I don't know about you, but sometimes I get really weary of living in this era of corruption around me. Even at a Christian university, I am surrounded by people that are so lost and consumed with living for themselves. Am I surprised? Not really. Broken hearted? Definitely.
I am finally past the point of judging people that party every weekend, and now it makes me more sad than angry. It could be that they just really don't know any better. There is something missing from their lives, an empty gap only God can fill. But instead, they use temporary highs and false (immediate) fulfillment to make them happy.... for that moment. That's no way to live. And I sure do believe that God loves them despite their blindness, and I believe we are called to be the visible attributes of Him to show them the light. I'm talking about seeing lives being pulled out of the pit of hell.
I can even put myself in their shoes. If I didn't have Jesus, I can only imagine how different my lifestyle would be. But because I know Him, I am realizing that this world has nothing for me, and I am thanking Him for all of the worthless things He saved me from. Despite that, I'm not going to pretend for one second that the things of the world don't look deceivingly appetizing on the outside. There are times when I have to ask God to remind me that He's all I want and need.
One of Satan's biggest footholds is getting us to believe that being lukewarm is enough, and to believe that the world has more to offer than surrendering to Jesus. Let me tell you: I DON'T WANT TO BE AN EASY TARGET FOR SATAN. If I'm not in the Word, I will have no shield against the arrows that will be thrown at me. I will fall without a doubt, and delay or miss out on what God wants to do in and through me. (Side note: It's amazing how I will get arrows thrown at me even when I really am faithful in my quiet time. The enemy is near). 1 Peter 5:8: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
As Christians, the world can seep in without us even knowing it. One of the biggest areas is condoning unbiblical things through media and music. It's easy to become numb to it instead of fleeing from it. Blending in can become easier than standing out. Romans 12:9 says "Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."
The world sends us the message to put ourselves first. It tells us to make more money so we can spend more money on ourselves, and to worry and have a spirit of fear, taking our eyes off God.The world forgets to tell us that for everything that we aren't, God says I AM. It forgets to tell us that God is mighty and holds the universe in His hand, so He WILL takes care of us. It forgets to tell us that we aren't here to build up a kingdom for ourselves, but rather, to make heaven our ultimate treasure. (Philippians 3:20, "Our citizenship is in heaven.")
In reality, sin has no power over God's children. We let it because we walk so close to the edge of sin, and choose IT instead of Christ. The things that we do in our flesh will burn up in heaven. This makes me think: What will I have to give at the end of my life that has eternal value?
We should ask God to search and examine us. He loves us, so He disciplines us and gently convicts us. If it doesn't reflect God, let Him chisel it away. Sin KILLS.
1 John 5:19 "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."
What I'm trying to say is God has given us life more abundantly, and we can take that for granted sometimes. He gives us a purpose and a beauty in our mess, and a promise of blood-covering mercy every morning. I'm asking God to set a fire in our souls. We are inadequate and unworthy, but we are a chosen generation. There is a cost to this life, but considering what Jesus did for us, it's really not much. 2 Timothy 3:12 says "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Jesus tells us in John 15:19: "As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
As the church, we should believe that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). We should surrender those habits that identify with worldliness. We should fight for our faith by clinging to the cross, refusing to be drug away. We should be content in who God is, knowing that He is our identity.
We should want to leave His residue everywhere we go, because God was not meant to be kept in a box. Advance Him. Disciple. He has entrusted us with His Word.
What are we doing with it?
