They just don’t mix!

Have you ever been in a room where it is both total darkness and total light at the same time? Of course not! When you turn on the light in a dark room, the darkness immediately disappears because the two cannot coexist - they have nothing in common..

Paul, speaking to the Corinthians, used this example to explain that those who are of God have no links with those who are not. In 2 Corinthians, he said:

“…You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections... Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God...”  

(2 Corinthians 6. 11-16)

Many young people think that their pastor is trying to rule over them when we teach them the word of God. But the truth is, like the Corinthians, they ‘are not restricted by us but by their own affection’ - their own desires.

We do not tell you what to do. We teach you how to be successful according to God, but what you do with this teaching is up to you. When young people decide to take God’s direction for granted, they will never change. They restrict themselves with their own affections (will/desire) and trap themselves with their own way of doing things.

"...And what communion has light with darkness?"

(2 Corinthians 6.14 )

We'll conclude the topic next week.

Pr Luke Castro

Interesting conversation...

I had an interesting conversation with a youth who is a member of our youth group in the UK. I worked with him for about 2 years when I was there. He found me on line on skype and decided to chat. Here is the conversation in it's entirety. 

P.S. - (I used 'youth' as a fictitious name in order to preserve his identity)

Youth: Hi Pr. Luke

Luke Castro : Hey, how r u doin?

Youth: Im very well thanks, and yourself?

Luke Castro: Doing good.

Luke Castro : How is it going over there?

Youth: How's America?

Luke Castro: Big.

Luke Castro: Different from UK.

Youth: Lol

Luke Castro: Lot's of work. Need workers for the harvest. Inerested?

Youth: I don't understand.

Luke Castro: Well, maybe it's because it isn't for you then. Got it?

Luke Castro: I misspelt a word at the end of the question: INTERESTED?

Luke Castro: Rephrasing: Lot's of work. Need workers for the harvest. Interested?

Youth: I'm interested.

Luke Castro: Okay.

Luke Castro: Do you now what I mean now?

Youth: I think i've got it.

Luke Castro: Tell me then.

Youth: Are you talking about doing the work of God?

Luke Castro: No.

Luke Castro: I'm talking about going places where no one else dare to go in order to save the lost souls.

Luke Castro: Still interested?

Youth: Meaning on the altar?

Youth: ?

Luke Castro: No. Read the last comment again. Meditate. Ponder.

Luke Castro: You wouldn't find people like that on the altar, would you?

Luke Castro: Yes, being on the altar is part of it, but not the centre.

Youth: Thats true!

Luke Castro: So...

Luke Castro: Only those who had a true encounter with God dare to go to these places, without any restriction, completely selfless.

Luke Castro: Is there still any possibility or it sounds to hard for you now?

Youth: I'm interested.

Luke Castro: Okay. Let God see that then.

Luke Castro: Make it evident. Don't just say it. Live it. Breath it.

Youth: Thank you.

Luke Castro: Stop living according to what you feel like doing and begin doing what He wants you to do.

Luke Castro: If you stick to that then we'll meet soon.

Luke Castro: God bless you.

Youth: Thanks pr you too.

Luke Castro: You're welcome.

Luke Castro: Nice talking to you.

Luke Castro: Bye for now.

Youth: You too pr.

Youth: Bye.

Got the hint? How about you, what would you do after having a similar conversation?

Pr Luke Castro

Which One?

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16)

The rich young ruler asked one of the most important questions you could ever ask in your life. He wanted to know what to do to inherit eternal life. With such a good intention, why is it then that after he received the answer to his question he walked away sad? When we meditate on the verse we see why.

The first thing Jesus said to him was, “…Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)

In other words Jesus said, “let’s get to the point. If you want eternal life, obey - follow God’s commandments.”

He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, "You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbours yourself." The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20)

If he already knew he followed the commandments,

why did he ask the question?

Have you ever stopped to think why the young man asked Jesus ‘which ones?’ Only to later say that he’s following the commandments from a young age? If he already knew he followed the commandments, why ask the question?

Was it because he was just pretending? No. He really did follow them. But the problem was that like many people in the church, though they know what to do, they try to find another way around it by asking ‘which one?’ In other words, instead of just doing what they are supposed to do, they ask for people’s opinions hoping that in their answer, they’ll give them some kind of escape route.

Many come to church because they want to achieve something but they also know that it means certain requirements will have to be put into practice - they know they’ll have to let go of something, to sacrifice. But like the rich young ruler, because of the unwillingness to sacrifice they walk away with nothing.

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:21-22)

If you want to conquer your salvation, Jesus is telling you right now the same thing as he did the rich young ruler. ‘Go sell everything and follow Me’, He is not talking about material things, but rather the things you hold close to your heart, such as grudges, lusts, anger, pride, complexes, friends, bad character etc.

I needn’t go on because you know exactly what is you’re holding on to.

The question here is can you let go?

Pr Luke Castro

So, Who Am I?

I am

H A B I T.

Pr Luke Castro