Measurement…Whose Standard?

A dangerous wind is blowing in our time that children of God must be wary of. There are life changing statements that are being bandied around that do not change the inside of a person. No matter how high sounding sentences and phrases are if they are not based on the immutable word of God, they do not stand the test of time. For instance, the world believes we must operate in an atmosphere of correctness in order not to offend the sensibilities of others even if we have to lie and cheat. As a result certain character traits that were frowned at have now become the norm. It is not strange to come into the church and hear messages that leave the congregation hardened in their hearts against righteousness. No matter how much hype or pretensions, God’s word cannot be compromised, changed or downplayed. What God meant two thousand years ago, He still means today. In all the numerous civilizations of the past, God never changed nor did He replace or update His Word. His word is truth (John 17:17) and eternal. Friend, we have been called to a holy living and this word has not been changed upgraded or downgraded from when the Lord declared it: “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep My statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sets you apart” (Leviticus 20:7). No matter how socially correct we want to be, we have been called to a life of separation from the lusts of this world. We cannot claim to be children of God while carrying the lusts of the world in our hearts. Such a state taints our walk with the Lord and renders God’s word inoperable in our lives. This is not a hate or condemning piece but to remind ourselves that we serve an Uncompromisingly Righteous God. The life we have been called to is a life of holiness, a life that honors and pleases God not a life centered on the pleasures of sin. Friend, since you heard the call to serve God, how effective has your work for and in Him being? A poser: If the Lord comes now and your work is tested by fire, will it survive the testing? You may say yes. Great! Another poser: what about the thoughts of your heart, your motives and intentions for the ‘great work’ you are doing? It is not your words or action that define who you are contrary to the teachings of the world, it is the motives and intentions of your heart that determine if you are right with God or not. Our works are not measured physically by the physical results but are measured against the thoughts, intentions and motives of our hearts.  Good that ensues from a deceitful heart is not good but evil! Remember, the Tree of Good and Evil can only produce evil fruit because its roots are evil! Can you take a moment to pause and soberly weigh your heart, intentions and motives concerning certain issues that are occurring or have occurred in your life? Ask the Lord for help because: “Nothing profane will ever enter it; no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). May this be our prayer continually as David prayed: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). God bless you.