Last week we looked at David’s multiple
wives(1 Sam 25:36-44), and we were able to make a comparison to our own Christian walk: That trying to walk with God, and dance with
the world at the same time is a recipe for disaster!
When we dance with the world, relationships are formed that
vie for our attention, we establish a place in the social network, we make
compromises that we have to hide. And
these things impact our ability to walk with God
They will pull us away from the people of God
They will pull us away from the house of God
We form connections to people and practices that can impact
us for the rest of our lives. We end up doing
things that we cannot undo.
It’s been said that the most miserable
place for a Christian to be is to have one foot in the church, and one foot in
the world. Why? Because it places you in
the middle of a war
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another. (Gal 5:17)
In war there will be carnage. There will be blood, and it will be yours.
The Christian life is not just “I’m saved,
I have my ticket to heaven,” but a life lived as a disciple of Jesus Christ. God
calls us to be set apart:
Do not be unequally yoked together with
unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what
communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or
what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple
of God with idols? (2 Cor 6:14-16)
God warns us not to become yoke into
relationships with things that are not of the Lord. That doesn't mean that you shouldn’t
ever talk to an non-Christian. If that were
the case no one would ever believe! Jesus had many interactions with sinners;
He was even accused of being a “friend of sinners!” But if we look at Jesus' life, everywhere He went
He radically changed the lives of the people he came in contact with.
Real life example: Say one of your co-workers throws a big party
where there is going to be drugs, drunkenness and debauchery, and they ask you
to attend. They say “I know you’re a
Christian, but can’t you have a little fun?
You can always go to church on Sunday!”
Now, if you go to that party in the power
of the Holy Spirit, and you’re sharing Christ, and people begin turning from
their sin, repenting, and you start baptizing people in the hot tub… then
GREAT! You’re doing exactly what Jesus
did! Go for it!
But if you go to that party, and instead of
them becoming more like you, you become more like them; that’s not a good sign.
And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2)
What’s the big deal? God has not just
called us to be set apart, He has give us promised with that calling:
For you are the temple of the living God.
As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore
“Come out from among them and be
separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is
unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you
shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor 6:16-18)
- “I will…” God is not asking us to be rule-keepers, He is telling us He will be with us: that We are His, and He is ours.
- “Come out” – “I will” - this is not just a separation from the world, but a separation unto God. Opening our hearts to Him, and allowing Him to fill us completely with all that He is.
- “Sons & Daughters” – This is the most intimate description of the relationship God offers us: not servants, not followers, not groupies; but sons and daughters of the King of Kings!
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