A number of years ago, fewer than I care to admit, I finally came to the point where I saw the Christian life clearly and I was faced with two great paths: self-denial and self-indulgence. Decisions could either be made because it was what I wanted, or because it was what I knew was right. Fortunately, the two often coincided in my life; but without a conscientious choice the outcome would be left to the impulse of the moment–very dangerous.
So which path did I take? I was afriad of sacrifice; I was afraid of where that road would lead; or more honestly what the road may require. I enjoyed moderate indulgence. Taking that road, however, plunged me into a realm I had not known previously. It was a place where Sathan, who had in times past tempted me physically, was tempting me intellectually. He approached me with the reasoning, “If you live a self-sufficient life, why not thing self-sufficient thoughts?”
You see, I still acted righteous and did “good” things in the eyes of men; but it was hypocrisy because at the base of my decision was the fact that I was doing what I wanted to do. And of course, a philosophy of life has a way of changing even the strongest of habits, especially at college where hundreds of voices innundate, calling different directions. The Bible makes it clear–a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
So the entire struggle stemmed from the day I said no to self-sacrifice; some of the strongholds have remained thanks to godly parents. Sadly, though, I had to go through the process of tearing down beliefs before I realized that the only reason I was tearing them down was because they were as vacant as an abandoned house; my actions had long since moved out and so why believe something you’re not acting upon. I have only just begun to realize that one or the other must go–the faith not demonstrated by actions or the actions not based in faith. After examining both…
EMPTY ACTIONS MUST GO… I CHOOSE FAITH!
