Self-Centered Religion
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”
Colossians 1:18
The emphasis in many Christian circles is one of assuring one another of God being with us. We live our lives as we see fit and then seek confirmation from our leaders that He is there to bless us, rescue us, and guard us against the repercussions of our wrong decisions. Very little consideration is given to our obedience to Him. The real question of Life is; are we abiding in Him, is His will becoming our own.
The truth is, He is to have preeminence in our lives. We are to follow Him while much of the Gospel preached today is one of God following us. He does in great love watch over His Own but His Own are to hold Him within their hearts. They live to serve Him, honor Him, and give Him their life on a continual basis.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2
“The greatest mistake any Christian can make
is to substitute his own will for the will of God”
Harry Ironside
Ω
“Jesus of Nazareth always comes asking disciples to follow him–not merely “accept him,” not merely “believe in him,” not merely “worship him,” but to follow him: one either follows Christ or one does not. There is no compartmentalization of the faith, no realm, no sphere, no business, no politic in which the lordship of Christ will be excluded. We either make him Lord of all lords, or we deny him as Lord of any.”
―
Brian Troxel
Amen!
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
There are so many more places in Scriptures we could refer to. Abiding in Him by staying in His word!
A very defining scripture of our place in this world… we are in it but not OF it.
May you both keep sharing the word and thank you for the comment!
BT
We are either in Christ or we are not, as revelation states the church of the La-od-i-ce’-ans were luke warm and on the fence in their believing of which God will spew them out of His mouth if they remain undecided in serving Him (Revelation 3:14-16). We either walk with Him completely and sacrifice our life to serve Him or we are no different than the La-od-i-ce’-ans. Blessings Always.
Julia
Amen! Love the fire.
BT