Phil 1:27-28
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
As much as it pains my flesh to say this, there is never an excuse for non-Gospel-centered and non-God-focused behavior. There is no cause for it ever. There is no reason for a lack of zeal ever. There is no time to relax from seeking God ever. Are you young in the Lord? Excuses won't help you grow up. Are you a seasoned vet? Excuses won't help you earn what you think time has afforded you. Though zeal surfaces in a variety of ways, there is no time to be without zeal for the Lord. Every excuse that is made, telling us to "let up" on this holy living for God stuff, is a lie. Every reason we accept that tells us to stop passionately living out the Gospel so incessantly and ridiculously, is not further cause for further acceptation, but is only further cause for repentance.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Here it comes again, our flesh is telling is this cannot be so. It cannot be done! It is too unattainable! Push it back and put it down. Slay it, and when it comes back, slay it again. There is no time that is an okay time to live unworthy of the Gospel; no time ever. Never. On the contrary, we should live or "walk" in a manner worthy of the Gospel, at all times. Yes, all times. Yes really, ALL times. Yes the flesh disagrees, but someday it will rot forever never to be seen again. Slay your flesh, and accept the truth.
Romans 8:8-17
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Our flesh, so unpleasing to God. The flesh, impossible to please God. Full of excuses and arguments how this kind of living cannot be so. This Gospel life being lived 24/7, 365 (and not to neglect 366 on leap year) is just too unreasonable. It cannot be done. It is making excuses even now, reasoning within you and fighting against His Spirit why excuses should be made--known or unbeknownst to you. It is making a case for why some occasional exceptions should be had; some vacation, some slack should be permitted, a seasonal break given. It tells us that living a life that is constantly and insatiably focused on the Redeemer of our souls is too exhausting for mere mortals who are only human (only flesh), and also too offensive to others. Indeed, the flesh has reason to be afraid. We need not give the flesh some wiggle room so that it can thrive and make peace with us. Our flesh is telling us it needs a chance to breath. Smother it. Stop giving it air.
Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.c In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator
There is no day, no hour, no minute, not a single second or any smaller measure of time; there is no time at all to ever live a single moment in a manner not worthy of the Gospel. God charges you, pleads with you, implores you, commands you, and has REDEEMED YOU to live a life worth of the Gospel at all times. Even when you are alone in your house, with nobody else around, walk in a matter worthy of the Gospel!
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called --Eph 4:1
What about at a sports game? Nope. What about at are restaurant when you are having a meal with family? Nope. How about when you're all alone with a good book? Nope. How about when I'm really tired and groggy in the morning, with no coffee yet? Nope. What about after a busy Sunday morning where I have already done my Godly duties for the day, worshiped and served in a variety of ways? Nope. There is still no excuse for you, or I, to stop living in a manner worthy of the Gospel. How about any other time, ever? Nope.
So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. --Col 1:10
I have it... "How about when I'm sleeping!?" Surely this is a time all of us must relax the Gospel. Nope. Still not then either.
Proverbs 3:21-24
My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
So, let's not make excuses. Too often we are lackadaisical in our approach to life, and we help each other to make excuses. We pardon each other's laziness with our own references to our own personal laziness, as if this is a justifiable reason for laziness. Yup, more lies from the flesh. Let's not help each other make excuses, let's help each other not make excuses. We may as well get ready for this kind of living now, because if we're going to heaven it's all we have to expect. Anything that tells you to stop living zealously now in this life on Earth, is not the Spirit of God Who redeemed you for this ETERNAL work that will continue on zealously praising Him forever. Relax, take a break, seek some more flesh. Nope. Lies again. Slay it, and move along to greater glory.
We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. --1Th 2:12
