If we desire to go to church, in order to learn and grow in the faith of Jesus Christ, then that is a very good thing. It is also a good desire to worship God with others in the faith. This is why we have church. However, what is not good is when every other day of the week is not given over to God. I often wonder how people can give an hour and a half to three hours at church on the weekend, but cannot even give Him an hour during the week. In my time talking to people that say they are Christian, they can easily think of all the hours they have watched TV, been on their phone or tablet, played video games, or spent time with their family and friends, but not their time with God. They may say that they give God a few minutes each day in prayer, while over their food, but that is it. Therefore, no real time is given to God in worship, prayer, or reading the Bible. This is the issue that I am trying to make sense of, as is God, for it is a big problem in our day. How come these same people desire to be saved and go to heaven, but they aren’t willing to give that same God any real time during the week. What God desires is people that truly love Him enough, and obey His commandments. This is when the Holy Spirit will come into a person’s life. Jesus said, 1“if ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17) This is what people are missing out on. Because they do not have the Spirit with them, their ways are higher and God is forgotten. It isn’t until the weekend comes, that their wicked heart turns back to God. Now, I am not saying that turning to God is bad, but what would happen to that same person if they were to die in some freak accident, during that week? Would that person be saved?
To answer this question, you must first understand what it means to be saved. Jesus is our authority on this topic, and He said that unless a person is born of the Spirit they are not saved. Now please read what he said here, 1“verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8) He also talked about living for Him by saying, 1“for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:17-19) As Jesus said, a Christian life is also a changed life, by way of the Holy Spirit. Our own beliefs or good deeds will not save us, but a faith that is built upon Jesus will. This happens when a person is baptized and is regenerated by the Holy Spirit. They are then raised into new life in Christ Jesus, and He is able to lead them. So, for the Lord to lead a person, they must first give Him their hand and be willing to give up what God hates and do as He says. The Lord can then fill them lead them on the right path, through the Bible and daily prayer. This is the kind of person that lives for God outside of church, and are saved. If you are not one of these people, then repent and allow Jesus to change your life.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will remember You every day of their lives. May they no longer worship You one day a week, but each day live for You. I’ve seen enough people go to church, but during the week be someone entirely different. This is when I know that their time for You is dwindling. They may worship You and read Your Words in church, but outside of those walls, they are different. Because the Holy Spirit is not a part of their lives, they do what they will, instead of follow You. Oh, how I wish that people would see the danger they are in, while living this way in sin. They are trampling under their feet Your commands, while giving into the lusts of their flesh. This is only pulling them further away from You. Their desires for evil deeds is what is killing a real relationship with You in prayer. I know from experience how bad this really is and only wish the best for these people, by calling them to repentance. Lord, wake them up to their sins, that they may confess them openly to You. Humble them, that they may realize how far gone they really are without You, their Savior. Surely, our souls are at stake ,if we are not seeking You daily in prayer and reading the Bible. We have no compass to direct our paths when You are not leading us. And because sin has taken over our lives, the Spirit cannot dwell with us. For this reason Lord, convict us when we are wrong. I also pray that people will listen to You, as I have. There is so much joy and peace that comes from doing as You command. It is so good to go into church after having sought You throughout the week. Our time in fellowship with others, worshipping, and learning is that much better also. This is I pray that more people will know this also and live as You would lead them. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1John 3:1-21 (KJV)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
2John 14:15-24 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.