Wednesday, September 12, 2018

All In


 I was talking with a new co-worker recently, and I was trying to find out were he was in his beliefs, (its what I do, lol). I didnt really get an opening, so I just asked, "So were are you at with religion, what do you believe?" He responded, "I believe and all that, I just aint all in." He was meaning like I aint all into it. Then He asked me, "How about you?" To which I quickly replied, "Oh I'm all in."
 This got me to thinking about how many people these days say they believe in God, yet there really seems to be no dedication in their life to Him. Then even further there are people who go to church Sunday, but thats the extent of their walk. The rest of the week you couldnt tell the difference between the believer and the non-believer. Believe me I know all about this because I was one of those people for many years, I didnt start out that way, but just gradually started missing church here and there. I started making compromises in my life, before you know it there wasnt much difference between me and a non-believer. I still said I was, but there wasnt anything in my life to speak it.
 Jesus had a lot to say about this.
 Matthew 7:21-23 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
 If thats not enough, what Jesus said to the church of Laodicea  
 Revelation 3:15-16 
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
 In both cases He was speaking about people who profess to be believers, but they arent "All In." This would really be a sad wake up call in the end when there isnt anything that could be done to change it. I am not suggesting that they arent saved, its not for me to judge. However it is very plain to see who is an "All In" follower and who is not. The Holy Spirit changes a person as they spend time reading and seeking, spending time in prayer and hearing from Him. It becomes very easy to see the life the Spirit changes. From what Jesus said here, is He respects the hot or cold, the one who is All In or the one who says he doesnt believe, more than the lukewarm follower. The reason is that the one who says he believes and doesnt do what Jesus said does more damage to the church than the one who denies. 
 One of the biggest responses you hear when talking to non-believer is that the church is full of hypocrites. This mostly comes from people who talk the talk, but dont walk the walk. Your life needs to speak Christ. Its not enough to know Him, but to be known by Him. When I call out Lord Lord in that day I would hope to hear Him say, "This ones Mine." There is so much more to this life in Him, and we will fall far short of its full potential in our lives. Just think, the Fullness of God dwells in Christ and He in us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. So if we have that kind of potential why do we not jump All In. Jesus has so much more just waiting for us to take hold of. He died to give us life, His life. Let us get into His word daily, get plugged into a study. You wont be sorry, and the change that the Spirit does in your life is amazing. You will never be the same if you just give Him an All In dedication and determination to follow through. The lives around you start to change as they see the change in you. Thats what speaks life.Taste and see that the Lord is Good. Stay Blessed, PJ