10/01/23 GOD'S TRAINING CAMP

10/01/23 GOD'S TRAINING CAMP

Burger King has a great slogan, for a fast food place. HAVE IT YOUR WAY.
But it is a terrible slogan for most other areas of life, especially the spiritual life.

I like a good buffet (breakfast buffet, salad bar, seafood buffet to name a few).
At a buffet you take what you want and leave the rest.
But again, the idea of a buffet is not applicable to a spiritual life.
God's spiritual diet is not optional; it is obligatory for strength, health, life.

God sets the standards, the limits, the requirements for spiritual life. The Christian life is not a "pick and choose" for yourself.
This is the reason that unsurrendered people are not Christians. You cannot be a Christian if you are not surrendered to the rule of God.

God sets the standards for all of life.
God sets the standards for receiving new life.
God sets the standards for living the spiritual life.
God sets the standards for righteousness, truth, sanctity, honesty, loyalty, unity, civility.
God sets the standards for right human relationships, with Himself and with our family, the church, society and government.

Violating God's standards is failure, it leads to more failure, it ends in ruin and eternal separation from God.

If we don't like an item on the fast-food menu, we can choose something else on the menu, and it is okay.
If we don't like the cuisine at the restaurant, we can choose a different restaurant, and it is okay.
If we don't like the service at one store, we can choose a different store, and it is okay.

If folks do not like the restrictions of monogamy, God does not allow seeking intimacy with another person.
If parents do not like the responsibilities of parenthood, God does not allow them to abandon their children.
If citizens do not like legitimate laws, God does not allow them to commit crimes.
If people do not like Biblical standards, instructions, responsibilities held by one church, God does not allow them to look for a church with a more "seeker friendly" atmosphere.

Marriage is a Divine institution, which must be honored according to God's view.
Parenting is a Divine responsibility, which must be followed according to God's directives.
Obedience to legitimate authority is a Divine obligation, which must be observed.
Salvation and right relationships in a local church are Divinely established, which must be followed and maintained.

Wrong is wrong, regardless of where it is, and even when it is not called wrong, wrong is still wrong.

And never forget, Christian obedience to God and pleasing God is love in action. We do His will because we love Him. Christian living is not motivated by legalism, but is the result of Divine transformation.