I Cannot Say That I'm A Catholic Christian If...

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, and continue to live a life of purposeful sin, for to do so is an affront to God. Hebrews 10:26 states "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, and yet continue to live in sexual sin, with the excuse "I have needs. I'm a good person and God knows my heart." The Lord specified in 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, and yet continue to live in adultery, with the excuse "Every situation is different and we truly love each other. Besides, his/her spouse doesn't understand them." Hebrews 13:4 states "Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, and yet continue to use profanity in my conversations with others. It is not of God and it draws us away, rather than into His presence. James 3:10 states "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, and yet continue to hold unforgiveness in my heart. Matthew 6:14 states "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespassers."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian and trust God with all my heart, yet I continue to consult horoscopes and psychics regarding my future. Their prophecies and guidance are governed by something other than the Lord. Indeed, to heed the counsel and directives that are brought forth from both venues is to expose yourself to the demonic. Isaiah 47:12-15 state "Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed, perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many consultations; let those who study the heavens stand up and save you, those who gaze at the stars, and at each new moon predict what shall befall you. See, they are like stubble, the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have trafficked with you from your youth; they all wander about in their own paths; there is no one to save you."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, and yet my church attendance is sporadic, not due to anything else but laziness. The Lord asks that we fellowship with Him for one day out of the week, but even when our houses of worship are in nearby proximity, the excuses are endless "It's too hot...it's too cold...it was raining...I rest on Sundays....I watch Christian television...I have church in my heart..." and on and on they drone. In Matthew 26:40, Jesus chided His apostles for their inability to stay awake with Him for one hour only in Gethsemane. Moreover, in Hebrews 10:25 we are told "We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian, yet my daily routine includes no time spent with God or His Word. To limit my interaction with Him to Sunday only is to my own spiritual detriment. It is during that period of fellowship with the Lord, that I commune with Him and receive His directives. Psalm 16:11 states "You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right Hand are pleasures forevermore."

I cannot say that I'm a Catholic Christian,yet I continue to seek and derive counsel from those who walk apart from Christ. While their guidance may appear to be sound, it is not rooted in God and oftentimes runs contrary to His Word and mandates. But we, as humans, are prone to instantaneous gratification and for that reason, we seek immediate advice from those around us, despite the caliber of their own lives. The Lord's way, however, is exemplified in Psalm 1:1-2 "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night."