The above verse compares two people by looking at their choices and the results they experience.

The word “backslider” means someone who has turned away or turned aside. It refers to a professing believer who has stopped living for God and has chosen to live for self and the world instead. It also refers to someone who tries to walk halfway for God and halfway for self.

When someone lives for self and they know better, they certainly cannot please God. They lose out on everything because they cannot enjoy enough of the world by only giving themselves half-heartedly for it. Neither can they please God because we are told in I John 2:15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Turning away from God in any fashion means that your love for Him is less than it ought to be – you have “left your first love.” All of your ways and attitudes are tainted by the world and it affects all you do and do not do. You have become filled with your compromising ways.

On the other hand, the “good man” is one that loves God and serves Him with their whole heart. All he does is evaluated in the light of God’s Word. They are not perfect, but when an individual lives that way, it affects all they do – and God gives them joy doing it and while living for Him. Paul won “the crown of righteousness” because he was single-minded and finished the course God gave him (II Tim. 4:8).

Who are you seeking to please? Is it God or yourself? If you have been living for yourself – are you tired of the results and lack of satisfaction you have been getting? Why not confess it now and start living for God again?

I Ti. 6:8 “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

On Thanksgiving, many people will, at least, give token thanks to God and to others. People are often kind to others as Thanksgiving approaches.

Get togethers are enjoyed and people actually enjoy being with each other – for a couple of hours during the Thanksgiving dinner. Goodbyes are then said and people go their way.

Black Friday comes and there is a completely opposite attitude in some people. The thankful attitude has gone out the window and it has been replaced with covetousness and unkindness toward fellow shoppers.

What people don’t have becomes the object of passion and they will buy it – or else. Claiming to be thankful the day before, things have completely changed. Now, greed for the newest and latest gadgets takes over and woe to the shopper who gets in the way!

This is where true Christians can shine. They will still show kindness – even if they are out in the crowds on Black Friday.

People of the world can only attempt to find inner satisfaction with new toys. They can only satisfy for a little while.

The believer, on the other hand, gets joy from being in Christ’s presence. It produces a joy the world can never know – and it comes without a price tag and needs no warranty. With Him in the heart, contentment is not an effort or a dream – it is reality.

Christian, if you do not have joy today – or any other day – why not spend some time in His presence and get your peace restored? Surrender afresh to do His will and He will bless you.