Marked-by-Shogun. Welcome to HIS Movement: Are we who we say we are? →
I had a dream. I was at the pool with some of my the kids that I am a leader for at my youth group OMNI. But, they didn’t know how to swim. And me being me, I tried to teach them as best as I could. It reminded me how a lot of these kids don’t know what it means to live in Christ (that doesn’t mean I know what it means to live in Christ; but I have to teach as best as I can. For example, I took swimming courses during summer camp for about 4 years, and I have almost enough experience to become a lifeguard had I continued to do so, but that’s beside the point.) The same applies to the lifestyle that we live. What does it mean to live in Christ. Well, Jesus called us to live in the light.
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin”. (NIV)
Well, what does that mean? Paul tells us in romans to not conform to the ways of this world.
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
I see a lot of people who profess to be Christians, yet still walk in the world. That isn’t what we are called to do, or who we are called to be. I’m not trying to hate, but this is an observation that I noticed. Of course I fail, and I mess up, but there has got to be a fine line that is drawn. I notice “Christians” cursing and going against people, even against other people at the youth groupProverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (NIV)
Our words have the power to speak life or death to each other. We are called to lift each other up, not bring others down. Of course, I mess this up. Especially with my brother, whenever him or I make a mistake, we tend to put salt on the wounds, and we both know the feeling. It sucks. Also cursing, to me is tasteless, and there are so many other words that you can express your anger, your fear, your happiness. I used to curse like it whitened my teeth. But I thought about this. When you curse, you aren’t just cursing to someone. Everyone around you sees and hears you curse. There isn’t anything good that comes from it. And if it isn’t good, then why have it have all?Matthew 7:18 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (NIV)
Even if we profess to be “Christians”, are we living it? You can quote the bible 1000 times, but if you are not living it, then it’s useless. In no way, am I hating on anyone, nor am I convicting anyone. But if you feel convicted, then God Bless you. Pass on this message. We, as the light of the world, need to LIVE as the light of the world. Are We Who We Say We Are?With love,
Mark G (Maaku-baka)
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