(Jude 1:4 NASB) - The Illusion of Value

(Jude 1:4 NASB) "For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

Today I was discussing with another Christian about how the world seems to be polarizing around religion. During the course of our discussion, one of us commented that there are a number of people on television and radio who are making all kinds of claims then, supposedly, backing up what they are claiming by a scripture they quote.

Frequently when I go to the particular scripture that was quoted and read the full passage, I find that the person claiming it supports his or her point has actually taken a scripture out of context. This gives the appearance that the scripture supports what that person is saying when, in fact, it doesn't.

There seems to be a bunch of that today, just as Jude, Paul, and others point out in the form of a warning. They caution us to be vigilant in rightly dividing the Word of Truth................find out for ourselves what the scripture says and take it at its face value.

One thing I hear a great deal about today is how by using the principles of God's Word, anyone can gather to themselves great riches, wealth, fame, power......One question that always comes to my mind is this..............if this perspective of obtaining wealth in this life is true, why are there so many scriptures that warn us against gathering to us the wealth of this world?

The Lord, Himself, said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB)

And the same argument could be made for other things of this world...........why would the Lord want us to spend our time here on earth rounding up the things of this world.............and take precious time away from the one thing that the Lord has put us here to do.............bring others to Him.............bring others to an eternity of riches, beyond what we are capable of perceiving?

With His Help that's where *my* heart will be and what I will focus my efforts on..........doing the Work of the Lord.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on September 21, 2004 in post #653. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added July 30, 2005

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