Los Dos Caminos

Tuesday, 23 June 2009 15:05

I want to start by asking a question. How many have been lost on the highway sometime? This is something that happens often when we first visit to a place. So what happens is that sometimes we come to places where we have to make a decision, ie, we have to turn right or left, and unless we take the right path, because then we are behind in reaching our destination point or get lost completely. Have you come across someone that sometime? This, of course, is something that happens only when we have installed in our car one of these global positioning devices that speaks and tells exactly what to do to reach our destination. This is the topic we'll explore today, today we examine the path we are going through. This is an issue that perhaps some are a little strong, but we understand that in this life there are only two paths to take. We as Christians understand that there are no alternative routes, for Christians there is only one way. Now to the word of God and explore this topic.

Philippians 3:17-21 - Brethren, be imitators of me, and look upon those who thus conduct themselves according to the example we gave you. 18Porque For many walk, of whom I have told many times, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ 19el so is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame ; who think only of earthly things. 20mas our citizenship is in heaven, where we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21on will transform our lowly body, that is similar to the body of His glory, for power with which you can also attach to everything himself.

As I usually say, to better understand the message God has for us today, we will require a brief review of history. First of all, we know that Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome. This is something that is clearly reflected in Philippians 1:13 we read, "so that my bonds have been visible in Christ in all the palace, and everyone else." Why should note this detail? It is important to note this because this little piece of information reveals the state of mind of Paul when he wrote this letter. This lets us know that Paul was probably suffering from some level of anxiety, and that he was worried about his future. I say this because the reality of it is that he was awaiting trial and then be executed. He knew well that his trial would be followed by implementation, and this is something that is best exemplified as found in 2 Timothy 4:6 we read, "I am now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my departure is at hand . 'But despite his personal situation, despite the anxiety he was experiencing doubt, his biggest concern was for the church. What is he worried? Her concern is that the devil had started to try to destroy God's work through false doctrine. At this time the church at Philippi was confronting false teachers who had joined, and these teachers attacked the cross of Christ. This is something that is very well reflected in his warning to them as found in Philippians 3:2-3 we read, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of mutilating the body. 3Porque we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. "I think now everyone has a better picture of the circumstances at the time, so I will keep in mind.

The first thing we find here is that the apostle says, "Brethren, be imitators of me, and look upon those who thus conduct themselves according to the example we gave you." But what does this mean? Paul Are you telling us he was perfect and he is who we should imitate? The answer is absolutely not, as found in Philippians 3:12-14 he says, "Not that I have already attained, either were already perfect: but I press on, to see if I can get hold of that for which I was also apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Hermanos, I count not myself to have apprehended but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14prosigo the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. "But then What we are saying with this? What we are saying with all this is that we want to admit it or not, every believer has the world's eyes on them since. The world set their sights on every believer believers because it exercises some influence over this world. You might not want to have that influence, but the reality of it is that the way we live and act influence other people.

Needless to say, their influence in this world can be a positive or negative. I say this because when we take the time to think about the choices we have to do, and to consult God before reaching a determination, then our actions will be positive. In other words the world will see what should always be a believer, and this is serving as the love and mercy of God. But when we take the time to do these things, and let ourselves be carried away by impulses and emotions, then do not always act the way we act. Needless to say when this happens the devil misses no opportunity to embarrass not only the person who acted badly, but to embarrass the people of God in its entirety. And for this same reason that how faithful believers, we must choose our path carefully. I know this can sometimes be a little tricky, and is something that hinders us because we will have to battle against our own flesh. I know that the battle can be difficult, but something we can all be very sure that the war is already won. Note how this is something that is best exemplified in Hebrews 2:14 we read, "... So, because the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in the same, to destroy death through the who had the power of death, that is, the devil ...." Tell the brother you have at your side, Christ won for you.

Continuing, we read "For by many walk, of whom I have told many times, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ 19el so is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who think only of earthly things. "This is where the danger for many. I say this because there are many who have had doctrines and / or opinions that go completely against what God wants. We're talking about people who act knowing that what they do is not pleasing to God, and that does not conform to His will, but think that it is not bad enough that God will condemn them. In other words we are talking about people who think there is a path in the middle. People who think that there is a way we can pass that will allow us to make nice with the world and with God at the same time. Tell the person you have at your side, it has to be strong. But the fact of the matter is that there is no path, and this is something that our Lord made it very clear as found in Matthew 12:30 we read, "Whoever is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scatters. "As we can see, the reality of it is that or choose God's ways, something that never concur with the things of this world, or choose to remain in the world, something that will never be accepted by our King and Savior. Brothers, there are only two paths to choose, there is no way in the middle. Let me illustrate the point I understand otherwise.

It's like when you invite us to go somewhere for the first time and do not know the geography of the site. Most typically receive direction and we are given instructions on how to get there. Then we got in our vehicle and started to follow instructions, but if we are not vigilant, or when we do not follow the instructions to the letter, the safest thing is that we move from the exit where we had to lower. Another thing that happens frequently and I'm sure we all happened, is that when we are confused or we're not quite sure what to do, then we move to the center line and hold our place or we stop completely between so we decided if we right, we turned right, or turn to the left. Does this happen to someone? But what has all this to follow Christ? The answer is easy. What often happens is that many begin to follow, in other words, start by following the instructions as they are in the word of God, but sometimes when it comes time to make a decision or choose the path imaginary environment or allow be influenced by the flesh and they choose the wrong road to cross. With this I am not saying we have to be perfect because it never will be, but if I am saying we must be more careful of the road we take. God's people listen carefully, when a pleasure of this world is more important to serve and praise God, then let us know that we're traveling the wrong way. If we can not say no to the things of the world without hesitation, then let's note that we are in the path of the medium undecided how to proceed. Once this happens then the enemy's attacks come, come the difficulties, is suffering.

As believers faithful to God we must acknowledge that there is only one path which leads us to the eternal presence of God. This is something that our Lord made it very clear as found in John 14:6 we read, "Jesus said I am the way and the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father except through me." When we decided not follow the path of God, when we choose to travel on the road for maybe another life will be easier, or maybe we will get more wealth, or more fame, or anything else that this world can offer us, then our God ceases to be Jesus Christ and become things of the flesh. The reality is that when an entertainment or activity is more important than coming to listen to His Word and come to praise His holy name, then we have chosen to serve other gods. I want us to look at this detail here to understand well what I say. Here we see that the apostle says, "whose god is their belly." But what does this mean? To understand what this means we must examine the meaning of the word "belly". The belly word used here comes from the word Greek "koilia" and one of its meanings is "to be given to the pleasures of the palate, to gluttony." What we are saying here the word with this? What we're saying is that if our appetite for things of the world dominates us, then we are enemies of the cross. We should not concentrate on the things of this world because everything that's here is temporary. This is something that is very well stated by our Lord as found in Matthew 24:35 we read , "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass." All we have in this world can be lost in the blink of an eye, nothing that offers the world can be compared to what we ourselves expected. What I speak? us go now and see.

What awaits us? Paul answers the question easily when he says "But our citizenship is in heaven, where we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body, that is similar to the body of His glory, for power with which you can also attach itself all things. " We are not of this world, so the path that has shown us not for us to be here. The Word of God for the faithful believer is the perfect map of how to get and stay in the eternal presence of God. It is important to notice the key word I uttered when I said "stay." I say this because unfortunately there will be many who come to God's presence, but which may remain due to the path they have chosen through during their lifetime. This is not something that I invented and it's something I'm sad to say, I'm sad to say because unfortunately all of us here know people who profess to be believers do not serve God, and that unless they change some day listen to what we find in Matthew 7:22-23 we read, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in thy name cast out demons in Your name perform many miracles? 23y then I declare I never knew you: depart from me, you evildoers. "The Word of God is the perfect map that traces the path we must take to reach heaven. The Word of God are the instructions given to us that we never have to stop and decide which route to take, but the instructions are exactly lead us to our eternal mansion. Note how the Lord said in John 14:2 we read, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you."

To conclude. We should all carefully consider the way in which we travel. We must be very sure to follow. We must be very aware of the reality that we are all being watched by the world. Nothing would give greater pleasure to the devil to be able to embarrass the Body of Christ. Always remember that as we speak, we look, and behave this under careful observation. Sometimes we talk and think that anyone is ignoring us, but in reality they are. I have a question to those who have small children, did your child has repeated time gap a conversation you had with someone else? I do not know the rest of us here, but my daughter is like radar. She may be playing with dolls or coloring, or doing anything else, and you think you are not paying attention, but does not miss anything. The world is in the same way, we think no one is paying attention, but the reality of it is that we are watching closely. Instructions on how to get to our new city, of how to get to our new home have been given carefully. The Word of God is like the global positioning device that speaks to us and guide us precisely so that we reach our destination without getting lost. You do not need to stop in the middle of the day to ask directions, and we can not allow the enemy to confuse us or seduce us through our appetite for things of this world. Always remember that despite what religions teach, despite what they try to prove doctrines, despite the mindset that we can take, the reality of it is that there are only two ways. There is only the path which leads us to remain in the presence of God, and one that will lead us to eternal damnation. Remember what the Lord tells us in Matthew 7:13 we read, "Enter through the narrow gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it." Examines today your life and determines the way you walk. You still have time to choose. Listen and pay attention to the Word of God, lest he be vigilant not to get lost from where He wants you.

Comparte este enlace