RIGHTEOUSNESS OR SINFULNESS? THE CHOICE IS OURS.

BIBLE PASSAGE:
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do 
and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. 
(James 4:17)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever felt ignored? 
Everyone has a desire for love, acceptance, and attention, 
but maybe a friend or close relative has shown 
little interest in you, or what you have to say. 
This type of treatment is hurtful and can cause feelings of inadequacy.

However, there’s something even worse 
than showing no concern for others – it is disregarding God. 
Yet all of us have done this. 
One way we disregard Him is by failing to obey what we know are His instructions. 
Some think they can cleverly rewrite His commands to fit their own lifestyles.

For example, if we are feeling cornered, 
we can be tempted to justify a white lie, 
but once any lie has left our lips, we’ve ignored the Lord, and His commands. 
The same is true whenever we sense He is leading us in a specific direction, 
but we choose not to follow. 

Unless we discipline ourselves to spend time with our Father 
(in His Word and in prayer), we are neglecting Him once again.
The consequences are painful. 
For one thing, neglect grieves God because He is our heavenly Father, 
and He has a desire for closeness with each of His children. 

Since connection with the Lord is like being “plugged into” the source 
of life, ignoring Him means we will be missing out on His best for us.  
When we ignore Him, we shortchange ourselves out of 
fulfilling the purpose for which He created us – to glorify Him. 

And remember, we eventually will be held accountable for our actions.
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body 
or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 
so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in 
the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
Judgment for believers?  Yes, that’s what the scriptures tell us.

ACTION:
How are you choosing to live?
Do you heed what the Almighty commands, 
or are you living with your own set of standards? 
The conscious choices you make affect your walk with Jesus. 
If you tune your spirit to listen and discipline yourself to obey, 
you will enjoy greater intimacy with the Lord.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have ignored 
those around me, and for the times that I have ignored You through 
my actions, or inactions. Help me to realize the importance of why
You created me, and to diligently pursue You and your desires for
me. Forgive me for trying to rewrite Your purpose for me so that 
I can chase my selfish desires. Thank You for how You have blessed 
me in so many ways and for Jesus who went to the cross for my sins.”  

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