Some conversion stories are dramatic: The boss of a motorcycle gang has raped, killed, and spread crime all over the nation. He lands in prison and finds Jesus—and his life is radically changed! He has seen the dark side, and he’s never going back!
Most never see such highs and lows. Many believers grew up in church, and when they rebel rarely end up criminals.
But high school and college students often have to see the darkness before they fully embrace the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
But there is risk: some will see the darkness, enjoy the darkness, and EMBRACE the darkness.
Others step back from darkness, but embrace something equally wrong, but socially acceptable: the pagan notion of MODERATION.
Some of us are not walking with Jesus, we are merely living “in moderation.” We are gluttons for Mexican food, but in moderation. We drink wine, but in moderation. We cuss, but not that much. We read our Bible but only a little.
We follow Jesus in moderation, arguing, ‘I don’t want to be a fanatic!’
We are judgmental and gossip in moderation. We watch sex on TV, but in MODERATION—We’re not perverts like So-and-So. We are ambitious, jealous, selfish, hateful—but in MODERATION. Is that what being a Christian means—a life of MODERATION? Is that what Jesus meant in Matthew 16:24 when He said “if any man wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me”?
Elijah confronted his people:
“How long will you waver between two opinions!?” 1 Kings 18:21.
Others translate it:
How long will you hesitate between two sides? How long will you sit on the fence? How long will you hobble back and forth? How long will you try to have it both ways?
Have you seen enough darkness? Many of us have seen enough to step back. But don’t step back to a life of moderation.
Embrace Jesus to the extreme!
He give you purpose and joy. Moderation is selfish. Jesus calls you to selflessness. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. You cannot serve Jesus in moderation.
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Household Words: 