Key Text: Philippians 2:12 KJV - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Religion is either pure or vain. Sadly though, the religious life of many people falls short of God's standard. They go to Church, some even officiate as ministers, yet their lives are full of cursing, swearing, lying, evil-speaking and selfishness. The word of God says such people are deceiving themselves with vain religion. The world is filthy, and you must avoid being stained by it. Evil communications corrupt good manners.

Sin deceives; therefore, it is needful to remind ourselves daily about the warnings in the Scriptures and remain watchful. We cannot afford to be careless with our Christian life because many in the past and in contemporary times have been and are still being deceived out of the straight and narrow way. Be not deceived: the wages of sin is death and whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. A little sin has the power to damn your soul in hell.

How do you see other people? There will be no passion for evangelism until you are able to see men as human beings and not as trees. Another touch from the Lord is needed to enable you see men through the eyes of Christ as never dying souls. When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion and He raised a prayer request for more labourers to be sent into the field of souls - Matthew 9:36.

We have a merciful and just God who always warns us to deliver us from impending dangers. But because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Many take the longsuffering nature of God for granted. It is not the will of God for anyone to perish in their sin. He wants all men to come to repentance that they might have eternal life.