Worldliness runs rampant, both outside the church as well as within. We think that our freedom comes from man's law, that these laws allow us to prosper and to pursue the things we want to pursue, and that this is freedom. What we fail to realize is that this earthly freedom only leads us to be enslaved by the values and passions of the world itself. Man's freedom is not freedom at all. Our gaze becomes fixed on the next promotion, because that will allow us to buy that new 'thing', whatever that thing may be. Don't you see the problem here? We are enslaved by the world, because the world tells us to chase after these temporal things. When you die, and you "WILL" die, the accolades you have built for yourself in this life, the treasure you have stored up, it all stays here and fades away. The old saying goes, "You cannot take it with you", and that is absolutely true. When your life comes to an end, your house, your car, and your reputation - it all stays behind. None of these things does God take into account. Your neighbor may be impressed with the wealth you have accumulated, but God will remain unmoved. Who, then, are you living for? Who is your master? To what end is your life focused? Is it more important that you impressed you neighbor, who will die just as you will, or is it better to live your life in the pursuit of a perfect and awesome God who holds the keys to true life and death?
Christ tells us not to store up treasure for ourselves on earth, because it can be taken by thieves and destroyed by moth and rust. He says instead that we should build up treasure for ourselves in heaven, where there is neither thief, nor moth, nor rust. He tells us quite clearly that, "... where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." A few verses later, he tells us that, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Simple and clear, he tells us that we can focus our life in one of two directions - towards him or towards the world - but to try to focus our lives towards both simultaneously is foolish. He tells us that it cannot be done. He doesn't say it is difficult to achieve, and that it is unwise. He tells us with absolute certainty that it cannot be done. (Mt. 6.19-24)
How does one build up treasures for themselves in heaven, then? One does this by simply living for the Kingdom of God and pursuing his righteousness. To do this means to look outside of your tiny you-shaped box. Christ tells us that he knows our needs, and he can and will meet them. We need not worry about meeting our needs. He tells us that if we who are evil are capable of giving good gifts to our children, and presumably to ourselves, then how much better will be the gifts from God? To build up your heavenly treasures, you must "seek first the Kingdom and his righteousness" and all your needs will be met. He does not promise abundance, but he does promise to meet our needs. (Mt. 6.25-34) In the days of Moses, as they wandered through the desert, God provided them daily with manna from heaven. He gave clear instructions to only gather what was needed for the day, and said that anything that was stored up for the following day would go bad. Foolishly, there were some who tried to call God's bluff and take a little more than was needed, but their sinfulness was met with God's promise to spoil their abundance. (Ex. 16) We need not worry about having more than we need in case of a rainy day, because God provides the best umbrella to protect us from the storm - himself.
I hope and pray that my peers - friends, family, and strangers - will open their eyes to their captivity by this world. They are slaves and hostages to the base and primal treasures of this world, and they are so enslaved because their faith in the Lord's providence is weak. They have never trusted on Christ to provide for their needs, so they have never experienced the freedom that comes when their needs are divinely met. Christ is freedom. Let me write that again - CHRIST is FREEDOM. Worry, fear, anxiety - these are our shackles, and they are clamped tightly down around our wrists, yet we have grown so used to this feeling of bondage that we cannot remember or imagine what it feels like to be truly free. Christ offers us this freedom. He offers to unshackle us from the worries and fears of this world. He tells us that with him, we have the freedom to live our lives without worry; that with him, we need not worry about tomorrow, because we can live with the faith that tomorrow our needs will be met, just as they were today. Are you worried? Anxious? Do you fear what tomorrow will bring when today has just begun? Be with Christ, and you will no longer fear. You shall neither hunger nor thirst. Christ will wipe every tear from your eye!LEAVE A COMMENT AND / OR APPRECIATE THE ARTICLE!
CLICK HERE :>> http://www.radio-elshaday.de/
CLICK HERE :>> http://www.radio-megapower.de/
CLICK HERE :>> http://christliche-radiosender.blogspot.com/
CLICK HERE :>> http://radiomegapower-nonstop.blogspot.de/
