Articles
Best of Both Worlds
What is it that the world says that we cannot have? Not much! We live in a world today where anything and everything goes. According to what we see in the news and on social media, we live in a nation and a world that has become a place where people live however they would like to live with little to no repercussions from society. Society basically tells us that we can always have the best of both worlds all the time. That we can live however we would like and that no one should judge us or condemn us for choosing to live any kind of lifestyle we want. The problem is, this way of life does not line up with what we see in scripture.
Throughout time God has always asked that people make a choice; a choice between following him and living a life in the world. But at no time ever, did God said, that we can have both. When we look throughout scripture, God promised the Israelites that He would keep his covenant with them as long as they were obedient to him. But, if they were not obedient and did not listen to him then troubles would come until they cried out with a repentant heart. God was telling the Israelites that they could not have the best of both worlds. You cannot disobey me AND enjoy the relationship with me; either you choose me or you chose the world and what it has to offer but you cannot have both.
We have all heard the old saying…that you can't have your cake and eat it too. This also falls in line with having the best of both worlds. We cannot claim to be followers of Christ and love the things of the world more. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus addresses the cost of following him. He uses several scenarios asking men to “Follow Me” and each man had an excuse for him. Jesus ends in v.62 with, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” These seem to be pretty harsh words but Jesus was saying, you can't have the best of both worlds. Meaning, you cannot serve in the Kingdom if your heart is not totally committed and dedicated to doing the work of the Kingdom. In the long run, its impossible to have our feet in both camps; we can't claim to follow him two days of week and live the world’s way in the other five.