I recently attended a Women's Conference where Candice Cameron Bure' was one of the Speakers. I've never heard her speak before until then. I must say that I was very impressed with what she had to say! She, like many others in this world, had accepted Christ into her life, as a child, at the age of 12 yrs old. But there was really no commitment to Him, until she became an adult. But even as a young adult in her early 20's; as a wife and mother, she still struggled with "why" she needed to "live for Christ".
Candice's belief, like many of us, was that she was a "good" person, so why did she "need" Jesus, anyway? As long as she lived a good life, and was a good mom; a good wife; and etc., she didn't need Him in her life. She had already accepted Him when she was a young girl, so what more did she really have to do? Did she really have more to do to get into heaven? Or was accepting Him at the age of 12, and just being a good person, enough?
Her brother, as some of you may know, is Kirk Cameron. He and Ray Comfort work together on The Way of the Master. Kirk was also on Family Ties, when he was a young kid. Candice was on Full House from the age of 8 to 18 yrs old.
Kirk was the one who had taken a more serious walk with the Lord. He offered Candice a book to read one day, that explained to her the importance of having a "real" relationship with Jesus, versus just being a good person, and "hoping" to get into heaven. As Candice began to read this book, one thing stuck out to her that she read. The Ten Commandments.
As she explained at this conference, the Ten Commandments are God's "rules" for us to live by. As Christians, we should be taking these commandments seriously. And as she read the Ten Commandments over again, it dawned on her that even if she had only broken one of the commandments, that was as serious as breaking them all, to God. Let's take just one commandment as an example: Thou Shalt Not Lie.
Have you ever told a lie? Even a little one? Or how about a white-lie? You know, the ones that really don't count. Or do they all count? What about the lie you tell when you don't feel like going into work, so you call in sick? Or what about when you've gone shopping and you've spent more money than you were supposed to, and you tell your spouse that you didn't spend that much? Or how about when you make up an excuse as to why your child was not in school today; or why they hadn't completed their homework? Or what about when your wife was away for a few hours, and you decide to go see what you can "find" on the Internet, and when she returns and asks what you've been doing, and you reply, "Nothing"? Or how about that flirtatious co-worker that you tell your wife or husband "there's nothing to it"????
Sometimes when we lie, we can make up so many excuses for our behavior! We justify why we lie. We make excuses why it's okay. When in actuality, it is not okay! It is a commandment that you have broken. It's a sin. Sin is sin, no matter which commandment you have broken. When you've broken one, it's like you've broken them all.
God wants a RELATIONSHIP with us. He wants us to abide by His commandments, also, inside that relationship. He wants us to get serious about our relationship with Him. Not just lukewarm. He says "if you are lukewarm, I will spit you from my mouth". He wants all or nothing.....no in-between!
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you ever look at something your neighbor just purchased and then went out and bought the same thing (or very similar) to keep up with them?
2. Have you ever looked at the opposite sex and had an impure thought about him / her?
3. Have you ever dishonored your parents?
4. Have you ever horded money away in fear that you would lose it?
5. Have you ever really given God your whole heart? Or are you just toying with Him?
6. Have you ever really taken the time to just sit and talk to Him about whatever is in your heart? He knows you inside and out; so what are you waiting for?
I believe God gave these commandments to us for a reason. I believe they are instructions for us to live by, just as Candice explained at this Women's Conference. As she explained that just being a good person, wasn't enough, I began to really look into my own heart, and ask if I had really gotten serious with God. I had to ask myself if I had truly given Him my all. Or was I just lukewarm? And if I was lukewarm, what was I waiting for? What was keeping me from giving Him my ALL? Wouldn't these things be considered idols in my life, if I were putting them before Him?
I made a commitment to Him that day, to take Him more seriously, and to give Him my ALL. How about you?
Do YOU think just being a good person is enough to get you into heaven? Or do you feel that there is more to it than that? I'd love to hear your comments.
Comments (3)
Works without faith are just as dead as faith without works is dead.
We live in a world that makes it's own rules, that change frequently, about what does or does not qualify as a "good life". But the standards of God are eternal, and set above those of man, and outside of the grace of God and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we cannot attain those standards that qualify as living a "good life", that is, IF we seek to please our Father more than man.
I'm not a good person most of the time so I know if that is what it was based on I'd be going to hell in a coach handbag. I have been a believer all my life and lived for Him fully on and off. I think just as I mature in age, I mature in my faith and walk with The Lord and if a person can do it at a younger age and prevent themselves hurt and regret then that is awesome! I am not one of those people. But I'm going to get there.
Glad you got to hear a good word at the conference.
@MomGoneMadd@xanga - If we were all good people, there would have been no need for Jesus. I know exactly what you mean about aging and increasing in your Walk. The older I get, too, the more seriously I take my walk. Funny, when we are younger, we think we are so invincible! If you ever get the chance to hear Candice, I would highly encourage you to do so. She has a way of making this subject, so very clear!! She's an excellent speaker! Thank you for stopping by today and leaving a comment! God BLESS all that you put your hand to today, in His name!