My question for people reading this message is, do you wish to be saved? If so, then do you know what it means to follow Jesus and have Him become Your personal Savior? Many people think that all it means is to go to church, read the Bible, and pray, but did you not know that it is a lifestyle change as well? It sure is, for if you do not wish to walk worthy for God now, then you will not want to in heaven, and therefore, won’t be allowed there. So let us learn today what a true Christian life is like. Forget what you thought a Christian was before but allow Paul teach you the meaning of a Christian. He said, 1“be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:1-5) So our walk is different now. We may have looked at pornography before, but now it is over and done with for Christ. We may have had sex outside of marriage, but this was handed over to Jesus in baptism. The may have cussed and took God’s name in vain, but this has also been changed. We no longer covet what other people have, but are content with the things God gives us. No person or thing is lifted up, but God alone. We allow God’s presence to move and shape our lives through constant prayer and reading of the Bible. We then know how to live differently from the world.
What you’ve just been taught is not commonly accepted, even though this is the life of a true Christian. Therefore, the world we live in is full of fake Christians. People that say they believe in Jesus, but really you cannot tell them apart from a non-believer in how they act. And why is this? It is because many people are not willing to make changes when it comes to their friends. They continue hanging out with the wrong people, who are bad influences on them. Therefore, they never fully become what a Christian should be like. To this point, Paul said, 1“let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (Ephesians 5:6-12) Now please understand that we may have to pick new friends after we accept Christ. Sure, we can witness to our old friends, but if they do not want any part of it, then leave them behind. Therefore, the temptation you had before to do drugs, have elicit sex, look at porn, party and drink, will not be an issue. Paul said, 1“be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) We are to be separate from evil people and the ways of this world. We can still be a light unto others around us, but we are no longer partakers in their evil deeds. We have found joy in the Lord now, for He is our strength and our strong tower.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for this day and every day that I have breath. It is a pleasure to wake up and know that there is a new day to serve You. It brings me great joy just to follow You and no longer be pained because of my old lifestyle. Thank You for hearing my cries and helping me turn from my sins and follow You. It was sure worth it. I would not want to go back to my old way of living for any amount of money in this world. This new life is meaningful and I feel so much love and peace now. My life has been amazing, since my day of baptism. You have filled me up with the Holy Spirit, the day I came out of the water, and now Your fire radiates out of my whole being. My only desire now is to be a light unto the world. Not to experience the pleasures of the flesh, but to experience the pleasures of the Holy Spirit. There is joy in this world and it is found in You. Everything else is only for a time and space and often has consequences with it, but Your joy is eternal and brings along with it a clean conscience. It is much different than feeling pleasures in the moment, but then being wracked with guilt afterward. What You offer us has no pain involved with it. If there are tears, it is tears of joy and longsuffering. One thing I know is that sickness still comes our way, but having Your presence near makes it easier to endure. I know that this life is a vapor and will end sooner than we know it. Therefore, I see each day as the day of Your return or my last day to serve You. So I go about my day as if it is my last. I will not leave this earth, having fallen back into sin and death, but will continue to serve You valiantly. I only wish to love You and my neighbor. If people are blessed, I am happy. If people come to You and are helped in any way, then I am well pleased. I love You more than anything the world offers. All I desire is to be with You, Lord Jesus, now and forever. One day, I will run to You when this life is over. I will run into Your arms, dear Lord, and tell You how much I love You, praise you, and adore You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
We all should live a very simple life because we are Christian and should stay away from lies and move forward to help each other
Our way of life should be such that if we worship our God every day, then God will bless me.