Your Labor is not in Vain

I sometimes find myself cringing at that messages that I believe God sometimes asks me to convey. For one I, like most people, on some level fear rejection and persecution. However, the fear does not run deep enough for me to refuse to be God's messenger.

Not only does the thought of rejection and persecution make me apprehensive but, so does the feeling of not being worthy. Nobody knows more clearly than oneself all of the sinful and reproachable things that they've done yet to still have God look at you and say "You are the one that I have chosen" is beyond comprehension.

Paul says it like this "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and HIS grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain...I Corinthians 15:9-10"

My spirit was burdened this evening with the thought of how passive we have become as believers. We have become passive in regards to Gods standards. We have brushed aside many fundamental Biblical principles by labeling them "Old Testament Legalism". We have strayed so far from the will of God that we have the audacity to scowl at God's word whenever it infringes on our acceptable status quo.

For instance, why do some "Christian" women become defensive when the word submission is spoken aloud? Is this not a biblical principle found all throughout scripture?

And why do some "Christians" give you the death stare at the mention of Halloween being a holiday that does not glorify God. I've had some "Christians" try to convince me of how they are not celebrating Halloween but, that they are celebrating "All Hallows Day" or "All Holy Day". Nothing I've seen in the way that "Christians" celebrate Halloween differs from the way in which unbelievers celebrate Halloween.

What if an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and told you that the reverencing of the "day of the dead" is repulsive to God, would your family fore go Halloween this October?

We, as believers, have formed some habits over the years which I will refer to as "worldly customs". These habits have become so normal for us that we are not even disturbed by there existence.

I flipped through the channels this evening and landed on the J.K. Rowling's special. The reporter stated that the first three Harry Potter movies grossed somewhere around 4 billion dollars. I silently wondered how many "Christian" dollars were included in that number.

The reporter then went on talk about the hours of research that went into choosing the spells, sorcery and witchcraft material included in the books and movies. I hear some "Christians" talk of how they must get the latest book for their children and I wonder if they've overlooked the fundamental biblical principle that says:

"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.There shall not be found am long you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer". Deuteronomy 18:9-11 (KJV)

"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in a fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead". Deuteronomy 18:9-11 (NIV)

We must get past the lure of worldly pleasures and get back to the "Good Works" of God. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies...of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-20(KJV)

We are in a dangerous place as believers when we read the word of God and not be compelled to conform to it. This is an indication that we have accepted the ways of the world as normal. Romans 12:2 "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."

That good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is what I desire, so much so that I am willing to die for it I Cor 15:31. I mean that both physically and spiritually. I pray that I don't have to experience a physical death for my faith however, I do understand that in order for me to grow and change into the image of Christ that I must die spiritually.

If you are upset by what I have written and refuse to change, don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. The word of God is what it is. I will tell you that, I am not concerned with your hurt feelings. I am more concerned with your salvation.

God has given us the power to be victorious over the sin in our lives. If you realize that there are some habits that you have picked up that do not glorify God, begin by telling HIM that you have messed up. Next, tell him that you want to do better and that you need HIS help. Finally, implement and accountability partner. It could be your spouse, a friend or family member. You will need to surround yourself with support and encouragement.

This subject matter may be a touchy one for many believers and unbelievers alike. You may not all agree with what I have written however, this is my blog and if what I write is offensive to you in anyway feel free to disagree in the privacy of your own home.

I am not open to any confrontational comments or debates. I will not participate in vain disputes over faith. Either you agree or you don't. I will on the contrary, address civilized questions and or comments.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.