You’d be surprised at the number of excuses that I’ve heard over the years as to why people don’t want to get close to God, read their Bible, or be an active participant with Christ in Faith. You’d probably be more surprised at how many I’ve used! Yet, it’s always the same “I’ll get serious about my faith after x, y, or z happens,” “I’ve got plenty of time, what’s the big deal? Stop pestering me about it!” “When my job/school/marriage/kids are this, I’ll be able to take it more seriously.” I could go on, but I’m sure you get the point. Yet, consider all of the extras we make time for. We make time for and get excited about sports, whether in participation or attendance. We make time for or get excited about TV shows and movies, concerts and all forms of entertainment. We make time for (And not always get excited about) overtime at work, or hobbies and activities. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying any of these things are bad, but let us consider what we broadcast to our classmates, neighbors, spouses, friends, and kids when we get excited about and make time for everything but Christ (and I’m talking to me here, too, all).
What we get excited about, what we pursue, weather health, fitness, wealth, entertainment, comfort, or anything else , proves what we follow more than our words can ever say. We can go to church regularly, give generously, participate actively, but if we’re not actively in pursuit of Christ, we can still miss the point. Even Jesus calls out those who “prophesied, cast out demons and performed miracles in his name.” He stated He never knew them! Why? Because they were “in church” for themselves, and not for Him. They never had an active relationship with Him. They were like a sports fan, knowing all the player’s stats, but never knowing the player personally.
So what do we do then? How can we remedy this? In all of our pursuits, make Christ and knowing Him the central focus of your life. Do all for His glory and honor. Teach your friends, spouses, children, fellow students and coworkers about your life by what and how you live it for His sake. Draw near to God, as James says, and He will draw near to you. Interests and activities will fade, even the best relationships will be parted some day, but Christ remains forever. Let Him inform all of your choices, relationships and activities, and He will lead you to eternal peace and joy unending.
Matthew 7:13-27 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
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