It doesn’t take much to see our world is heading in the wrong direction. For those of us in the West, I believe we must accept our own share of responsibility for the way things are. After all, we’ve had religious freedom for a long time. We’ve had knowledge of our Savior for centuries. Somewhere along the line we stopped living as if Jesus was the only thing that mattered and found ourselves more and more seeking our own comfort and security. How can we who have been given so much think we will escape judgment for how little we have done?
We not only are disobeying Christ’s command to tell everyone about Him (Matthew 28:18-20), but we no longer live as if Jesus is the Lord we claim Him to be. So, we are both disobedient and hypocritical. This is who we have become. This will be our legacy. Is that okay with you? Do you think this is the victorious life to which we have all been called (1 John 5:3-5)?
The danger is some might read this article and be momentarily inspired to make some serious changes in their lives. But the feelings will quickly fade, and we’ll go on with life as usual. I know. I’ve been there too many times myself. We don’t need another emotional or manufactured response. What we need is a radical change of heart. We need to see God as He is and be unable to live any other way but in His service. Tragically, we take for granted the privilege we have of being in the presence of our Creator and Savior. Everything you see in creation comes from His imagination. It all came to be from His power. He alone has the ability to create something out of nothing, but instead of awe, we regard Him with indifference.
The world is in the shape it’s in because of those who have denied God’s right to be in control of their lives. And before you begin blaming the evil or worldly people, recognize we too have rejected God’s authority in our own lives. We want to do what we want to do. It’s all about us and our pleasure, comfort, and entertainment. As long as we who know the truth continue to live as if we don’t, the world will continue to spiral downward. What the world needs most is Jesus. The thing it needs next is those who know Him telling others and living like they believe the whole story to be true.
I wish there was a sugar coating I could put on all of this, a nice happy ending with which I could conclude, but the truth is something must change in the hearts and lives of every Christ-follower. The darkness is growing deeper by the minute and we have until now sat idly by. What if right now we said, “no more”? What if right now we began to live as if Jesus truly was the Lord of our life and spent the rest of our lives glorifying God instead of ourselves? We’ll never know what might happen unless we try. But I’m willing to bet God would do amazing things in your life because of your devotion to Him. What in this world do you think will ever be as good as that? So now, at this moment, rededicate your heart to Him. Choose to live the rest of your life for Jesus and no one else.