Friday, April 4, 2008
Between Two Worlds
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1)
The Bible mentions a category of Christians who are described as carnal. These are people in an arrested state of spiritual development. They have never really grown up. They’re caught between two worlds: they have too much of the Lord to be happy in the world, but too much of the world to be happy in the Lord. They’re the most miserable people around.
Many of us realize that this world doesn't have the answers and can't be trusted. But at the same time, we don't trust God either. We haven’t made a stand.
But it’s time to say, “I believe in Jesus Christ.” It's time to stand for our principles and not just blend into the woodwork.
So often in our attempts to gain credibility, we lose our integrity. In our attempts to relate to people, we lose any power we will have in relating to them, because we have compromised our principles.
The Bible gives us many examples of people who stood up for what was right at the risk of losing something important, even their lives. One such person was Daniel, who held position of great influence in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Even so, he would not compromise his principles.
Maybe you're afraid to stand up for Jesus Christ. You're afraid that it could hurt your career, or a relationship or something else. But there comes a moment when we have to stand for what we know is true. You may be criticized, and might even lose something important to you. But whatever you lose, God will make it up to you. He will bless you for standing for what is right.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.