HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN (PART 4).
TEXT:
"And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." (Luke 8 verse 14, King James Version)
There's a Scripture that has continued to impact my life ever since I met with the Lord Jesus. That Scripture is 2nd Timothy 2 verse 4. It says,
"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
Yes, we are soldiers of Christ and our Christian calling is warfare! It's absolutely important that we realise it as such. It's warfare between the flesh and the spirit. Besides, we know that the Christian is a "stranger" and a "pilgrim" here on earth (see 1st Peter 2 verse 11). Never are we to settle for the things of the world. Though we are in the world, we are not of the world (John 15 verse 19, 17 verses 14 and 16) As Christians, the Scriptures enjoins us to seek and to set our affection on things above and not on things on the earth (Colossians 3 verses 1 to 2).
In the Scripture reading for today, we find this category of Christians who have received the Word, made a commitment to remain faithful in persecution, yet are preoccupied with the affairs of this life. The consequence is that the Word of God sowed in their hearts is "choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." As a result, they are not as effective and fruitful in life as they ought to be. The "cares and riches and pleasures of this life" are like the weeds of the garden that steal all the nutrients in the soil, thereby starving the plants of the much needed nutrients with which to be fruitful.
The Bible says that "the friendship of the world is enmity with God"
(James 4 verse 4). In 1st John 2 verses 15 to 16, the Bible tells us further as follows:
"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. 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."
Separation from the world and the things of the world is a cardinal principle of the Christian faith; regarding which anyone who desires to be effective and fruitful in life should adhere to. It's a principle that's never to be flouted. In 2nd Corinthians 6 verse 17, the following instructions are clearly given to us:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"
Unlike the Christians of today, the Apostles of old understood the import of their calling. They were effective and fruitful in their Christian calling because of this singular reason. Apart from being separated unto the Word, they lived their lives and ran the Christian race against the wind of their time. No wonder that they were reputed as men "that have turned the world upside down" for Christ (Acts 17 verse 6).
Today's exhortation calls for the self examination of our lifestyles to see if cares or pleasures of this life are choking God's Word in our lives, and to repent forthwith and follow God's formula for the Christian faith. This godly formula is copiously set out in Matthew 6 verses 19 to 34, especially verse 33 that enjoins us to "seek ... first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Happy Easter celebrations!
PRAYER:
Father, I live seeking and setting my affection on the things that are above, in order for me to be both effective and fruitful in life, in Jesus name.