As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 Believers, we have let idols in to the house of worship. Sports, recreation, entertainment, family (do you know how many times I've heard people pass on their calling because of this one? reminds me of , politics, none of them inherently evil, and some of them blessings, become our excuse not to follow Jesus as we were called. What is more, our idols give us a sense of superiority over others, deluding us in to believing we can have Jesus and the world as well. It's a lie, and I can prove it. Consider, if you will, our current political season. Why are so many Christians on the left and right dividing with one another over politics? It's because, whether or not we wish to believe it, Politics is our idol. We have compromised our beliefs for politics. We stand upon unbiblical truths for politics, we hate our brothers and sisters because of politics. We sling mud at someone made in the image of Jesus for politics. We make deals with people whose values go against ours...you guessed it, for politics. James, the brother of Christ, would say such wisdom is first earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Maybe it's time we stop trying to "clean up the world;" that's not our job and never was. Instead, let us look to our walk with Christ, our quiet time with Him, and a daily reflection in His word. Let's clean up, instead, our own houses. Let's bring our homes, our churches, and our own lifestyles in to submission to God, and get back to the business of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, standing upon the word of God, and that alone. This world is not our home, it's time to stop acting like it's all their is (the way we fight, it sure seems like we believe it!). Compromise with the world is enmity with God, always. The world asks, no, demands, over and again, promising everything and giving nothing. Don't trust it! The law of love is unity among the believers. If it causes us to be divided (And Christ is not divided), then we should destroy the image! Eternity is forever, and we're reminded of that daily, even as this world is passing away. We need to focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and live it out in every area of our life. Ask the Lord "Do I have idols in my life that are drawing me away from you?" and then let Him destroy them! Colossians 3:1-17 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
