Profession and Practice

“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬
A newborn baby needs the right kind of milk to give them the baby fat that they need to feed on as they develop. They don't need sweet tea or Mountain Dew. They need wholesome, grade A milk. The child of God needs the proper nourishment as well. We must not feed ourselves on the "junk" food of the world. We need to be nourished with the pure Word of God!
Too many "Christians" are eating from the wrong table and drinking from the wrong fountain. We, in the church in America, are being desensitized by the culture around us. We are becoming too worldly! We are trying to mix the ways of the world with our worship. We are becoming seeker sensitive rather than God conscious. Disciples of Jesus are to live their lives in reverent fear. This has been lost in many of the American churches. Yes, there are some that are striving to please God in their character and conduct but there are some who identify with Christ and think it's ok to live loose and loud. Nonsense! Jesus didn't save us to live like the devil. He saved us to live like Him!! We are His children! We are a part of heavens royal family and we are called to behave like we are. Our Father has begotten us and His character should flow through our veins. The American gospel has become perverted! We cannot claim to love the Lord Jesus Christ and live like the rest of the world. We are called to come out from the darkness and walk in the light. I'm not speaking of being ritualistic and religiously obnoxious. I'm talking about holiness!
“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. ”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:17-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬
We MUST be conscientious of who we are and what we are supposed to be doing. We must match our profession with our practice.
“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.””
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Curtis R. Norris