In today’s verse, we see a definite dichotomy between living in the world and living in the Lord.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

One must either choose to live a life in service to God or a life debasing oneself to what the world offers. In direct contrast to this is the phrase, “What you do is OK, just as long as you don’t cross the line.”

This thinking, unfortunately, pervades Christian thought and attitude today. Valuable time of growing deep in the Lord is wasted on debating where the “proverbial line” is between the world and Christ.

There could be 30 people sitting in the church and I’ll guarantee you that the line will be in 30 different places. At the end of the day we have to face the reality that there is no line. We see this throughout the Bible. Even Jesus said that it’s either one or the other in today’s verse.

We make decisions about life based on a line that isn’t even there. We use that line to rationalize compromising and potentially sinful decisions. By rationalizing, we fool ourselves into arrogantly believing that God has to accommodate our rationalizations. If we have to question it, then we shouldn’t do it. Always err on the side of righteousness. Always! It is of the utmost importance that we grasp this concept so that we may continue growing in the Lord rather than being stifled by trivial questions about how far is too far. It’s that spiritual laziness that causes us not to make the effort to both make and carry out godly decisions. It is in this way that we, by our works, deny Him.

How are you going to erase the imaginary line you have made for yourself today?

Err on the side of righteousness, wow, I have heard many times in my life to err on the side of caution but honestly I’ve never thought of it in this light. To some this may step on your toes but it is such an important truth that needs to be spoken. The Lord’s return is soon and I don’t want to be caught in spiritual laziness. I want to be challenged each and every day to make godly decisions. Remember, what’s right isn’t always popular, and what’s popular isn’t always right. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Galatians 6:9, James 4:17