A ‘SMOKE OUT OF THE CHIMNEY’ LIVING

It is not strange to even notice how fallen we are! Our inner man knows the truth.

But for the cross of Jesus, we would be wallowing in the same filth till Eternity judges us to Hell. We know this because of our sin and degradation. So, if we want to change, we must proactively engage in rejecting the worldly systems that submerge us, and worship Christ with all our hearts, according to the Scriptures.

Hosea 13:2,3 KJV, says very poignantly…

And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

Therefore, they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Notice here the word ‘craftsmen’. I would safely say this represents the workplace, or the kind of work that we do.

Did you know that the workplace and the culture merely reflect the people’s worldview?

Here it is in plain and simple language. If the people choose to worship God, then the workplace and policies will worship God. If the people choose to worship money and image and position, then the workplace and policies will also worship money and image and position.

Therefore, Hosea says, they become as the passing dew and the chaff driven by the whirlwind out of the floor. This is an entire society without foundations.

Here’s something very flawless, and we must know that we cannot neglect this Divine Truth:

If we break God’s rules there will be consequences.

Gal 6:7 says, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Many Christians are living in deception. We think that we can sow seeds of rebellion by violating God’s laws and not have consequences. Yet this is what we are doing.

The rule of the Universe is simple…we cannot worship money as well as God! One will become our servant while the other our master.

So, then it is money that defines who we are. Money determines us. It demarcates our social standing, our rules of existing, and where we work and how we live and what we wear.Why do I say this?

Here’s my personal reasons.

In Luke 16:13 Jesus brings an Eternal clarity for us…No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Most of us do not consider ourselves as the worshippers of money. And we will anger if told so.

But our culture really reflects our real value systems…and hey…the signs tell us who we really are.

These are just my observations, and the sad part of this is when the culture of the Indian church takes a ‘twist’ to copy westernism.

Are we led by the One who calls us to Him? Are we positioning ourselves to do His will and walk in His Kingdom values? Are we trusting Him to sustain us when all is falling around us?

So here goes.

Let me share just four major signs I see that are so prevalent in our Indian society, especially in the up and coming young in our nation. Signs and symbols are essential after all! And as an ‘old hand’ it worries me.

Success is designated in terms of money.

When the label ‘successful’ is applied to us, we are commonly referring to our financial success.

We live as consumers and not as stewards.

Our whole economy is built on consumption. The truth is that when personal consumption drops the economy drops.

Almost everyone chooses their work based on money.

People as a rule, will ‘jump’ jobs to make more money. Other factors become secondary. God’s will and purposes and personal vision for the Kingdom play second fiddle.

Money dictates where we live and what we have.

This is the reason why people are ‘living on the edge’ and never seem happy with what they have.

I wish I can say more. But not today.

Be careful who you are and what you reflect.

Don’t become a smoke out of the chimney!