One stone doesn’t make an entire tower any more than obeying one commandment lifts the soul to the required height of perfection.”
–Gregory of Nyssa
“The world’s gifts are temporary, fleeting, and not really gifts at all, but they do carry a price tag.”
–Bob Beasley
What is it that draws your attention? Is it the bright lights, the action and the atmosphere of the world? Perhaps it is a motion picture, a play, or a concert displaying the ideas, philosophies and worldviews that promote the world. That is not to deny that some in the world have talent. The Fall did not negate talent for man was created in the image of God, however, the Fall did degrade what the talent produced.
When this life is over what legacy will you have left behind? It might be paying the price tag of the world’s gifts. It might be the construction of a life that was pleasing to the Lord; not just keeping one commandment, but obeying the Word of the Lord because we love Him. What did the apostles and early church fathers leave behind? Look at the suffering of Paul and others; were they actually miserable? They left the legacy of their suffering and understood the higher calling.
The idea of God is okay, but many do not want to go any further. The idea of Christ always brings a reaction. Jesus will divide people, nations, family. Religion, including Christianity, has become a tool to help organize world peace. What is not understood is that Christianity can never be “at peace” with the world. How many have compromised in their walk?
Remember, devotion to the prince of this world is one of the most ancient of temptations. We make a choice every day whom we will serve. We choose the way we will walk. We can walk according to the Word of God, or we can walk according to the ways of the world. Be careful of compromise–a little yeast leavens the whole.
“A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].”
–Galatians 5:9 (AMPC)