Living Your Faith in a Secular Culture

 

We will have in our lives what we have chosen. We will be in our
lives whom we have chosen. If our lives are chaotic or inconsistent,
they only reveal the double-mindedness we have chosen in our hearts.

• Romans 1:18-32
• James 4:1-5
• Matthew 6:24; 10:37-38
• Mark 8:34-38

 

The Scripture says God’s invisible qualities are evident and that
men are without excuse. So our problem of living in obedience to God is not a
problem of uncertainty, regarding who He is or even what He wants. No, our
problem generally has more to do with our not liking the paths He chooses or
submitting to His absolute lordship.

Challenge: According to these two passages, why did the
Israelites really fail to enter God’s rest? Find the answer and you
will have discovered a great secret.

 

If we want to know why we struggle to live wholeheartedly for God, we must
ask Him to probe the root issues and divided loves of our hearts. Always the
matter will boil down to what we love. Always we will follow—and serve—what we
love most.

 

So what do you do if you realize that your choice for God is not clear and
that you are battling with warring desires? The answer is very simple: Cry out
to God. Be honest in your heart with God and tell Him the truth. If you are
unsure what the truth is, ask Him to show you. And then repent for not loving
Him.

 

When asked what the first and greatest commandment was, Jesus replied,
“‘“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all
your mind”’” (Matt. 22:37, NLT). All our psychological and physical needs are
met in the first commandment. And at the bottom of every sin is a breach of this
same commandment. All sin begins in the failure to love God more than self.

 

We were made to love God. Loving God wholeheartedly is the deliverance from
all addiction and the one need that will straighten out your entire life. Loving
God will solve all your problems with obedience. Jesus said, “‘If you love me,
obey my commandments’” (John 14:15).