On Hebrews Chapter 2

     Yikes!  Until a couple years ago, I did not take the severity of the punishment seriously for disobeying and not following Jesus.  I even claimed to follow Him, yet my actions displayed otherwise.  Jesus does not want half of your heart, half of your life, or a relationship on your terms.  He wants all of your heart, all of your life, and a relationship on His terms.  And trust me when I say that His terms are perfect!  Jesus doesn't want lukewarm Christians.  He wants you to make a decision to follow Him- with everything.  When He called the disciples, they dropped everything- their family life, their jobs and their worldly desires to follow Him.  Until a couple years ago, I said I was a believer- but it was on my terms- as an abuser of alcohol, as a servant of myself, as an intentional sinner- proud, selfish and ugly inside.  There is no doubt that I am still proud, selfish and ugly inside- but God has redeemed me, and because I submit ALL of me to Him, surrendering daily my flesh- He sees me as blameless.  I am no longer a lukewarm Christian.  Even though I still struggle with sin, I am a vessel for honorable use.  I don't have to fear the punishment for disobeying Jesus, because I intentionally seek Him and ways to obey Him.  I am not speaking out of pride, but from a repentant and transformed heart because of the Holy Spirit's work in me- not by anything I have done on my own.  I hope that you are not walking down the road I was- believing in Him, but not obeying Him.  Don't be too confident in life if you are following Jesus in a lukewarm fashion- on your terms.  If you want to escape the severe punishment of disobedience, I suggest you work out your salvation with Jesus and live the life HE has called you to- one in unison with Him, and not in unison with sin.  When you are in unison with sin- you are also in unison with the devil.   With the devil comes a life of destruction that leads eternal death.  With Jesus comes life of blessing and grace that leads to eternal life.  You serve one or the other.  Whom do you serve?

• Leanne