God's People

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     Humans are funny creatures.  We are always striving for acceptance.  To do that, we want to dress like everyone around us. We want our homes to be decorated to look like the decorating shows. We compare everything about us to our neighbor or social media posts.  We want to "fit in." We want our kids to "fit in."  This is natural.

    At the same time, we struggle to find someway to "stand out."  What is that one thing that makes us different?  Maybe it is a unique sense of style.  Maybe it's a quirky personality. Perhaps you have an unique sense of humor.  We find that thing and wear it with pride.  Our culture applauds this constant tug of war between "fitting in" and "standing out."  No wonder our teens are more confused than ever.  

    Being intentional about our faith means we look at every area of our life and ask ourselves, "Am I representing Jesus through this?"  This should prevail over every other question as we make each minute decision of our lives. If we can answer yes, than we should proceed with confidence and boldness.  If not, we need to turn away immediately.

    Don't get me wrong, Jesus is not legalistic.  He does not dictate the exact length of our hair or color of our car.  That was the law. The law dictated the exact fiber of garments and how almost every moment of an Israelite's day was lived out.  (Side note: there is beautiful gospel imagery in the law!   God had a reason for those laws!  He did not give them randomly or without purpose.) Today, we have much freedom -- to live out the gospel of Jesus.   

    Yes, we live under grace. We have freedom from the law.  However, we are still called to be different.  

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 

Phil 2:15

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

I Peter 2:9

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Romans 12:2

    We should be easily identified as a Child of God.  Does the world see Jesus in us?  Not only in our actions, but in all of our decisions?  Jesus is interested in every aspect of our lives and will guide us if we allow Him.  Our dress, our homes, our entertainment, our speech, our reading, our work:  does the world see Jesus in each of these things when they look at us?  His choices may mean we look a little different or talk a little differently from those around us.  Are we willing to make that level of commitment to the One who sacrificed everything to give us life?  Why not make Him the one area of our life that stands out? 

Our lives should reflect Jesus. 

"You may be the only Bible some person every reads."  William J. Toms

💓 Heather Sparks💓

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