What Keeps You from Following God?

First, a word from the Skit Guys!

http://skitguys.com/videos/item/what-keeps-you-from-following-god

What does keep you from following God? I know fear usually plays a huge factor in what keeps me from following God. Fear of what others may think, fear of failing, fear of things that could go physically wrong like disease, injury, etc. But 1 John 4 tells us this:

              

                    "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.[...] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."

So why should we be afraid to follow God?

What keeps us from following and serving God? I challenge you to ask yourself this question, along with other hard questions such as: Why do I let this keep me from following God? What can I do to overcome this obstacle that keeps me from following God? Do I need to cut certain things/people/places out of my life in order to follow God? If so, what steps do I need to take to get to that point? And most importantly: Will I do what I need to do in order to follow and serve God? 

As you ask/answer these questions, be honest with yourself and be honest with God. First of all, He already knows your heart so there's no point in being anything but 100% honest with Him. Second, be honest with yourself because you're not really getting anywhere by not. 

Following God means being a sacrificial servant. Being sacrificial means giving up things even when we don't want to, even if we think it's harmless. This includes how we spend our time and who we spend it with. This includes the movies we watch, the music we listen to, the books and magazines we read. Every area of our lives is included. As Christians, we are called to be holy and sanctified. 1 Peter 1:15 says, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." In ALL you do. Once again, don't lie to yourself about areas in your life you should be giving up so you can follow and serve God correctly. ALL things we do, hear, see affect our hearts in a big way, even if you think "it's just a little bit." 

Christ said, "and anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matt. 10:38-39)." 

Christian, I implore you, take up your cross today. Lay your burdens down at the feet of Christ and follow Him. 

Much love!

Thank you for visiting!