Westside Church of Christ

The commercial proclaimed it to be a nonstick frying pan. Ditto the packaging. My expectations matched their ads, and I’m wondering why it took five minutes to scrub out a nonstick frying pan? One more disappointment that this world does not live up to its promises. The boasts are large. Satisfaction guaranteed. The results seldom match. Maybe there was some fine print that I missed.

The Lord does not have fine print. His word is up front and totally true. Jesus spoke of satisfaction for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. It will come. His guarantees are dependable. He warned about accumulating earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21). They are as deceptive as the ads for my frying pan. They promise but cannot deliver. Insects, time or thieves will take them. We cannot possibly hold on to them into eternity. Disappointment is certain.

We have one life to live and a decision to make about what our focus will be which then governs our actions. The devil has always drawn our attention to the shiny objects of this world making promises that will never be fulfilled. The word of the Lord offers a realistic look at those shiny objects. No matter how attractive they appear, every bit of it is temporary. Obedience to the will of God is the only investment that offers an eternal return (1 John 2:15-17).

The way in which we live is frequently described in Scripture as a walk. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to walk worthy of their calling, and then describes what that means (Ephesians 4:1ff). It begins with the attitude which translates into behavior. An ultimate goal is set, and the means to achieve it are determined, but we aren’t there yet. If we don’t start moving, we’ll never accomplish anything. We have to get going.

A step is not a walk. No, they are a series of steps which take us in a specific direction toward a destination. Worldly pursuits blind our eyes to the eternal implications of our actions. They confine our focus to little beyond our own skin as they determine our next move. The long-term goal pertains to something connected to this planet. It may be years in the making with a glamorous appearance which, when accomplished, will not last beyond the final heartbeat. That is the ultimate false advertising at it most disappointing. Then it’s too late.

It is always good to pause, take a deep breath, and think about what we are doing. Have we set a goal? Have we prepared a strategy to achieve it? The Lord wants us to be with Him forever. Do we want the same thing? He has revealed the way to fulfill His desires if we will accept it, but we must take walk by His directions. It isn’t just knowing. It’s walking toward a never- ending destination. Where are your steps taking you?

Call to Praise: Acts 28:23-24

His word on it: Psalm 12:6

Sermon: “Believe it or Not”