“First off, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” And then they start to speak about how well they caught or kicked or passed the ball, how well they exhibited the talents and skills they possess, how much they are looking forward to the next big event. Those of the world do not want to discuss anything but what the world has to offer, and many who profess Christ as Lord are easily drawn into the temporal actions and deeds that entice their attention.
How does one keep every thought captive for Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) yet speak about anything but Christ? Moses walked right up to the ruler of the known world and gave the Word of God, Daniel’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego stood in front of the most powerful man on the planet at that time and said, “No,” (Dan. 3:18) Jesus looked the religious leaders of the day in the eye and told them that they would die in their sins, and remained silent in front of the representative of that days ruling power. Yet many who call Jesus Lord remain either silent, or are drawn within just a few moments, into the conversation of the day.
It has taken a concerted effort to bring mankind to where it is today. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4) No matter the media outlet the topic must never be allowed to move towards the eternal. The temporal, the temporary must be made to seem important, and always intermixed with many advertisements meant to make life easier, more tolerable, more exciting, and most are either completely blind to this fact, or perhaps may have a small idea of this truth but have accepted it as the way of life. Christ and His glory are placed second, at best, the will of the Almighty is set to the side until all that is necessary in their eyes towards the continuation of their existence is completed.
Then, when all is completed, they bring a foul, blemished offering, the leftovers to the Lord.
It has been reported that a high-level sports star was guaranteed an amount in the millions if he would refrain from speaking about Christ when approached by the media, and I was not surprised, this is the norm in nearly all places of employment, although it is not a reward a person will receive for keeping their mouth shut, but termination if they do not. He is hated, despised and rejected, and far too many who claim to profess Him as Lord hide their faces from Him, as it were, save for in “accepted company.”
Even the eleven in the garden that night ran from His presence, (Matt. 26:56) so this is nothing new, but how many of us have gone out afterward and wept bitterly after the fact, how many of us have despised ourselves and made the Lord Jesus Christ the focus of every moment of our lives afterwards?
Embarrassment, shame, fear, these are the standards, and many believe they will simply be forgiven for them on their day of accounting. (Romans 14:12) Not one person without the power of the Holy Spirit walks boldly to the throne of grace, (Heb. 4:16) not one person will find mercy for that which they have intentionally done with knowledge and foresight of their actions. If you can find one item more important to speak about than the Lord Jesus Christ, then your value system is in question, if you will not praise Him continuously here, what makes you think you will do so in heaven?
