Popular Or Particular??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #184

Or we could say, “Kids Matter”!  What do these three things have in common?  Well, simply put, we can lead, teach, and encourage our children to be particular in their life choices, or we can fail to regard the import of our call to instruct, direct and teach our children the ways of God, leading by our example or teach them that popularity is the ultimate goal.  It breaks my heart when I see parents more concerned with their child’s popularity than with teaching then the biblical foundations of truth.  It’s the curse of our culture—be the “idol”, the “star”, the “lone ranger” or whatever will put them in the “spotlight”!  How sad that it seems we have lost sight of the greater goal to help our children become godly, productive men and women of God making a difference in a world gone crazy.

We need to overcome the old adage of, “Do what I say, not what I do”, and lead our children to the cross not “Hellywood” and its culture!  Scripture is replete with warnings, instructions, and the call to be what God wants us to be, not what the enemy of our souls dangles in front of our children (and the adults too).  It seems that we have slept through God’s warnings in scripture.

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:15-17

When we determine to live for Jesus, by His power, His might and His wisdom, the world will not like it.  How is that so many who claim the name of Jesus have no desire to follow Him.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father

hath bestowed upon us,

that we should be called the sons of God:

therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not.

2 Beloved now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that, when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him

as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:1-3

Are we God’s children?  How?  It’s a work of grace and truth– Jesus, who saves us by repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13 

It’s the same “new birth” that Jesus referred to in John chapter 3, when he told Nicodemus, “ye must be born again”!  Yet so many claim to belong to Jesus, but their lives match the world not The King of Kings!  We need to consider the words of James and examine our life to see where our allegiance lies—with Jesus or with the world.  Whose child are you?  The behavior will tell the tale, let’s determine to make our “lights shine for Jesus not the Devil”!

“Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask,

and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

 7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:2-8

May we truly “Draw nigh to God” that He will “draw nigh to you”; seeking to know God’s will and His ways and leading our children and grandchildren to the cross and not the pit of hell.  I don’t mean to be blunt, but time is short, and our children are going to hell in a handbasket, often because we have failed to show them the “crucified life” and the Redeemer who died for their sin!  Let’s lead them to the cross and not the world—only the cross provides real life.  Do we really believe that?  I do! It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Will we stand up for the gospel in this day of compromise that others may see Jesus in us?

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account of himself to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

He may come today!  Are you ready?