SEPARATE YOURSELVES

Sometimes we find ourselves part of an organization or movement we no longer agree with. We realize that the goals of this group are not realistic. Or we may discover that their teachings are actually untrue and harmful to people in general.

The best action is to withdraw our support and our loyalty from that group. This is especially right for a Christian who wants to glorify God. We need to be aware of what our church actually teaches, not what is generally accepted by the public, but what the select inner group are teaching and believing.

It does not matter whether our parents and grandparents were loyal members of that group. If we find unwise or untrue teachings being spread, we need to separate ourselves. Other people, especially our relatives, need to know where we stand, what we actually believe.

It is not enough that God knows our heart. We must not lend our support to groups that are promoting error. Yes, maybe their leaders were misled and deceived; but the group cannot be right if the founders were wrong. Even though thousands may be following that group, that does not make it right.

We are responsible to God for our choices. Life and death may be at stake, even our eternal destiny. Would you want your children to follow teachings that are going to lead them away from the truth into a hopeless and confused life?

Consider your political standing and your church affiliation. Your misguided loyalty will never change the convictions of the leaders. Rather, you will be responsible for deceiving the young people who follow after you!

Separation is difficult but it is required. This is even mentioned in Scripture, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. God says, "Come out from among them and be separate (verse 17)."

Separation means we make our stand and convictions public. It might hurt people’s feelings or shock our relatives, but these people need to know what we actually believe. We do not need to become a pest in talking about our decision, but we should make our stand clear.

Today there is so much talk about toleration and globalism that people often won’t admit what they truly believe. Yes, we need to get along with others. But they need to know that we are personally not convinced that certain actions are right, even though we may feel it necessary once to vote for a particular party or occasionally attend a certain church.

It is not necessary that we declare our convictions with a sign in a protest march or that we become a public speaker promoting our beliefs. But our friends and relatives, maybe even our neighbors, need to know where we stand in relation to controversial issues, especially when we are asked about our convictions.

America has always been a land of freedom. But where is the freedom if we are afraid to state what we truly believe?
-- Rosemary Watson

YES, LORD!

All who have received Jesus as Savior must accept Him also as the LORD and Master of their lives. Most of us have done this, but we need to have an attitude of "Yes, Lord" as we go about our daily tasks. The Holy Spirit will be telling us something we should do (or not do). In our inner spirit we need to be ready to say, "Yes, Lord," and obey the Spirit’s leading.

This is an essential attitude that we need to have as we come to church. We hear much important Bible teaching, but does it do us any good?

Check your heart as you listen. Are you just learning facts and maybe getting sleepy as you listen?

We don’t need more information about the Bible if we are not immediately surrendering ourselves to obey it. Hearing something new will just harden our hearts if we are inwardly thinking, "Not me, Lord. I can’t do that."

It is good to adopt a "Yes, Lord" attitude whenever we listen to Bible teaching. This gives us a humble and teachable spirit. Then we will be able to really change. Even when we are home alone, reading the Bible in our daily Quiet Time, our hearts should be saying, "Yes, Lord. I will do whatever you are telling me to do."

This is something I began to do at Bible college when I was young. I had been a believer since age ten, but there were a lot of things the Lord needed to change about me. At Prairie I learned that when God spoke to me, I should say "Yes, Lord."

This is the only thing that enables us to grow as Christians. God is not going to invade our lives and suddenly force us to live more like Christ. He is waiting for us to say inwardly, "Yes, Lord, I will change. I will do what you say."

When Saul was on the Damascus road and heard Jesus speak to him, he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6) The Holy Spirit was moving into his life, and he surrendered by faith.

Thereafter his life was changed and Saul became the great teacher Paul. Why was he able to grow spiritually and teach others about Jesus? Because he learned to always say to God, "Yes, Lord. I will do whatever you ask of me."

Often we sit in church listening to sermons and inwardly think, "That is for other Christians to do. No, Lord, I don’t want to change. I’m getting along just fine being a quiet Christian. I don’t want to witness or memorize Scripture. It’s just impossible for me." Sometimes I get too involved in taking notes and I don’t listen carefully to the Holy Spirit when He speaks to me.

When we start saying, "Yes, Lord," we will find the power of God invading our lives and helping us grow spiritually as we obey Him. We will have the strength and motivation to do the things God wants us to do.

Are you a "Yes, Lord" Christian? How long has it been since you truly surrendered to God and said silently, "Yes, LORD! I will step out in faith and obey you."

This is something we need to do every day of our lives – surrender to God and really mean it when we say, "Yes, LORD!"