08/04/2019
Are you easily swayed towards the world, and away from righteousness, and the spirit? Do the things of the flesh entice you, and cause you to desire them day and night? Then these are the things which you have set your mind on, and their rewards have become your gods.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:5 ESV
We are unique, and wonderfully made creatures who are both physically, and spiritually in composition, but like a man who is born in a border town... we must choose allegiance, our country of citizenship. How will we choose between heaven and earth; spirituality, and earthiness?
I have two brothers who were born in Germany while my father was serving in the United States Army there. As a result of this they had to declare their citizenship when they came of age. They could have become German citizens just as easily as citizens of the United States. Although they had a birthright to German citizenship they were raised, taught, and steeped in American culture... they were American in every sense... so naturally, they chose the United States. Our earthly nature and spiritual natures require us to make a choice as well, and how we are raised, or what we steep ourselves in, will become the choice we will make. You see, there are some countries that accept dual citizenships, where you can chose to honor two sets of laws, and two masters, but our God is a jealous God and requires us to either choose Him only... or not at all.
“(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),”
Exodus 34:14 ESV
So we stand undecided until we reach that moment of decision; that time similar to my brother’s, when we must choose our citizenship. Will we choose to follow Jesus and serve God faithfully in spirituality? Or, will we remain in the physical world into which we were born. Choosing God requires us to believe in, and follow His Son Jesus Christ. Because it is only through Him that we can come to the Father.
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
So we must make the choice, and C.S. Lewis speaks to us rather profoundly regarding how we are to do this...
“When we turn our attention to what the Bible shows us about how to actually follow Jesus in daily life, two things stand out immediately: understanding and obeying his teaching and following his example.” - C.S. Lewis
We gain understanding by studying the Word of God, and concentrating on it. This is how we steep ourselves in spirituality and become transformed; leaving the worldliness behind. We hear this over and again in scripture...
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
And again in a more succinct form we read...
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:2-3 ESV
Then, having heard, concentrated on, and understood, we must obey, and conform to what we have come to know... become steeped in. However, having been immersed in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, our choice becomes easy... a natural one because of who we now are... God’s Children.
So when we find that the world is singing a siren’s song to us, and we are being tempted by worldly pleasures and riches, we need to take rein on out thoughts, and concentrate on things of the spirit... setting our minds on things above. By doing this we are pulling ourselves from the boiling pot of sin that is the world, and immersing ourselves in the cool waters of heaven. Satan looks for the indecision in us, and leads us to either choose the world, or to think we can straddle both, but only by choosing God can we stand firm, and experience eternal life in Heaven.
“He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”
Daniel 11:32 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, who has cleansed me, and taught me of you. Thank you Merciful Father for your Holy Spirit who has increased my understanding of your Word, by making clear to me those things that are beyond my ability to fathom. Help me Gracious Father as I concentrate on you, and steep myself in you through my attention to your love, goodness, and grace. Teach me to be more like you every day, so that my choices will always be spiritual over the earthly, and righteous over the sinful. Lead me Lord to declare my allegiance to you, and claim my citizenship in your heavenly abode. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and my King. Great are you who has taught me righteousness, and called me holy. Praised be your name for it is over all, and rings forth in all of creation. Your glory reigns, and your grace declares it. I worship you Father, and claim you as my King forevermore.
“"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Matthew 6:24 ESV
This is our choice to make... how will you choose today?
Rich Forbes