Riding the Fence

[notofthisworld]

In our Bible study class, one of our young adults stated that they weren't fully sold out to God because they didn't want to give up the life they had. They said that if they sold out, they would lose his friends, they would have regrets, they would not be able to have any fun, and they is just to young to do it.

This statement really saddened my heart. Is this really how our young people feel?

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

It all comes down to this. You either truly want Jesus in your life, or you don't. As believers, our only god is the Father. When we put someone else as more important than Him, He is no longer the god we serve. If fear of losing your friends is what is keeping you from surrendering your life to Jesus, then friends are your god. If having fun in the world is what is keeping you from surrendering, then fun is your god.

Friends can't get you into paradise. Fun cannot save your soul. And if it is immoral fun, then it isn't truly fun to begin with.

Why do our young people today think they are only really having fun when they are out causing trouble, drinking, participating in pre-marital sex. What ever happened to the good old fashioned fun when they went out to the fields and played baseball. There are so many things that we can do that are fun that God can appreciate right along with us.

If your life is not truly surrendered over to Christ, you are lacking in all the benefits. You cannot truly experience love because God IS love. You cannot truly be happy and joyful because those are fruits that come from His spirit. Sure, you may be able to experience little bursts of thrill and pleasure. Maybe even get some laughs in life. However, that true feeling of having purpose and belonging will never really be there.

There is a void in everyone's heart that we try to fill with all this world has to offer. As long as we are constantly putting something in that void, we get along just fine, but throwing things in that void non stop gets exhausting. There is only one person, one loving Father who can fill that void to the brim without ever running out. That is God the Father.

I see our young people as doing this. They are longing to be a part of something. They try to be accepted by someone. They want to feel like they are accomplishing something. So everyday is a battle to fill that void. Many start going to parties and drowning in drugs and alcohol. Others have to be in relationships. When one relationship ends, they go on the hunt for the next. Then there are those thrill seekers who speed down the street, paint graffiti on walls, and try to start fights at every turn. I'm sure there are other temporary fillers that I haven't mentions, but you get the point. They are looking everywhere except the right place, and they are so scared to look in the right place because they might lose all the junk they have come to think of as valuable.

The Bible tells us to seek first the kingdom of God, and all the blessings will come afterward. If we are seeking God, He will send good Godly friends. If we are seeking God, He will send that perfect person to spend your life with. If we are seeking God, He will send fun, joy, happiness. Sure there will be hard times, but God will take care of all that.

It's time for us all to get off the fence. Time to stop trying to serve two masters. There is only one who can make it all fall into place. Let's serve the God who can.

[freethinker]

Giving up drinking and such doesn't bother me. It's the hating my child and family to be Jesus' disciple part I don't like:

Luke 14:26 (King James Version)

26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

[Sassy]

Loyalty to any other person or thing at the expense of loyalty to Christ constitutes idolatry. Note I said at the expense of Christ. When you put family before HIm. Whether you choose to do so is your choice. He lets you make it.

[notofthisworld]

I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone replied to this.

The hating part doesn't mean actually hate. The Bible says he who does not love does not know God for God is love.

It just means put God first above them. If a wife says... you either give up God or I'm leaving you. You say, "I'm sorry. I love you, but I love God more. I wish you'd stay, but I have to stay with God."