Unreasonable and absurd ways of life…are truly an offense to God.”
–William Law
“The Bible sanctifies and molds the mind into the image of Christ.”
–Charles H. Spurgeon
Why do you do the things you do? Every day of our lives we are choosing roads. Every person on earth is a pilgrim of sorts. A person may think he is making a home here, but the truth and reality of the matter is that eternity awaits each person. The question is then very important and even more so the decision–which road?
World Champion rodeo cowboy, Trevor Brazile, has a great slogan for life, “Be Relentless!” Well, ol’ Ira has a slogan for 2017 and beyond, “Be Resolute!” I get very annoyed at people who mockingly say, “Resolutions are made to be broken.” No! Then it was not a resolution. Or, “I made a resolution yesterday and broke it today.” No! Then it was not a resolution.
To be resolute meant to be fixed, firm, having purpose, unwavering. Do not make it a joke, make it a lifestyle. Remember, eternity awaits each person, be resolute in your heart and mind to reach heaven.
Doing this requires us to recognize that we are not permanent settlers on this earth, but are truly pilgrims. We are just passing through this world, it is not to be our home. There should not be, cannot be any true fellowship with this world. What fellowship can there be with evil and darkness? When accepting Christ the old life was cast aside; things became new–life changed and a new road was taken. Therefore, the habits of the old life were cast aside; darkness and evil were put away, now righteousness and purity are sought. Jesus said that, “The pure in heart shall see God.”
Be Resolute and begin to make decisions based on eternity. This is done through the Word of God and knowing God. Compromise is not allowed. Self is put aside. Therefore, look closely at the road on which you are traveling, look at your habits and lifestyle. Look to see if it is truly honoring and glorifying God.
“The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave.”
–Proverbs 15:24 (NIV)
I seldom use the Message but the words here fit, especially the last phrase. “Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful–it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell.”