I have a simple question for you...WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??? This morning I was looking around on Facebook, some might call me a FB Stalker, but I like to just read through the status updates of my friends to see what they are thinking and experiencing today. Now, please forgive me if I sound a bit condescending or self-righteous when I say this, but it seems to me that there are A LOT of "Christian" people who have no concept, whatsoever, of what it means to pursue HOLINESS and PURITY in their lives.
Let me explain. A vast majority of people on my friends list of about 750 people claim to be believers and followers of Jesus. However, when I look at the status updates of many of those people I see no desire or regard for glorifying God with the words and attitudes expressed.
Here is why I am moved to point these things out...
1) We were created to glorify God with EVERYTHING we do. James says that our lives are like a vapor, here one moment and gone the next. His message was simple. All the junk you think is soooo important (career, money, status, reputation, etc.) is all CRAP. It is worthless. James is asking you...WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Your one point for being on this earth for just a tiny bit of time is to bring glory to your God. Let's be honest, most of us are just wasting it on stupid stuff we think is important and God is no more than something we do for an hour or so on the Sundays we feel like going to church!
2) 2 Corinthians says that if you are a believer then you are an AMBASSADOR for Christ. That means your words and actions are the words and actions of God to the people who hear you and see you. You literally speak for and represent Christ everywhere you go, including what you post on Facebook. What non-Christians see is a pretty lousy representation of God when they look at the way most of us are living and talking and acting.
Listen! If you are going to go around claiming to be a "Christian", then start representing Christ in the way you live. Yes, I mean ALL THE TIME! But if you are going to keep on saying and doing things that clearly are against what God wants from us, PLEASE quit claiming to be one of us! None of us is perfect, least of all me, but there is a big difference between the person struggling with and pursuing purity in their lives versus the person who just doesn't seem to care anymore. Which one are you? YOU MUST CHOOSE A SIDE!
very well said I catch myself caught up with worring bout my career, money future all that, last night i was reading in eph. 1 I belive it was some where around verse 10 or so but any way it was talkin how we was adopted by christ and this really hit home for me i searched deep in that scripture and reflected on my life and where I am and where I want to be. We are so lucky to have a loving God, and its time we all live like it all the time. Its not hard cause most want to live that way they just dont want to swallow there pride. I been there I know but its time to Stand. Thanks Darrell for this I hope your kids at church realise how lucky they are to have you, Miss ya man
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reality check :) All those on FB really need that and so do I sometimes! We are so blessed to have you working with our youth and adults. You and your wife have been wonderful mentors to me and my family. May God continue to bless you and your ministry!
ReplyDeleteLet it rip Darrell. I have had similiar thoughts and have been focusing on 1 Peter 1:13-23. We must be holy and obedient. We tend to think of holiness as something that we should do, not something that we are commanded to do.
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