Be the Example

Be the Example

Christianity shouldn’t be watered-down and the lines shouldn’t be blurred. We are called to stand steadfast in the faith. This doesn’t mean we are perfect or that we will ever be sinless. 

What it means is that we shouldn’t let the devil justify our actions and we shouldn’t be soft in our stand with Christ.  As believers, we should represent Jesus Christ in our daily living. It’s part of our testimony. Even though I don’t really care for that word - it’s more of where we came from, how we got here and where we are - in Christ.  It is not about us, it’s about Him.

We will fall, trip stumble, and sometimes this will happen many many times in our lives. Getting up and continuing is the most important part. 

Pursuing God and living a Christ-centered life should be the most important thing in our lives. Not making excuses, providing stumbling blocks for our brothers and sisters in Christ or justifying things we know are wrong. 

I’m going to lose a lot of people here, but my convictions are strong. I rely on the Bible and my relationship with God to guide me and my family - not religion and friendships.  I rely on the Holy Spirit to produce good and to keep me from sin as much as possible in my flawed life.

Religion and Friendships are important - just not the most important things.

The Bible is my field guide, my instruction manual and my light. I use it the best I can to guide my way and I don’t always do it the best way, the right way or someone else’s way. I fail. I fail a lot

A while ago I made a comment about a famous artist who was rapping/singing about Jesus with a bottle of liquor in the picture. I don’t agree with this and I don’t agree with alcohol being mixed with worship and I never will be. 

The Bible speaks about being sober-minded, being a stumbling block to your brother or sister and what being profane means - just to name a few. This famous artist has mixed profanity with preaching and has connected himself with non-believers financially. Others may justify this, just not me. 

The Bible should be used to justify and defend your actions. It should be used to guide your life. It shouldn’t be stretched or bent. It should be applied not interpreted.

I’m not a biblical scholar or a theological student and will never profess to be. I have a set of standards, values and principles that are based on the Bible and I try hard to live by these every day. I’m definitely not a success story and I definitely screw up.

I also have is a testimony of turning my life over to Jesus Christ and believing on Him. I spent a lifetime of living a life far from Christ.   I was a heathen who did inexcusable things who was saved and forgiven by God’s mercy and grace.  

I will not allow the spilled blood of Jesus Christ to be wasted by watered down Biblical values. People have died for the Bible that we profess to live by to defend the God we claim to serve.

If you choose to drink alcohol, that’s your choice. I just won’t condone or accept that alcohol should be consumed in conjunction with the worship or praise of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  As Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ and we set the example.

If you choose to listen to worldly music, condone improper behavior and attire, that is also up to you - just remember, we set the example.

If you choose to use vulgar language, stare at women when no one is looking or make improper comments - just remember, we set the example.

I am not passing judgement here. I am making a choice. I am choosing not to weaken my testimony by having followers or following those people who profess to be Christians who show pictures of alcohol, drugs, use profanity, show women in immodest apparel or sexual content and then add a Bible verse.  If the Bible speaks against it I won’t support it. 

I believe in finding those who are lost and sharing the Gospel with them wherever they are and whoever they are with. This is not an us against them statement.

Like I said, I’m not perfect. Almost everything I stand against, I have done and mostly to excess. I lived a hard life and can’t erase my past, nor would I want to. I’m also not the worst case. I feel blessed.

What I do have is a testimony of giving my life over to a life of service to God, to live my life according to the principles and values taught by Jesus Christ and to share the gospel with everyone I can.

So, for me, I want to be the example, not the excuse. I don’t condone behavior outside of the Bible. I won’t water down what the Bible teaches so I can get away with someone I’m trying to justify, and neither should you.

Be the example for others to want to follow - because Christ is the example for us. Not because it makes you feel better.

1 Peter 5:8-11

2 Corinthians 6:17