It's not the surroundings changing that will change us into holy people, it's God's working inside us. If we aren't obedient, faithful, and Christlike right now, wherever we are, why should we think a different scenery will fix that? Live holy now. Be humble now. Be obedient now. Serve, cheerfully, as to the Lord and not unto men.
Isaiah 44: Those that put their trust in men, possessions idols shall be afraid (there's no "fear not" words of comfort for them) and ashamed. They that put their trust in God won't be ashamed- He won't let them down! The Lord is the Creator, the Good Shepherd that goes after His sheep. He comforts the fearful, He supports the weary. The promise of His Spirit is for all whom the Lord shall call. He is Lord of all. The Lord won't forget His inheritance, if we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is utterly faithful, even when I am not. The Lord esteems His redemption with such glory, we're so full of ingratitude. If we hold back our praise, the very stones would cry out! He's the creator of all, God alone. Marvel that He looks upon men at all. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. His Word stands sure. Not one word will fail.
Ecclesiastes 7: Life isn't so much to be spent in dreary somberness, but rather to realize that there is eternity. Keep it ever before you. What's a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his soul? Wisdom, even if by rebuke, is much more beneficial than the flattery of lies. Put away all malice and follow after Jesus, our Example, who went to the slaughter yet didn't open His mouth. Be full of meekness and humility. All have sinned.
Romans 6: The trademarks of one truly born again is a hatred for sin, a new attitude, a new spirit. He who abuses cheap grace can't possibly have been saved. Godly sorrow works repentance not to be repented of. Once delivered, they don't go back. They run from sins. If they fall, they have an Advocate, but they strive against sin. How many of us can say we've truly done our best to avoid sin? In baptism our self is buried and we rise anew, walking after the Spirit, not the works of the flesh. We die to self, flesh, sin, the old man; we're to live holy. Christ died once for all that He might redeem us. Don't let sin have dominion over you. It's up to you to live holy unto God. Let those who take the Name of Christ depart from evil. Don't use your blood bought body to sin, rather, like Paul said, pour yourself out as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Let HIm use you for His service. Christ has redeemed us, are we going to go back to the life He's delivered us from? The sins that were laid upon Him on Calvary? Are we going to let Him down? If we continuously sin, using grace as an excuse, it would be just of God to give us up (Romans 1:20-25). You are whose you serve. Everyone serves something! The works of sin brings death. Through faith and obedience we've been loosed from sin and darkness. We serve Jesus (Matthew 11:29-30). As once you lived evily, sinning willfully, serve the Lord now in thankful gratitude for His mercy. Fasten unto the Vine that I may produce fruit unto life everlasting.
