Home | Truth Index

Religion(Christianity) is, wherever it exists, a matter of preference or choice; and the friend of God prefers His service to the service of the world." - Barnes' Notes 

At this time in your life, you may be enjoying a measure of success. In fact, you are tasting the "sweet fruits" of prosperity and hearing the resounding applause from family and friends. But deep down in your heart, you sense something isn't right. While man cheers at your great success, God is silent. Could it be that He, Who knows the hearts of all men, is fully aware that you compromised your godly standards for a few cheap and temporary thrills?  

We can't afford to lower our Christian standards - based on the Holy Word of God - for some "ready cash," "measure of success," or "applause" from others. 
 
a. We must choose for and not against Jesus.
 
John 3:36 - "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
 
We have the choice. We can obey the Lord and enjoy true happiness here and in the world to come, or we can disobey Him and face His most heavy and awful punishments here and hereafter.
 
b. We must choose good and not evil.
 
Amos 5:15 - "Hate the evil, and love the good..."
 
No matter what pressures surround us, we must hate sin and avoid all that which would ruin us and our families and cleave to that which is beneficial for us.
 
We will never be happy and enjoy the Presence of the Lord in our lives unless we decide that we will not be overcome by sinful pleasures as so many are in this day and age. We will hate its deeds and stand against it on all sides.
 
c. We must choose life and not death.
 
Deuteronomy 30:19 - "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
 
Though others may pressure us to do otherwise, we must choose to love and obey God with all of our hearts. Then and only then can we experience the life that is found in Him alone. If we reject Him and His ways, we know that we are faced with death and its awful consequences.
 
d. We must choose truth and not lies.
 
Psalm 119:30 - "I have chosen the way of truth..."
 
It's so easy to compromise. It's so easy to lie and twist the Truth for our own gain.
 
But we must make up our minds - no matter who likes it or not - that we will cling wholeheartedly to God's Word and rule our lives by it.
 
It must be our serious and deliberate choice to live godly and holily, renouncing all lies of the enemy to lower our holy standards in order to please the audiences.
 
e. We must choose God and not false substitutes.
 
Joshua 24:15 - "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
 
The world rejects Jesus and offers us many false substitutes to take His place in our hearts and lives.
We must boldly renounce all of their replacements - no matter what the cost.
Our stand must be - I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back, no turning back.
 
f. We must choose right and not wrong.
 
1 Kings 3:9 - "Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad..."
 
So many are seeking knowledge for pride's sake. But we seek "an understanding heart" so that we may easily discern between that which is right and wrong or just and unjust.
 
We are devoted to and employed by the Master. We seek that which will cause us to bring great pleasure to His name. A "discerning heart" is His gracious gift to all who will ask.  
 
g. We must choose suffering and not sinful pleasures.
                                                                                                                                
Hebrews 11:24-25 - "By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
 
Moses was willing to lay aside all of the splendid and brilliant prospects of Egypt's success so that he could identify himself with his poor, crushed, oppressed, downtrodden, and despised brethren. He refused "high honors" in order that he might share in the trials and sorrows of his friends.
 
We, too, as Christians must make the decision to follow the Lamb wherever He leads - even if it means forsaking all riches and worldly pleasures in order to fulfill the call of God on our lives. 
 
h. Lastly, we must choose Jesus as Lord and not Self.
 
Genesis 28:20-21 - "And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God."
Psalm 16:2 - "O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to Thee."
Psalm 140:6 - "I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God..."
 
The world is interested in one person alone - "Me."
 
As Christians, we must repel such ungodly inclinations to center our lives around ourselves. Self must be denied and crucified. Jesus is Lord. He is our support, refuge, shield and mighty Protector, goodness,  sovereign ruler, governor, and strength.
 
Our souls have pledged to obey Him no matter what the crowds say otherwise.  
 

 
Whenever there is "financial pressure" or "the influence of popular demand," how do you react?
Do you lower your standards and "produce some inferior works" so that you can have "ready cash and a measure of success"?
Are you so pleased with your progress because you hear the "applause of the audience"?  
 

Remember our opening quote from Barnes' Notes which says - "Religion (Christianity) is, wherever it exists, a matter of preference or choice; and the friend of God prefers His service to the service of the world."

 
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
 

Index