Morally Neutral Things Compete For My Affections Everyday

I was listening to a sermon today and the preacher said that it wasn't the heinous things (drugs, pornography, drunkenness) that compete for his affections anymore, it was the morally neutral things. As I listened I thought, "Yes! Everyday, it's morally neutral things that tug at my affections!" The fact that I was pricked by his comment(s) led to thinking; What are those things? Right away I thought to myself, Philadelphia sports is a morally neutral thing that lately, has been competing for my affections (especially with the Phillies recent success). Why am I thinking for more than a minute about whether or not the Phils will get Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays? That's stupid! Why, because of my on and off distaste for Christian radio, do I tune into to sports radio and let my mind drift into things that have no baring at all on my eternity with Jesus? Is my commute time worth 30 minutes of hearing a 45 year old man's opinion on minor league pitching and steroids in the majors? No, Jesus is. Things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable are (Phil 4:8,9). 

So, today I was confronted with "the deceitfulness of Christian liberties" (if you will). Quite fittingly, I've been wading in 1 Corinthians 9 where Paul addresses this very thing; this is a slippery slope for any Christian and it seems that Paul's emphasis is not, "Surrendering my rights makes me more of a holy man, and more worthy of leadership and recognition etc." No, we already know how he feels about those things (Phil 3:1-11). His drive seems to be, "I am so enamored by this Jesus that it really makes me glad to know him and make him know, that's my boast" (1 Cor 9:15-18). He's not concerned with "seeming holy" he's concerned, consumed rather, with knowing Jesus and making him known. Everything else just kind of has it's place neatly off to the side and if it doesn't directly concern knowing Jesus and making Him known, then it's really not a concern for Paul. He gives up his rights because he's consumed with something and someone else.

Man . . . I want to be like that. Today, I see (once again) that I'm not like that. Thank God, through His Son, that He chooses to reveal my heart to me day after day. At times, the convictions that hurt the most, bring me great joy at the same time because they are affirmations of His love for me (Heb 12:1-17). 

Here's to making war against those sly morally neutral affections that compete for the affections that belong to Jesus.