What God wants from us is 'singleness of heart'. We are not only to recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but submit ourselves to His sovereign rule alone. There is no middle ground on which to stand; it is impossible to be at peace when one foot is in the Kingdom and the other in the world ...
Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
Our 'old nature' thinks that we should consider every option available (whether it conflicts with our statement of faith or not). One commentary put it this way ...
It is like the heart of a girl to whom a young man once proposed. He said, “Darling, I want you to know that I love you more than anything else in the world. I want you to marry me. I’m not rich. I don’t have a yacht or a Rolls-Royce like Johnny Brown, but I do love you with all my heart.” She thought for a minute and then replied, “I love you with all my heart, too, but tell me more about Johnny Brown.” (Precept Austin)
Every person serves something (or someone), and Christians are no exception. Believers are not set free from slavery when they receive the gift of salvation; they come under the authority of a new Master.
In essence, you stood on the auction block as a slave, and Jesus purchased your sin-laden life with His own blood.
He owns you now and fiercely guards what is rightfully His ... For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Christ calls us to follow Him and abandon all others. He doesn’t share His throne with anyone. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. (Matthew 6:24)
Divided loyalty is ... no loyalty.
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