Torn Between Two Worlds

1 Corinthians 10:19-22 Do you see the difference? Sacrifices offered to idols are offered to nothing, for what’s the idol but a nothing? Or worse than nothing, a minus, a demon! I don’t want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself. And you can’t have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next. Besides, the Master won’t put up with it. He wants us—all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?

Each day we make decisions critical to our witness. As Christians, we still sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We often fall short by living in two worlds; our Spiritual world and our secular world. We must make the choice every day to keep close to God so we don't fall short.

Some of us lead two lives by trying to follow both Christ and the crowd. It doesn't work; we will falter when we attempt to keep up two separate identities. This sort of living destroys our testimony. We can't survive living in two worlds.

One way to overcome this is to begin each day with pray and God's Word. Putting on the Armor of God provides a new understanding, a strong defense as we enter the world - as we enter our workplace.

Read from Ephesians 6 often. Bolster your immune system with a healthy dose of truth so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)

Consider memorizing these lines so you can bring them to mind as temptation presents itself. This might be a great way to usher in the New Year.

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Romans 7:24-25

Romans 7:24-25 (MSG) 
 I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Oh, does this sound familiar!  All I have to do is consider the one thing I struggle with and these words speak volumes to me.  At this stage in life my daily battle is food.  Yours might be finances, relationships or, fill in the blank.

My fight with eating isn't just eating the wrong things at the wrong times and in wrong portion size, my battle is with the convenience of many of these items.  Fast food is just that...fast.  In a world were instant gratification is prominent, fast is good.

The Message version of the text today helps to clarify this problem.  Is there no one who can do anything for me? The influence of sin is strong, but Jesus has overcome sin for us.  How do I apply this fact to the one thing I can't seem to conquer, the one vice that trips me up daily?  Well, I can't, but He can.  As Pastor Jeff Marian used to tell us, "I can't. God can. I'll let Him!"

Paul preached of his sinful ways, spoke so we could relate to him and the daily battles he fought with God's help. I do believe God has given us what we need to wage war with sin and he lets us know that we are not in this alone. We have the armor of God to clothe ourselves in each and every day.  I love these verses, but too often forget to use them.

Ephesians 6:11 (MSG)  So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.

Grace is everywhere we turn.  As Christians, Grace is a given, a subtle gift which is there waiting for us to acknowledge.  When we are at the end of our rope, God's grace will get us through.

Philippians 1:12-30

Philippians 1:14 (NIV)
"Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly." 


Study materials on Philippians 1 tell of two ways the Gospel had been advanced as a result of Paul's imprisonment.  First, Paul made no secret about the fact he was in prison because of his love for Christ.  Because he was a follower of the man they had recently crucified, and he made it known, everyone was aware of Paul's predicament.  Even the soldiers who stood guard over him knew of his loyalty to the man from Galilee.  Instead of falling into self-pity or demanding his own release, Paul took this opportunity to make the Gospel known.

The second way the Gospel was advanced as a result of Paul's circumstances was it made his followers bolder, it helped to convince them they too could tell the world about Jesus and the salvation which He brought to the world.  This is a stunning fact, when you consider that the opposite would be true of most.  Fear would permeate followers of any other god, but disciples of the True God drew courage from Paul's example.

I still wrestle with the question, how would I act?  I am growing more and more confident that I too would be able to withstand the flaming arrows of the evil one.  I have been drawn to Ephesians 6:10-18 for a number of days now.  The message gained from reading about putting on The Armor of God seems to be so relevant to life these days; more so than in the past.  So, you may see more of this in the weeks to come.  The only way to spread the Good News of Jesus is to know it.  The only way to know it is to read, study and practice it.  Then we can, "speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly." 


Read Philippians 1:12-30 here

Listen to Philippians 1:12-30 here