01/04/2026
As Christians we claim that Jesus Christ is Lord, but so many of us continue to fret over the world as if it still reigns supreme in our lives... and when we do this, it will reclaim that throne. Are we one of those who says that they trust in God, and then busily works at trying to solve the world’s problems ourselves rather than trusting in Him? Are national and world politics more than casual interests to us? Do we worry ourselves sick over our health and dying despite knowing that we are already dead to this world, and are eternally secure in the next? Well let’s revisit our faith, who we are, and who we are worshiping.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Ephesians 2:13 ESV
Jesus is a game changer! When He came into the world He changed the entire dynamic of how mankind was to interact with God. No longer were believers to worry about dealing with sin as best they could while waiting hopefully for the future arrival of the Messiah; He had arrived. Suddenly the focus shifted from one of fretfully obeying the law while waiting for the promised coming, to one of being forgiven in Christ, and becoming a child of God. So why then do we continue to place the world and its trappings ahead of God?
“"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
In this particular scripture, Jesus speaks of serving God or money, but He could easily have used other comparisons... how about God or lust, God or worldly power, God or personal health, or any number of other competitors for our attention and worship? Which hot topic is stepping between us and God? Is it who is President of the United States? How about the advancement of an underprivileged group, or the fear of a dictator on the far side of the world? Has the evening news replaced the Bible as our guide to understanding and interacting with our world? Do we believe that talking heads on television speak more truth to us than God, Jesus, or the Apostles?
Jesus died to sin; He paid little to no attention to anything else. He didn’t rail against Rome, or chastise the Jewish faith, and He didn’t take Israel to task as God had done so often in the past... no, he was concerned with a single grass root agenda, the salvation of our individual souls. He taught us to live meagerly in the world around us; to give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to concern ourselves first and foremost with seeking the Heavenly Kingdom, and worshiping God.
“For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:10-11 ESV
In my devotional reading this morning Pastor Andrew Murray wrote of how we as Christians should be in relationship with God through Jesus. Murray talked about abiding in our faith in God and looking no further for comfort. Let’s listen to his words...
“In this relationship with God he possesses all that he needs; he lacks no good thing. His soul is kept in perfect rest and peace because God is with him. God’s eye is ever upon him, guiding him. In fellowship with God he is able to hear the softest whispers of the Holy Spirit. He learns to understand the slightest sign of his Father’s will and to follow it. His strength continually increases, for God is his strength and God is ever with him.” - Andrew Murray
So, if we believe this then two questions become all important... who do we serve, and where do we seek our strength and comfort? There is an epidemic in the world today, but it isn’t a bodily one... it is spiritual! Our spirit selves are becoming ill, and it isn’t by accident. Don’t allow Satan to step from the television screen or the newspaper into a place of prominence in your life. Don’t allow the happenings of this world to distract you from your belief. Don’t allow Church infighting to destroy your faith. These are spirit infecting germs spread by the dark one. Trust in God to deal with the world. Lift up your concerns regarding the Church to Him and then let Him have them both. Jesus has overcome both sin and the world…
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for having dealt with my sin through your Son Jesus Christ, and for separating me spiritually from the world so that I can worship you without distraction. I thank you for hearing my prayers regarding the ills I see around me, and I thank you for taking them from me so that my spirit can rest and find peace in you. Help me Father to resist the temptation of placing worldly things foremost in my mind and remind me always that this world is your concern and not mine. Build my trust in you so that I can effortlessly place my troubles in your hands and have faith in your provision. Teach me Holy Father how to live in this world as you would have me live; teach me how to address my daily concerns as your will dictates, and not as my worldly fears drive me to do. I praise you Father for your Son Jesus Christ, your Holy Spirit, and the forgiveness you have provided me. I praise you Abba for calling me to you and taking me as your child. Comfort me Holy Father and shield me from the sin and evil that seeks to tempt me and draw me away from you at every turn. Come quickly Lord Jesus to complete in the world what you have begun in me.
“Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:31-33 CSB
“So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”
Matthew 6:31-33 CSB
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!
Rich Forbes