There are a select few who relish the thought of exploring uncharted territory. These are trailblazers, adventurers, some even dubbed adrenaline junkies. The thought of completely changing the path of their lives is exhilarating. To most of us change is intriguing on some level at least and terrifying at most. The things around us which are routine bring us comfort and feel like a warm fuzzy blanket of familiarity. We are creatures of habit which can be healthy. It can lead to a life that is well-grounded and organized. There also is an aspect to the Christian life to which change is imperative.
When we answer the call on our lives to become children of God, it must produce change. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. As the church has moved toward the tolerant, "lets-not-make anyone-feel-uncomfortable, God-meets-us-where-we-are" end of the spectrum, we lose the driving force that compels us to change and become more like Christ. God absolutely meets us where we are. We have to change or fix nothing in order to receive salvation from Him. After that meeting with Christ takes place however, God demands that we not STAY where we are. The church has left behind the voice that says, drop those chains of bondage to sin and climb up out of enslavement. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1. This is not a suggestion, it is a command. The blood of Christ has released us from the chains that entangle us. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1. We are not in chains anymore, we have been freed! But we are living our lives dragging around our chains like Jacob Marley! They have no power over us, yet we hold on to them like Linus' security blanket.
They are old, stinking, vile, repugnant, patterns we have formed that must be changed in order to draw closer to Christ. We have a framework of how we live our lives. Trained musicians' hands moves across their instrument after months and years of practice, they strike notes often by instinct without thought of each individual note. It is habitual. We have disharmony with the notes we play in our lives. There are habits of hitting sinful, sour notes that cause discord. It takes practice to bring about the transforming change we so desperately need. We must change our thoughts and then our actions, then become the melodious sonnet that reflects Christ to others. But this is very scary.
I look around and wonder what will happen when we make those radical changes to our lives, when we decide to eliminate things in our lives that are self indulgent and for the sole purpose of our amusement. What happens when we purposefully decide to not allow images into our home or our mind, whether from TV or movies or our computer, that are not glorifying to God? What if we realize that if we don't want our children watching something it is not ok for us as adults either? Is it because we are already familiar with debauchery, adultery, profanity, and fornication? Is it because we are already corrupted with those images and therefore we choose to carry that chain around with us instead of laying it down? "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8. What will happen when we carve out time for study and intimacy with Christ? Will we lose our children if we decide that they will not date? Will they rebel if we hold fast to a true yet unconventional lifestyle of devotion to Christ? Should fear of rebellion be reason enough to participate in traditional practices that are even condoned by the church yet go against scripture?
What if it just takes me to say, I will not live half heartedly for Christ anymore. I will risk rebellion of my children to maintain the standard of devotion of which Christ deserves. How many Christians are just waiting for someone to lead the way, be the trailblazer, back to the cross? How many are willing to be labeled weird or fanatical even by our church friends? The whole body of Christ may be waiting for me, or you, to stand up and say, I will make the change, I will not carry these chains any longer. Is that what it will take to set a crusade in motion? These changes can only come about by laying down the warm and fuzzy yet vile and rancid habits in our lives. It could cost friendships and even relationships with family members. Others are often even uncomfortable with radical changes in our lives. Is it worth it to be true to God's word? We could end up leading a holy war. Yes, Christ can accomplish that in us, if we are willing.
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