"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" {James 1:8}

I awakened from the nightmare, but the reality to which I awakened was worse than the nightmare! I dreamed about an individual to whom I had taught the Gospel; but other brethren began to tell me that this person was not really committed to Christ. I became so angry with these brethren (because I believed they were lying to me) that I awakened. But after lying there awhile, and collecting my senses, I realized that some of my brothers and sisters in Christ are in the same condition as the individual about whom I dreamed. Indeed, the reality is far worse than my nightmare; for souls will certainly be lost on Judgment Day!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (spiritual) service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). While many read these passages, too often, they do not apply them to their lives. They may have been "buried" with Christ in baptism, but their "hearts" are yet "uncircumcised."

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. ...In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. ...If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 2:6-7,11-12; 3:1-3).

These, and many other scriptures, teach that a life in Christ must be a committed life. Of what good is it to say: "I am a Christian," but then to abandon assembling with your brothers and sisters in Christ (cf. Hebrews 10:24- 26)? Of what good is it to say: "I am a Christian," but then to steal from your employer and use foul language when you speak with your coworkers, (cf. Ephesians 4:28-32)? Of what good is it to say: "I am a Christian," but then to become angry, or simply turn a deaf ear, when the preacher quotes certain scriptures that expose the sinfulness of your life (cf. Acts 7:54; 24:24-26)? And of what value will it be if, on Judgment Day, you say to Jesus: "I was a Christian," but then hear Him say: "I never knew you: depart from me" (cf. Matthew 7:23)?

Why is it that some brethren can see the blessings that come from assembling with others of like precious faith? Being honest at work? Using language that edifies? Humbly accepting correction and making the necessary changes? While others cannot.

What kinds of blessings are associated with abandoning the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening Bible studies? With cheating others? Cursing? Becoming angry, or simply walking away? The true blessings in Christ--the blessings of peace and joy, of love and gentleness, of meekness and goodness, of longsuffering and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23)--are not inherited. We must work to achieve them. And we must do it with the gladness and singleness of heart that the Father desires from all His children!

"... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself" (Luke 10:27). "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." (Matthew 6:22)

There are those who do not profess to be Christians, but who live their lives in a far happier manner (in a way) than do those who do profess Christianity. These live their lives in two worlds--they strive to serve Jesus, but they are still worldly minded. Why is this true? Those who do not profess Christianity are, at least, honest, and not living a lie. How difficult it must be to know the truth, and yet persist in sin! "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?" there is more hope of a fool than of him!" (Proverbs 26:12)

"Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." (Jude 11-13) What a horrible thought! What an awful end awaits those who are uncommitted!

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:17-24).

In this world, nightmares and dreams in the night end. But the "nightmare" of hell will know no end! When one awakens from a painful dream, the horror eventually fades. When one "awakens" in hell, the horror will be eternal (Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:10,15; 21:8)! "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, Christ shall give thee light See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:14-17)

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, ...I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and Christ Jesus, ... that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Timothy 6:12.13.14)

I think that conversion without commitment is unprofitable! What think ye? (KMG)