"Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good"

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is
Evil, cleave to that which is good."
-Romans 12:9

What makes staying on the alter so difficult? Obviously, it is the evil that surrounds us daily. Selfishness, hatred, unforgiving spirit, anger, frustration with the Lord...all of these sins make living for Christ difficult. But as Paul wrote to the Romans, we are to abhor that which is evil.

Webster's dictionary says "Abhor" means to LOATHE, HATE, SHUDDER AT, BE HORRIFIED BY.

Wait...we are supposed to hate evil. At the sight, sound, or touch of evil we are to shudder....be horrified by! When we turn on a movie, do we shudder when they use the Lord's name in vain? Or maybe the inappropriate "for children's eyes" scene you fast-forward... do we truly hate it?

Our culture has seemingly numbed our generation to sin. No longer do we shudder at the evil which surrounds us daily. And...why? Because the twenty-first century puts little bits of evil in a movie and we think "oh, it's just a little bit, it's okay." So the next time a hot new movie comes out, it has just a little bit more...and a little more...and...oh look! A little more!

Suddenly, it seems as though all the movies, music, and activities of our generation are overflowing with evil. How did it happen? Slowly..... cautiously...... and boom! Evil crept in.

As Christians we must not be conformed to this evil! We must abhor it, hate it...loathe it! The other day my dad and I argued about whether or not I should go to see Pirates 3. Everyone says its SO good! I saw the first two movies and loved them. However, I could not see the evil in it. Now, after a long discussion, prayer, and studying God's word I have realized slowly the evil is creeping into the Pirate movies. (From number one!) and the media was numbing me to it!

Thank goodness, I discovered this before I became to "used" to it!

So now, I challenge us all as Christian young ladies and young men, to abhor that which is evil, and cling to everything good! "Pray without ceasing," and "rejoice evermore." Study God's word. I heard someone say that the average christian only reads their bible for 8 minutes per day. Oh, and did I mention that only 38% of Christians read the bible during the week at all?

We need a revival. This will never happen until we fall entirely in love with Christ, lay ourselves on the alter, and:

"Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil."
-1 Thess. 5:21-22

In Christ Alone,
Rebecca L. S.

Staying on the Alter...a Living Sacrifice.

"But I bought that gum! Why should I have to share it, it's mine I bought it!!!" My little sister wailed. Now, as any adult or teenager could configure, if someone buys something, they now own it and every bit of that item belongs to them.

The dark haired five year old smacked her gum furiously as she glared at her older brother. I laughed at both of them and told my sister to share her gum.

"But it's mine! I bought it with my very own dollar!" She yelled.
"Alright," I sighed. Finally realizing that I could no longer have influence on this situation. After all, she had bought it. Of course it was hers!

Without even realizing it at the moment, Evangalina (my sister) taught me a valuable lesson in life. If I profess to be saved, and to have been bought by Christ's blood and have my name written in the book of life, is it not then, reasonable to understand that because I have been bought by His blood, I now belong to Christ?

Is it not perfectly logical to assume that if the Lord has bought me, and I have sold myself, that I am no longer to live unto myself, but unto Christ's perfect will for my life?

Now, I am sure every christian has heard the term "Live for God," but my question is, have we, as Christians, fully surrendered our very lives to God? Sure we may admit that we try to Live for Christ, but have we truly offered ourselves to him?

Romans 12:1-2 says:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

A living sacrifice. Eh, thats not to hard! just climb on the alter and you're good to go!

Wait...did the Lord say...Living....sacrifice? No way! A living sacrifice can climb off the alter! What was he thinking?

Exactly.

So my question to you is...are you on the alter? Perhaps you need to climb onto the alter for the first time, or maybe you just need to get back on, after being off for a very long time.

"When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die."
-Bonhoeffer, Dietrich

Can you hear Him?



In Christ Alone,
Rebecca L. S.