Paul talks alot about the sin nature that we are born into because of Adam's sin. (See Ephesians 2:1-5, Romans7 and 8, Galatians 5). This is because Paul battled it everyday just like we do, yet we found through God how to handle it, right? At the heart of our being, we are constantly fighting against that "nature," a nature which tells us certain things are ok, it tells us that we can do some things and repent later, it tells us that we won't get caught. The enemy is constantly trying to get us to fail, repeatedly throwing things into our lives as a temptation. God however, is not always sitting there telling us what to do in order to make it right; He challenges us to try, we make mistakes, but He helps us to learn from them. Really, the enemy today is telling us exactly what the serpent told Eve in the garden of Eden, that we can become like God; that we can govern our own life and make our own rules for what is right and what is wrong.
In many ways, everyday, we do just that. We choose what things are ok for our lives; we choose music, movies, television, internet sights, friends, language, etc. We justify things as ok for us, knowing that we are "Christians" and that we have eternal salvation through Christ. "We still get to heaven because we accepted Jesus. Surely God won't punish us that much for the things we did." By choosing those things, we are putting ourselves into a situation that is most easily defined by the word "complacent." Complacent by definition means pleased with ones situation, unbothered or untroubled, often unaware of some potential danger or defect.
Just ponder that definition for a moment............................... When I read that definition myself, knowing it would easily make my point anyways, it broke my heart about my own life. I saw the reality of those words actually written down and thought: Have we gotten so complacent as to allow things into our lives; that we are so comfortable, unaware that danger could be looming just around the corner.
Don't get complacent confused with content. There is a difference. Content means satisfied with what one has, not wanting more or anything else.
As i see it, each week I apparently hear students who want more of God, striving to seek Him more in worship, in study of the Word, in prayer, you get the point. If you didn't want to grow anymore as a Christian and felt that you were at a point where God was completely happy with your life, then you would be content. However, pride set aside, each of us should realize that we are nowhere near where God wants us to be, so we can't be content with our walk. If you are content, you can stop reading this now, because you have no need to grow anymore. You are perfectly happy with where you are at with God. However, if you feel that you want more, read on.
Warning: what you are about to read will challenge your faith. It will stretch some of you to a point you have never reached before, and it will cause you to make some very tough choices about your life.
I left Sunday School yesterday thinking to myself, some of these students call themselves Christians, and I believe that you are, but the point I want to make to you is simply this: sometimes you still don't get it. It's in one ear and out the other. One of your own make a simple plea as to what a Christian's life should look like. The innocence it should have, the ability to shun the world and be strong for God, the strength to look the other way when something "cool" or "wickedly awesome" comes along.
Your tough choices: you must choose Christ if you want your friends to choose Christ. If you want them to experience God for themselves, then you must prove that you are different and that it's worth it to be different. Some of you claim to be different, but iPods, jokes, tv shows, friends, movies, music, and other things would say just the opposite.
I am done talking. I guess just ask God what He really wants from you. Wait, we already know what that is. The better question is this: ask yourself where you want to be with God, and then line yourself up to fit it.
Trust me when i say this: it is worth it to be different.
Have a great day.
P-Mike
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