So many people in this country say all the time they are Christians. They say that they believe in God. Yet so many of these people wallow in sin and feel no remorse over that sin. We are quick to pull the trigger on homosexuality as a horrible sin (which it is), but we neglect to talk about anger, pride, idolatry, envy, and stuff like that….we sweep that stuff under the rug. If you read Gal. 5:19-21 God lumps all of the above sins in with being sexually immoral. He does not just lump those sins in with immorality, He goes further and says if we are chasing stuff like this we’re not going to heaven. Take a look:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19-21).
This is serious! We have people who sit in church every Sunday who are just bitter and hard hearted, and they think they are right with God. Based on the Word of God if you are chasing sin over Jesus, you’re not saved. So how do we avoid this? What is the fix? Is there good news?
1. Stay activated in God’s word, read it often. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
The more you read God’s word the more aware you are of who you are and what God expects.
2. Get and stay connected into a Godly community (The Church). “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load” (Gal 6:1-5). A church is where you can find accountability, love, and reconciliation. Why would you not want this? A body of believers is where you can find a safe place to land and find true joy.
3. Seek to find and follow Jesus! He’s better. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33). “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11). “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lam. 3:25). “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
Stop chasing everything else. Chase Jesus. He’s better! If you seek Him and chase Him, He rewards those who seek Him! That’s good news!