Are These People Putting You In Danger Of Eternal Hell Fire?
Most people put a lot of effort into being like others around
them. We also tend to follow the thoughts or opinions of society
threw television, movies, books and the internet. People just
have a natural tendency to just want to fit in.
But, as believers we are under particular scrutiny, especially
by people who do not share our faith.
We should be Holy because we should reflect God's character, He
is our heavenly father, He has created us, He has chosen us as
His own, therefore we should be Holy because He wants us to be
like Him.
So instead of trying to fit into society we should be
concentrating our efforts on fitting into God's plan and
likewise getting others to fit into His plan as well.
1st Corinthians 10:31-32 "Therefore whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offence,
either to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the church of God."
God wants us to take seriously the privilege of representing
Christ in our homes, communities, and workplaces.
But the question is why are we more likely to be more concerned
about what others might think or say about us if we stand up for
God in these situations?
What we lack in most cases is a healthy fear of God. This fear
of the Lord would enable us to resist sin as well as risk the
wrath and ridicule of the unbelievers and the wicked who take up
most of the common views in our society, which are contrary to
what we believe.
That fear of the lord will give us courage, direction, and
motivation to make tough choices and live with Godly behavior
despite the consequences brought to us by the wicked.
We know from scripture that God is a God of love who shows mercy
to sinners but the book of psalms indicates that He hates people
who commit iniquity and wickedness.
God definitely gets angry at sin that injures and destroys His
creation, but God's righteousness is not a fit of anger. It is
rather a carefully considered application of a just disapproval
and penalty against wrong doing.
In fact if you give up sin to the best of your ability the lord
will honor your prayer's more, show you more miracles, and bless
you more often than not.
Isaiah 59:1-2 "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it
cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But
your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
He takes our sin seriously; therefore, we need to take His
Holiness seriously. Delight in God's law, meditate and commit to
God's ways.
This includes defending God and making a stand against anyone
who would have us do otherwise. Which also includes mom, dad,
brother, sister, best friend, teacher, and so on and so forth.
Take a look at what Jesus has to say about this.
Matthew 10:34-36 "Think not that I am come to send peace on
earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to
set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter
against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother
in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
But Wait, Jesus also goes on to say the following.
Matthew 10:37-38 He that loveth father or mother more than me is
not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than
me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Those who wish to take up their cross and follow Jesus must pay
the price of repentance.
Repentance is merely saying "I am sorry for my sins" and
actually meaning it. It may also be accomplished by tears and a
sad countenance but true repentance means turning from wicked
ways, from thoughts or acts that displease God and turning
toward a life that reflects Godly ways.
Psalms 5:4. "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in
wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You."
It's common today for us to excuse our faults with the attitude,
"Nobody's perfect" or say "God will forgive me of my sins".
While these are true and can be used to argue a point of no one
person being better than another no matter how good they think
they are, because "All fall short of the glory of God". It
should not be used as an excuse to continue sinning if you
understand what you are doing is wrong.
Most importantly, try to be strong and deligent in keeping God's
word and don't let anyone change your mind concerning the doing
of God's will because your salvation may depend on it.