Love Right

The great evangelist Billy Sunday, used to make fun of the term “worldly Christian.” He said, “Why to talk about a worldly Christian makes about as much sense as talking about a heavenly Devil.”  While it is possible for a Christ-follower to fall away from Christ for a season, it is impossible for a Christ-follower to follow Christ and consistently look, live, talk and act like the world.   It might be for a season but if there is a relationship with Jesus Christ, there will be conviction and misery in that lifestyle; not contentment and joy.  As the old saying goes, “If something looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.”  John was addressing this when he wrote the epistle of 1 John.  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15).

It all comes down to having possession of Christ as well as a profession in Christ.  Many people have experienced a “profession” in Christ but never obtained a possession of Christ.  Paul said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  If a person is trying to follow Christ and stay in the world, they will find it will either be one or the other.  God AND the world cannot coexist.  There is only room for one and all of us must choose.  Just as Joshua challenged the Israelites, God challenges us today.  ”Choose this day who you will serve.”