~ "How to lose friends and disinterest people..."

Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Rom 1:32)

We can no longer sit on the fence or refuse to see God's hand in EVERYTHING. Some people see only what they want to see, praise only what they want to praise and do whatever it is that "feels good" at the time. If it comes down to choosing sides, I must go with the side of truth! It's about finding the right path to heaven - the one without continuing to do as we please and blame it on the Creator for "making us that way", it's about the ultimate sacrifice of letting go of the human trappings of wants and desires. We all WANT to be happy, to be accepted, to be loved.

Sin involves choice. God does not look favorably upon the habitual, unrepentant sinner. He has no place for them in his kingdom...and it's HIS kingdom, he gets to make the rules and whether we like them or not, they are HIS rules and we can either follow them willingly, or find some other "god" to meet our daily needs. But be reminded, there is only one, true God and his WORD IS LAW! I'm not about to impose my creative license of what he MIGHT mean! He's very specific and to the point; he doesn't leave room for doubt.

I've made a lot of wrong choices, bad decisions and have caused hurt and pain to others over the years. I made mistakes, I still do. The difference is that today, I am forgiven, my actions are called into question by one whose authority is greater than any man, woman, or child I have ever met or will ever meet. It is HIS approval that I seek, not that of my family and friends. In the end, he is all that matters! He is the one to whom I must answer. Acceptance sometimes means rejection. If I accept what is of God, then I must reject what is of Satan - for there is no middle ground, there is no "fence" to sit on.

Jesus calls us to be witnesses to his love. God sees sin as sin (be it murder, lying, stealing, blasphemy, or sexual immorality) (and that "mortal" and "venial" sin I was taught about is pure hogwash). Time and time again, he has wiped out entire nations for their flagrant disregard of his word. Failure to follow his law is sure to bring the death of a nation.

It's time to wake up and start to take responsibility for all of our actions in all of our affairs - not just the ones that we feel like tackling or the ones that won't lose us any friends. Just because it "feels good" doesn't mean we have the right to "just do it". Our sinful pride tells us that we have a "right to be happy" - but that does not come before God's right to be happy. Society's acceptance of sin changes; God's does not! We are told to abstain from what is sinful in nature - even if that means to harness what "comes natural" to an individual. God loathes the sin, not the sinner. Be abstinent in what is not pleasing to the Father and your blessings will multiply. Be engulfed in your sin and nothing you do will please him.

Christ is coming back! He will bring with him the judgement of the world and all that are in it. Are you ready to stand and be judged? Can you honestly say to him "I didn't know it was wrong?" Pray for strength now, pray for forgiveness now and get off that path you are on and find the one that leads to the Promised Land. It may not "feel" as good as the other path, but the reward at the end is eternal. That feeling will last a whole lot longer! Pleasure on earth is nothing compared to the pleasure that waits us if we accept and follow.

We each have our own "cross" to carry - but nothing will ever compare to the cross of Calvary. So take a deep breath and put that sin in its rightful place. Ask for strength to lead a life that is pleasing to God from this moment on and you will be protected! You may still be tempted, but you will have the strength to stand and face the enemy and say "my King has saved me and I am his"!