I guess I have always been one of those people who thought I was living the Christian life like I was supposed to:
*I have gone to church since I was very young.
* I was saved and baptized at 7 years old.
*I had given my life to Christ (or so I said verbally, often).
*I have loved God my entire life. Etc.
However, recently (not sure at what exact point) I began really trying to live out what I proclaim. I must say, it is definitely NOT easy. I have tried to really think about my words and actions before moving forward with them and tried to make sure they fall in line with what the Bible teaches and how Jesus would act and talk. My first attempts were with my husband. This was very hard at times. My selfishness wanted to act and talk the way I wanted to. If I was mad about something, I wanted to say mean things and yell. I did not want to stop and think about what I was doing wrong in the situation. I did not want to stop and make sure I was respecting my husband. I can remember distinctly feeling rage fill the inside of my body, rage that wanted to be released SO badly, and I remember my heart (where Jesus resides) telling me that was not the way to handle things. It has been some of the most difficult things I have made myself do. However, I know that those were the right things to do, and I can tell my heart is better for it. Just by trying to start working on those little things has made me continue to grow closer to God in my relationship with Him.
Let me be clear, though, I am not trying to work on these things because I need to gain favor with God, or am trying to earn my way to heaven. The Bible clearly teaches us that those are not the things that save us, "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 (NLT). But it also tells us that, "...someone may argue, 'Some people have faith; others have good deeds.' But I say, 'How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.'" James 2:18 (NLT).
I fully believe that if we are to claim to be Christians, we have to strive to live that life. We can't have one foot in and one foot out. That would be lukewarm, and God clearly hates lukewarm. "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Reveltaion 3:16 (NIV84). For the longest time I have believed I was a "hot" Christian. I thought I was a prime example of what a Christian life should look like. Boy, was I wrong! I am so glad that I have chosen to seek God's face on this, because there is an amazing joy and peace and contentment that comes with TRULY surrendering your life over to Christ (i.e., not saying the words you would respond with, but saying what Christ would respond with. Not treating someone like you would treat them, but treating them like Christ would treat them. Not gossiping like you want to, but keeping your mouth shut and changing the subject to something that is not putting others down. Etc.). There is no other feeling like it in the world. I believe every human being was created by God, as the Bible tells us, and we were BORN to live a live in fellowship with Him. And until we start living that way, we find a void and emptiness in our lives (although, I firmly believe that some people have ignored this void in their life for so long and so passionately that they barely are able to detect it). When we finally do discover what we were created for, it is so amazing I almost can't even describe it.
My heart breaks for people who lived like I did (and still do at times, because I am FAR from doing anything perfectly). They are searching for happiness. Happiness they search for in THINGS or PEOPLE. True happiness and joy cannot be found in anything other than CHRIST JESUS! That is a promise I can proclaim boldly. I thought I was happy before. But I now know that that I wasn't.
My heart's desire is to see myself, and the entire church body (across the globe, as the church is not confined to a building or evening a country) COMPLETELY and FULLY surrender EVERYTHING in our lives and selves to Christ! When I realize the magnitude of God, and who He is, and then realize the magnitude of worshiping Him like we are designed to, I realize I was doing it all wrong. When I stopped trying to "be" a Christian, and just started LOVING GOD, it all starting falling into place. There is no love like the LOVE of GOD. Because God is LOVE. He, Himself, IS love. So to feel Him, is like no other feeling.
Really think about if your life has the fruit of someone who follows Christ.
Really think about if your life has the fruit of someone who follows Christ.
John 15:1-27 ESV
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Take the time, right now, to truly think about the fact that we cannot spend eternity, our life after death, with Him without realizing that we are sinners. Sin cannot be in His presence. And yes, Hell is a real place where sin resides. We have to ask Jesus to wipe those sins from our lives in order to be in God's presence for eternity. Have FAITH that God is who He says He is - that Jesus is God and man. That Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb for our sins. He was and is perfect, without blemish. His blood covered our sins for all time. Believe that. Know that you need HIM. And give up your LIFE to follow Him.
