The bricklayer lays bricks. The roofer lays shingles. The fisherman catches fish. It would be disastrous and deceitful if a bricklayer couldn’t lay bricks, a roofer couldn’t use as a hammer, or a fisherman couldn’t cast a net. When someone cannot or will not do the work, he stops being identified by his trade.
It’s How You Live
The Christian must live Christ. Simple. Obvious. But why do so many people call themselves Christians and not live as Christ? Instead, they live like the world. James addresses this issue, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (Jas 4:4). When Christians live like the world, God sees them as enemies and adulterers. The God describes his relationship with Christian as a marriage (Rev 21:9-10). When Christians live as the world, they leave God and commit adultery with the world.
How does God feel about this?
He thinks it stinks, and it makes him sick. “Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor” (Ecc 10:1). The perfume maker’s oils, spices and herbs may make a wonderful smelling perfume, but when he adds dead flies, it stinks. Christian living is a wonderful and sweet-smelling sacrifice to God, but when worldliness is added, it stinks.
In fact, worldliness in Christians makes God sick. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Rev 3:16 NKJV). Vomiting is a sign of sickness. When God vomits, it is a sign that he is sick, and Jesus says it is worldliness among his children that causes it.
Live Christ
Therefore, Christians must realize the importance of being separated from the world. That means being separated from the ways of the world. Let the bricklayer lay bricks, the fisherman catch fish, and the Christian live Christ.
Preaching Minister