2 Peter 3:11-12 “Therefore,
since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking
for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”
When I was asked to give my
testimony at our church’s monthly Men’s Fellowship breakfast, I spent almost
four days of honest soul searching and prayerful reflection of a Spirit-led
life, which landed on a revelation that, whether speaking of your earthly
family or your heavenly family, “whose you are has a direct bearing on who you
are”. What is really important in life and living is built upon a foundation
(solid, stable and strong or weak, shifting and unreliable). Over the years,
I’ve seen, heard and experienced many issues, situations, teachings that cut
through the distractions and rabbit trails to build godly wisdom and create
peace. Know the difference between “right” and “wrong”, then choose to do what
is “right” in the eyes of the Lord. Secular humanists, by nature, do what is
right in the eyes of themselves. “If it feels good, do it” was the maxim of the
godless existentialist, living for today and disregarding the past or the
future. Yet, this life philosophy is aligned with the devil and in direct
opposition to the sovereign Creator God. Which foundation are you standing and
building upon? You cannot have both and the one you choose determines your bent
towards life and direction of your walk.
2 Timothy 3:2-5 “ For
men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control,
brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness
but denying its power.”
Hedonism is defined as
the doctrine that personal pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good
and pursuit in life. This ungodly belief system based upon pride is epidemic in
society and easily manipulated to sway and/or control the masses. Love of
“self” is a given. The commandment “love your neighbor as yourself” assumes
that you already love and care for yourself. God created mankind, so there is a
healthy love and care for that is natural, but excess of anything is unhealthy
and has a negative affect. The commandment to “deny yourself, take up your
cross and follow me” by Jesus is to regulate the overindulgence and restore the
balance that God intended for a joyful and fruitful life. The recognition and
elimination of sinful vices returns us to a “right” relationship with God and
man. Ephesians
4:31 says, “Get rid of all
bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil
behavior.” Start by standing on the “right” foundation. The Word of God is
our Owner’s Manual with basic instruction on “How I Should Live” as a child of
God, saved by grace through faith … faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
And the “born again” Christian is given the Counselor (the indwelling Holy
Spirit) to guide our hearts, minds and steps with love, joy and peace today.
Galatians 5:25-26 Since
we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not
become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
As sinners forgiven and saved,
let us give praise, honor, glory and adoration to God by our unselfish lives,
our righteous living and our holy attitude in both.
In Christ, Brian