“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” Titus 1:16 (NIV) It’s quite unfortunate that there will be some Christians who think they’ll make it to heaven only for them to be denied entry at the heaven’s gate. On that fateful day, many will say to God, “‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’” Matthew 7:22 (NLT) Here is the question I want you to ask yourself as you read on: Are you fully committed or partially committed to God?
It is necessary to ask this question because some of us might be backsliding and might not realize it. The sad thing about backsliding is that it doesn’t just happen in an instant. The process of backsliding is often a slow process that even the backsliding individual doesn’t notice his sinking state. “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15 (NLT) These two verses tell us that backsliding is a process that progresses from lust to sin, which then results in death. Backsliding isn’t just in the form of sexual temptations, it comes in various ways.
Going to church on the weekends alone doesn’t make you a candidate for heaven. Some people are religious, but they aren’t genuine followers of Christ. Their ‘religiosity’ ends after the church door closes on Sunday. The way they live their lives during the week connotes that they’re shady Christians. For some of them, they do all the religious things ‘bigly,’ but their hearts and lifestyle betrays them. Some people who were once on fire for the Lord are now content with giving only their Sunday to God forgetting that He exists Monday-Saturday. They don’t see this as a state of backsliding because they’ve let the devil cloud their judgment. They use their jobs or other activities as an excuse for not being consistent in their devotion to God. Would you be willing to put your most cherished assets on the line for the things of God?
Okay, we know that God is kind and forgiving, but do we want to continue taking His kindness for granted? Some of us don’t know how much God despises double-living. It’s like you’re cheating on Him. If you are in a relationship with someone, would you like it if they regularly cheat on you? Probably not! One time is forgiving, but to do this on a constant basis, I don’t think you would want to continue with that relationship. This is the same way God feels when we continually cause Him grieve with our actions.
God doesn’t require much from us. What He expects from us is “…to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NLT). The part that seems difficult for most of us is the ‘walking’ part. Some of us find it difficult to involve God in our day-to-day activities. It is only when we walk with God that we are able to do the other things He requires of us. Most of us forget that one day we will give an account of everything we’ve done with our lives. We cannot continue to be lukewarm Christians because God promised in Revelations 3:16 that He will spit out Lukewarm Christians out of His mouth. The key to heaven and hell is in your hands; live wisely!
Blazer_ Saks Fifth Avenue
Shirt_ Michael Kors
Bow Tie_ Stafford
Pants_ Express
Loafers are unbranded
