The question of why do you live as you do is one that each and every person must answer. The second question is for whom are you living? The answer to the second will reveal the answer to the first one. There are two paths in life; one is self-centered with all behavior directed toward receiving the most pleasure one can find with no regard for others. When regard for someone enters the equation, it is all too often done to enhance self and eventually brings trouble to both. The other path is the one wherein the individual gives God the glory and does all things according to the writing of Paul in Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. There is no room for self aggrandizement and ungodly pleasure in God’s system.     

Increasingly, the world is bent on following its own dictates. Actually, it is better to say that the worldly dictates are being run by an increasing number of people who have little regard for outside authority and are turning to their own ideas of what is right and proper for them and everyone else.  Personal obedience or the lack thereof is seen in the market place, schools, politics, and sports, not to mention the families and churches that refuse to honor the Word of God. In Judges 17:6, the author wrote about what the people did when they had no clear direction from a king: In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.  It goes without saying each person had his own ideas of right and wrong and that is what we see to day in all areas of society.

When churches are examined it is found that the leaders and members of many doubt the validity of scripture; therefore the conclusion is that they doubt the absolute truths found in the Bible. The end result is a refutation of the absolute moral authority of God with the man’s ideas of morality taking God’s place. 

Church after church and so called believer after so called believer twist the words of the Bible to suit their beliefs about all types of despicable behavior in a vain attempt to prove that because of God’s love he won’t harm anyone. Peter wrote in 2 Pet 3:16,  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  Then he gives instruction to the brethren 2 Pet 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. He then follows with the solution for the false teachings 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.  

The Bible is about salvation and the manner one is to live once saved. Not every notion of man will work; only the teaching of Jesus and His Father will bring about salvation in spite of the efforts to prove otherwise. Jesus gave a warning in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven"  In order to do God’s will each person must obey God and His Son. No amount of I think will work. No matter how good one believes themselves to be, that isn’t God’s way to be saved. Good works of an individual won’t wash away sin.

The inevitable question must be asked Why Live Ye? Is your way of life directed by God, or are you like the people under the judges of old; doing what you think is right though contrary to God? 

© 10-24-2005 DEC 

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