The Few-er - Part Three

We have been exploring the notion that the Lord is purifying the Church and trimming it down to a faithful, holy Remnant.  
If that is true, and we desire to be part of that Remnant,  what are the requirements or qualifications?  Hmmm…

In our sincere and good-intentioned efforts to purify and renew ourselves, the overwhelming reality is that we often do not go deep enough. To paraphrase Henry David Thoreau: There are thousands of people hacking at the branches of evil, to the one person who is digging up the sins by their roots.

We must strike at the roots of our sins and not just give the branches a light trim.  Never take for granted that Our Lord Jesus emerged from forty days in the desert, having battled temptations directed at His human nature, to proclaim God's Kingdom and to give us the Way to uproot the evil in ourselves and in our world. 
Upon returning from the desert, His proclamation of the membership requirements for entering the Kingdom of God was, "REFORM YOUR LIVES AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL."

The Lord Jesus' proclamation contains TWO POINTS. The first is to "reform" our lives. The second is to "believe in the Gospel."
To "reform" means to recognize the evil in our lives and to turn away from it.
To "reform" means to face up to the sins we allow into our lives and to decide to do something about it.
For example:

• We may be aware of our selfishness putting OUR COMFORT ahead of others' needs;
• We may be aware of PRIDE that keeps us from admitting our faults, or from apologizing for the hurt or embarrassment we caused someone;
• We may be aware of our laziness keeping us from praying, or fasting, or helping others. 
• We may be aware that we degrade our human sexuality by internet pornography, filthy video entertainment, or magazines. or thoughts, or through inappropriate behavior or deeply sinful relationships;
• We may be aware that we abuse alcohol or food or tobacco; we may be involved with drugs or with gambling. 

Reforming means facing up to our sinful, selfish, and evil tendencies and finally doing something about destroying them, before they destroy us!



But along with reforming our lives, Our Lord Jesus' proclamation also contained that second requirement.

To Be Continued…