Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17,18)
Have you ever caught yourself asking why the preacher says you should be in church every time the doors are opened? Isn’t morning church enough? Why, once or twice a month should be enough, right? Then you wonder why things go wrong?
Let’s look at some statistics. The average person works outside the home 30 to 40+ hours a week. The average student, with a job spends 35 to 50 hours in school and work. Most people do not work or go to school in a Christian organization or atmosphere. Most are not surrounded by those who will build them up. Your senses are receiving a constant barrage of information that is probably not God honoring or Christ centered. For example: vulgar or suggestive language, adultery and sex, false religions and hatred of religion, tobacco, alcohol and of course drugs both illegal and illegally used. How about television and video gaming? The average home has the television on about 38 hours a week (some of course much more and some much less). There is exposed to violence, language, sex, physical, mental and sexual abuse, alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
All of the above add up to 70 hours of exposure to the things that destroy families, lives, jobs, and relationships. If you take in those things that are poisonous, you die. If you eat those things that are bad for you like excessive sugar, fats, high cholesterol foods, additives and alcohol, you will eventually die from obesity and organ failure. Even things like medicines can kill you if not understood and used responsibly. If a person does not have an extended quiet time each day and does not attend church regularly, how can they expect to survive spiritually and be the man or woman of God He commands them to be? Be in church. Sacrifice your “personal” time and sensual pleasures and get your family in church. Be in the Winter Bible Study. Turn off the TV and begin to grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ. SDW
Chipola Baptist Association 