Worldly life.....

Mark 8: 34- 38 HCSB "Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, "If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? What can a man give in exchange for his life? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Let's talk about this passage for a second. First off, realize that Jesus is talking to his disciples and those surrounding him. This is what he spoke after rebuking Peter. Again, we find that in Jesus day it wasn't all that different than today. There was sin and skeptics. It was a struggle to follow him then just like now. However, today in America, you don't get arrested or murdered for following him so we take it for granted.

On a couple occasions, in this past month, I have been made aware of the "worldly thoughts" of people who claim to have given their heart to Christ. It's hard for me to accept what they say to be true because both of them have said that they cannot give up worldly things and they're good people so it's ok. Both have said that they're a "good person" which is true but being a good person does not get you into God's Kingdom. Living a Christ-honoring life is the way. Living a life that puts Christ first with you and the world last is Christ-honoring. Putting the world last means being sexually moral, staying pure for your future spouse or current spouse, abstaining from porn, drugs, drunkenness, swearing, rude jokes, gossiping, greed, keeping the teachings of Christ in the forethought of your mind not agreeing that the sinful way of the world is ok because it's the 21st century and it's just the way it is, etc.

I want to ask these people I've met this month, "what does it benefit you to be in this world? Are you finding what you're looking for? Are you happy with your life? Are you satisfied?" I already know their answer because we were talking about how unhappy they are and how unfulfilled their lives are.
DUH!!!!!!

One friend even has Mark 8:36 as their text signature! Mark 8:36 HCSB "For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?" Yet they say that they can't live without their worldly ways!

My friends, this I say to you. The world is killing you! You're weak and tired! Sad and hard-hearted! Floundering and disobedient. Get a grip! Why do you think your world is hard and you feel lost?

Later in Mark 9 Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountain and God speaks to them saying, "This is My beloved Son; listen to him!" (Mark 9: 7)

Jesus says that the way of the world will lead to death. Our hope is in him, let us live a life that, on the day of his coming, he will be proud to call us brother, sister and mother.

I pray that God will show you what your ways of the world are and that He will give you the strength to live outside of the world and in his Son so that you will be known as His son at Christ's return.