I was thinking about how we, as humans seem to want “all we can get” without ponying up to our responsibility. Maybe it is a western culture thing, maybe it is a U.S. thing, maybe it is global….
In our jobs, we want top pay and great benefits, but complain about showing up for work. We show up, but find all the ways we can to avoid our duties – working as slowly as possible (if we are paid by the hour), taking longer breaks, stalling, surfing the internet, clocking in late and leaving early. Do we not remember the Lord says we are to do our work heartily as though doing it for the Lord Himself? Do we somehow think He cannot see us as we shirk our duties? Or that He is deaf to our grumbling and complaints? Don’t get me wrong, there are often times when changes at work must be made – a time and a place for grumbling – but not just grumbling for grumbling’s sake. Heck, if the job is that bad, move on!
Then in dating relationships – so many go for the superficial or the physical – seeking gratification – without taking the responsibility of making a commitment and seeing it through. We want to play but not pay. But the Lord says the marriage is good, and the marriage bed is to be held in honor. Do our lives display that in our dating? Do they display that in the jokes we tell or listen to, or in the shows we watch, or the magazines we read?
I think it is a sad commentary on humankind overall, but especially on God’s people when all too often others cannot tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian by the lives we live. We judge those who are not called to live by God’s standards, yet have our own multitude of grey areas that we sweep until the proverbial carpet, excusing them by saying “all things are lawful…”. Are they? Read on… “..but not all profitable.”
God has standards of conduct for His people. Not because He is a meanie, but because He is Holy and we are to be holy as well. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. Am I talking about becoming perfect? No, but about being willing to be perfected... conformed to His image. The Holy Spirit is there to guide and empower us to live lives worthy of the name of Christ. For you see, in the end, there is truly no greater joy than living a life of obedience, and hearing “Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.”
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