Message from Scripture: 12/02/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Pet. 4:2-3; “Live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do.”

 

Life in the 1^st century was one filled with all types of temptations, just as life is today. While there was various types of religious expression, most of it was degrading and immoral. It was established on base desires, not that which offered to build up and encourage people to be their best. Paul offers this summation of why so many people were looking for something better in life. “Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more” (Eph. 4:17-19).

 

This pretty much still describes how so many people try to find purpose for their lives today, only to still find themselves empty. He adds, “That is not how you came to know Christ” (Eph. 4:20). A worldly lifestyle will not produce a spiritual relationship with God. The sins of the past should be just that, past. Christ offers us so much more if we will leave them in the past, and live for Him instead. However long one lived for sinful desires is enough. It’s time to live for Christ, and find all the blessings He offers for those who are in Him.

 

Today, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not the world around us, not Satan and sin. In Him we find what an abundant life is really all about. The world needs to see true Christianity in us, that it can leave behind the condemnation of sin and have life that lasts forever. Let’s show them the way. God bless.

 

Robert