We are saved! So rise up!
Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Everybody lives an exciting life after salvation. That excitement of being cleansed of all our sins and all our iniquity. It becomes an exhilarating journey!
By and by, the euphoria fades. What happens? A believer is then challenged with 3 choices.
1) Quit
2) Repent
3) Pretend
We all know how to quit. Denounce all you have ever learned. Christianity is too difficult for me. Time to go... Where to? A "better" place that after some time, makes you regret cause the best place is to be with God the almighty! Besides, imagine getting a gift from a divine being, God. Then throwing it away as rubbish just because you have started to depend on yourself instead of on God.
Now, repent. Repentance isn't some dramatic, sincere, remorseful action/gesture of kneeling down and crying. Not that you won't do that when u repent. You WILL feel all of that. However, repentance = a change of mindset. Romans 12:2 states not to "..do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." You will know the perfect, pleasing will of God when you repent which means to "change your mindset".
Lastly, pretending. I'm the best at this. And admit it. You might just be one who's comfortable with this. I can't cope with the change of mindset. It's too humbling. Too much. Too difficult! However, i don't wanna quit too for i know that this is right or at least the friend whom i'm really close to or like is believing in it. Let me pretend that i'm okay. I'm alright. I can do it. This, in James 1:26 is reproved. James reads, "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."
WORTHLESS Religion! That's like ordering a sports equipment off the "Pasar Malam" that's 50% the price that of its original in TV Media. A rip-off imitation that looks like it but gives you a back problem while you use it. What is that equipment? It's worthless. It gives you no benefit but a back full of pain!
If you continue pretending that you're spiritual while you're not! If you boast of the religion you believe in but have no true experience of it, it's fake! It's destructive and it kills the people around you. A gift from God that's distorted and warped by you and now becomes a destructive bomb! It's time to repent!
Now, how would anyone know what is an imitation? James 1:27 - "This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
True religion is based on compassion, love for others and a focus on God and God alone and to not allow the corruption of the world's values to creep into our lives.
Have you really focused on God or have u been introspective? Introspection kills oneself over time cause you focus so much on yourself and what you lack, what you need and what you have failed that you lose focus on the fact that God's precious promises are all you need!
If you are "seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6). Then you are indeed, "This is my beloved son(/daughter), in whom I'm well pleased!" If He is well-pleased in you regardless of what you've done, then this promise indeed, if stood upon, will get you out of any emotional lack or depth you have fallen at the lies of the devil. Rise up you brethren. Come along with me and be meek! For the Lord is calling all of us to rise up now!