I am not talking about two people living together before marriage. What I am talking about is how believers allow their faith to become lazy and they choose to coexist with the world. Essentially, they live in two worlds. They bounce back and forth between the spiritual world and the physical world. The Bible calls this double-minded.
Matthew 6:24 ESV says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
1 Kings 18:21 says, “Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, ‘How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!’ But the people were completely silent.”
Silence is an indicator that one is not willing to come fully over to God’s team. You could say you are “playing the field” as you keep your options open. If God leads to something that you are willing to do then you will follow it, and if an opportunity in the world opens up that seems desirable, then you will choose that one. You jump from one world to the other based on your own preferences; back and forth, back and forth.
The Bible is rather clear about this way of living. You could say that God has zero tolerance for it. The Israelites had to learn some hard lessons because of it. Jesus’ disciples endured discipline because of it. God initiated His redemptive plan to save man from sin way back in the early days with Adam and Eve, and He has not changed. His plan continues to unfold today.
God has all authority. God is sovereign. God is holy and righteous. He gives every human heart the choice to choose Him or the world. You cannot have both to be His child. He cannot let sin co-exist with obedience, faith, and truth. Sin cannot co-exist with holiness.
1 Peter 1:14-16, “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.'”
Are you co-existing with the world? Every believer faces this dilemma. Thankfully, God understands this and He will help you to overcome the ways of the world and be transformed. As you walk in obedience to His Word and the voice of the Holy Spirit, you begin to let go of carnal things and take hold of God Himself. Read 1 John 5:4, 1 Peter 2:1-3, and Hebrews 6:1 to help.
When you seek the Lord, He reveals Himself to you. You could say He turns the lightbulb on in your mind. God and His Word gives clarity and discernment with Kingdom truths. He aligns you with other believers. You could say God unites believers in love. For those that remain hobbling between both worlds, your lightbulb flickers. You do not fit in with true believers who are focused on God’s Kingdom. You could say you are on the outside looking in. Perhaps you view another’s faith as, “You have your faith and I have mine.”
It’s time to stop co-existing. This world is on the cusp of the book of Revelations. You do not want to be a bridesmaid that had to leave to get oil for their lamp and find that you missed out; read Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus is returning soon. The wedding feast is about to begin!
