No one can serve two masters

Either – or

Either you walk according to the flesh, or you walk according to the Spirit. “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6. You can be in the flesh (Romans 7:5), or you can be in the Spirit (Romans 8:9). It is up to you. Are you in the Spirit or are you in the flesh? Do you live according to the lusts of the flesh, or do you live in the Holy Spirit?

“We are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” Romans 8:12. If you live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, the flesh with its lusts is powerless; it is crucified. But if you live according to the flesh and its lusts, you trample your conscience underfoot, and you cannot hear Him who speaks from heaven. What are you listening to? To the demands from the lusts in your flesh, or to your conscience and to Him who speaks from heaven?

No one can serve two masters

It is one or the other. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24. Who is your Lord? Christ or Belial? Whom do you love most? Whom do you follow? Your answers to these crucial questions determine your eternity. Be honest with yourself.

If up until now you have lived according to your flesh and acted according to the will and thoughts of the flesh, then repent; put an end to all demands of the flesh. Open your heart and your ear to God's calling and His voice. Everyone must serve a master – either sin and unrighteousness resulting in death, or righteousness resulting in life and peace. There is no middle ground. Either death reigns, or grace and righteousness reign. (Romans 5:17) Either one man’s offense must necessarily result in your condemnation, or one Man’s righteous act must result in justification of life for you. (Romans 5:18) You either open yourself to faith or to unbelief.

Whom will you serve?

“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Romans 6:22.

Each one of us must personally decide whom we will serve. It depends on what we want. We each have the power to choose. No one can say he is unable to serve the Lord if he really wants to. God responds immediately when a person chooses to serve Him. He will help that person put every area of his life in order. If this were not the case, no one would be able to serve Him. However, it is written, “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17.

This article was first published in BCC’s periodical “Hidden Treasures” (“Skjulte Skatter”) in July, 1929.
© Copyright Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters Forlag