
It is hard to keep up in this kind of driven society. We always feel like we have to have bigger and better. Many of us have formerly or currently bought into the "American Dream." That dream as outlined by so many people is simply, "He who has the most toys wins." This is not what describes me, or how I want to be labeled in life. To many, it is buying that bigger house, RV, Boat, Hunting Equipment, Luxurious Vacation, etc... It is not that there is anything wrong with any of those things, it is just that you have to evaluate the cost in which they were purchased. I am not talking about tangible money in order to purchase them, but rather the stress that maybe it put on your marriage and family. Did you have to work 80 hours a week in order to afford it, or did you merely just finance it? Whatever the cost, we have to measure the outcome. I choose to lead a simple life that involves low stress, then to have a lavish life that comes at the cost of my family and time spent without them.
How many people have transferred their mentality in corporate America, into their spiritual walk with The Lord? Many people think that Christianity is Performance Based. They think that it is by works and what you do in life that gets them into Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." So God is not concerned with what performance that you give Him, or works that you accomplish. He is more concerned with your BELIEF!
My pastor quoted Charles Stanley a couple of Sundays ago. He said it is as if you were 10 stories up in a burning building. The firemen are below with a net ready to catch you. If you jump out of the window, it is "BY FAITH." However, the Faith is not what saves you. It is His GRACE, which is represented by the net below. I have always found the following passage in the Bible to be a little sobering. Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
WOW... How many of us are trying to "EARN" our way into heaven, when all we have to do is accept His free Gift of Salvation through Grace. My God is not concerned about what you have sold for Him today. He is not concerned with how many people you have invited to revival at church. He is concerned about you Believing in Him, allowing Him to perfect you into what He would have you be, and to make disciples. Are you willing to change your mindset from corporate America, and accept Jesus for what He is offering you...