Standing for God

By Benjamin H. Liles

          But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. ~ Revelation 2:4-5



          As of recent i am making known where my priorities are. My loyalty, first and foremost is to God. I may go about it wrong, at times, I may be zealous as well. It means I will be in the wrong, but it is for the greater good. This greater good I'm talking about is making and taking a hard stance for God. I know, it sounds like I have become Saul of Tarsus. He was zealous as well. However, just as he became known as apostle Paul and appealed to us about abandoning sin and wholly devoting himself to God and encouraging us all to do the same, so am I.

          Please, don't take me the wrong way here. I'm not talking about being dogmatic. I'm not even talking about not having fun or even in upholding the laws of the land. By loving God, first and foremost, it means I want to show how much He means to me. It means I'm making it known, hard and fast, I'm not at peace with this world. I am putting off my hatred, my anger, my selfishness, and my overriding urge to follow after materialistic wealth. I'm not greedy.

          If you have been reading and keep up with what God puts on my heart, you'll see I am for my neighbor. I am what Ezekiel was charged with on behalf of Israel. God called him to be a watchman, to warn his people--Israel--of their sins, their lack of love for God, and they were on a road to destruction. We all are. I feel, in a huge way, that I am like Ezekiel. Do I want others to follow their lust, their pride and what their eyes see? No. I'm not vain.

          Rather, I implore each and everyone who reads to put off sin. Surrender yourselves to God. If you enjoy movies that promote more than just entertainment, such as immorality, idolatry, hate, anger, and a ton more I could list, then you're allowing yourself to keep on in that lifestyle of living sinfully. I doubt we, as Christians, truly want. Let's have a hunger, a zeal, passion for God. Let's let our light shine before everyone. I want you guys and gals to be hot for God.

          Keeping Him at the forefront means you will look after your neighbor. It means doing your utmost to encourage, to help them out, to be willing to carry their burdens. In all honesty it's a sacrifice that pleases God more than anything else. I'm done doing things that divide my attention from Him. I want Him glorified. I am nothing without Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to set me free from sin and death. And I desire the same for all of you. Where do you stand? Will you be like me and love God first?