elijah challenged the people of his day to stop wavering between two opinions. He stated that if You are God, then they should follow You; if Satan is god, then they should follow him (1 Kings 18:21). The people stood there in mute silence, because they could not make up their mind. Even if every person I know walks in the name of their false gods, I will walk in the name of the Lord my God for ever and ever. Amen (Micah 4:5).
Thought for the Day:
“Love the Lord our God with
all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” - Mark 12:30