1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Do you really love God? Use this text as the test. All of us sometimes fall into sin by surprise, but if we consistently deliberately go to it—if we go into it without hating it—how does the love of God dwell in us?
Some people never purify themselves even though they do not defile themselves. They never take sides with Christ unless others are on his side. They do not take sides with the Devil, but they try to stay neutral. They don't join in the ridicule, but they never stand up for Christ. That's "dead fish" Christianity.
The dead fish floats downstream. It still floats, but it is dead. If you give-up to the current you are in, it proves you are spiritually dead. Previous generations of Christians had to fight to win the crown. Do you expect to get it while lying in bed? Do you really believe there are crowns in heaven for those who do not fight against their sins? Do you think there are rewards for those who never endured hardness for Christ's sake?
If you want to get to heaven, it is already paid by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ. It is all by simple faith and trusting in the cross to save you. There is heaven for all who believe, but there is no crown except for warriors. You missed that, so read back over it. There are no rewards except for those who contend for the mastery against the flesh, against Satan, against sin, and over the world.
There is a lot you will never attain except with God at your back, pushing. But if you have the hope of Christ's coming , if it is a hope IN HIM, you can win the day. You will be purifying yourself, just like he is pure. And when he shall appear, you will be like him. Let's make that the goal next year.
