Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Jesus is speaking about the first commandment. He is a jealous God who will not share loyalty. He’s telling us it’s not possible.
Does this mean we can’t have hobbies? No, they just need to be under the submission of His lordship. All needs to be said no to. I can recall being a new christian and buying a music tape that felt uncomfortable. As I was walking out of the store I bumped into a christian friend. She asked what I was doing and I showed her the tape. She disapproved. I may have had a Holy Spirit nudge against it, but this encounter was the second. Shortly thereafter I took a road trip up north. I was listening to that tape. I got lost. That was another nudge. I threw away the tape and found my way.
That was one of my first lessons about conscience and lordship. There would be many to follow. I get these same impressions today. I’ve got to be willing to say no.
I learned much about our consciences. I John 3:20 was insightful, “Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.” This was my first impression that our consciences could be wrong. They respond to the information we give them. If that is wrong then our consciences judge incorrectly.
I had to learn about grace. There was an intense two or so year period. I heard things like “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable”. This is referring to the gray areas. There is freedom. They Holy Spirit can still speak to us and make a gray area black.
Another issue with this is that there are demons who seek to condemn us. I’ve learned to cast aside the condemnation. If it comes back I ask God if any of this is valid and ask for His help. That usually fixes it. Sometimes I have to repent other times I forget it. There is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”, (Romans 8:1). That is an amazing freedom. He purchased that with His blood.
Spending a little more time on the devil, there is 2 Corinthians 2:11, “so that we should not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” He seeks to upset us. I Corinthians 10:28,29 says, ‘But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience— / the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?’ New believers and those with tender consciences can be tripped up by condemnation easily. I’ve been there. The devil loves to do that.
Stay on His path. Learn to look neither to the left or right. There are distractions that can mislead us. Learn to dispel thoughts from our minds that are distracting. Hebrews 12:15 says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.” We can get upset by many things. If we let them linger they take root and grow a poisonous plant which can poison others. When the seed of bitterness falls on the soil of our hearts, get rid of it.
One way to be rid of bitterness is to give thanks for all things. Many situations aren’t good, but God allows tough times. Praise Him for the opportunity to grow. Some times this is done by faith for our hearts aren’t in it. Keep it up and ask for His help. This has a strong relevance for me lately.
Walking in submission and obedience to Christ is so wonderful. The freedom and blessing that’s there is good. It isn’t the outcome expected. When I gave things up to follow Him, I didn’t expect freedom.
It’s because of Him. It’s not a set of rules we are following, but a loving and powerful God who wants to connect with us. A blessing and privilege beyond compare.