Greg Laurie Daily Devotion - June 25, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Striking at the Root
“For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Over the years, I have received many letters inviting me to get involved with a certain cause or to join a boycott or a march. I admire people who get out there and want to stand up for what is right, and I think that we as Christians need to make our presence known in this culture and society.
But I personally have chosen to strike at the root of the problem, which is sin. I have chosen to seek to help this society by preaching the gospel, because I have found that a change in one’s lifestyle does not bring about salvation. But true salvation will always bring about a change in one’s lifestyle.
When the apostle Paul went to Rome, there were many social ills that he could have addressed. Instead, he chose to strike at the root of the problem.
Rome was a city filled with slaves, yet Paul would not center his preaching on slavery. Rome was a city of rampant immorality, but Paul’s message did not center on moral reform. Rome was a city of financial corruption, but Paul would not center his preaching on the problems of the day.
His message was simple. He struck at the root. He gave them the gospel.
I can work to bring reform and morality to my culture and society. I can even work to help get laws passed that would slow down the spread of sin and corruption.
But if I can lead others to Christ, then their morals and their lifestyles will ultimately change. Not only will they have the hope of heaven, but they will also be different people in our society and culture.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotation is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.
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The Bible says, "If any man be in Christ, he is an altogether different kind of person. Old things have passed away. Everything becomes fresh and new." That is the truth I want you and everyone who reads this book to come away with. And it is a message not just of hope, but also of Christ's redemptive power.
-Greg Laurie
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