There seems to be a new phenomenon in the country these days, one I don’t remember seeing in my lifetime. Squatters, people who just move into someone’s home, without permission and refuse to leave. Our laws seem to align more with the squatters than the owners of the homes they occupy, which is absurd. I am reading a book by A.W. Tozer, Obedience to Christ: Striving for the greater wisdom of all. In the chapter entitled, “No Substitute for Action,” Tozer writes, “The evangelical church today is following the course of the liberal movement and going down the same pathway of compromise. One compromise here, another compromise there, and soon there is very little, if any, difference between the so-called Christian and the man in the world.” Reading that quote, I thought, how many of our churches are actually filled with squatters, instead of believers?

Tozer writes, “The devil believes in God, so you are on the same page as him. He does not even mind if you worship God, provided you also worship the gods of this world. As long as you believe in God as millions of Americans do today and do not make Him the number one exclusive priority in your life, the devil has no issue with you.” That strikes true with so many of us! Where have I made God secondary in my life? Where have I pushed my desires above His sovereignty, His will? Where have I been disobedient? I can say that as I learn more and see God for who He truly is, the more I see my own shortcomings. Yet, God loves me, and sought me out, even when I was lost in my own stubborn willfulness!

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 ESV

So, what kind of response should we have to such love and sacrifice? Obedience! We should see how truly unworthy we were, and how far God came on our behalf. That dear one, should drop us to our knees!

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.

Romans 5:6-7 ESV

I believe that many in our churches have become so comfortable that they have lost sight of how far off the narrow path they have strayed. As believers in Christ, we should be examining our hearts each day. We should be examining our thoughts, our dreams, what motivates us, and especially, how we treat others. Nothing angers me more than a hateful Christian! I am grieved by the times in my life where I have been unkind to others, when I have treated people with contempt. But I am broken and in my broken heart, I thought my contempt was justified. But, in the heart of Christ, we are not to be pharisees. We are to be obedient to the word of God and seek Him in all areas of our lives.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

That brings me back to the squatters. As you sit down to worship tomorrow, examine your heart. Are you a believer, anxiously, worshipfully, coming to commune with your God? Does your life belong to the one true God, Yahweh? Or are you resting in a pew, fulfilling your weekly hour obligation, paying your dues to the club? When you reach the gates of Heaven, will you be an owner in the righteousness of Christ, or will you be evicted as a squatter?