A CONVICTION TO BE RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD AND SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST WHEREVER WE GO

It has really struck me lately about just how radically different Jesus calls us to be in comparison to the message from the world we live in. We are CALLED to be different. Different in the way we think and perceive things and especially in the way we act ! The Apostle Paul spends a great deal of time in his letter to the Romans describing in detail just how radical we must be in having a heart Focused On Jesus vs. the world. Our behaviors in many ways must be just the opposite of our human nature ! Our pastor at Illuminate Community Church in Scottsdale spoke today regarding this idea, and it was so very profound ! The world has all these little ideas on just exactly how we should be doing things, and in most cases, they seem to be diametrically opposed to the Word Of God and His Truth. In fact, A good friend and I were discussing the very concept of TRUTH, and the challenge it is to define it today. Is it true that “Truth Is What I Say It Is ?” ….and if you don’t agree, then you just don’t understand truth. This viewpoint gains traction in the world for a variety of reasons, but I would postulate that it mainly finds a voice because we as humans are quite ready to place “Self” above everything else. Self wisdom, self reliance, self enlightenment. The list goes on and on. As Christians, there is such a massive focus on Salvation that we often forget “What comes next and where do we go from here?” I believe it as at this point that we enter the exact point of where Jesus was trying to take His Disciples. “Are you going to go on living your lives as you always have, or are you going to be ‘Convicted’ to follow Me, and make the radical change this will move you forward ? ” Entering the narrow gate and path of Christ, where we strive to SHINE HIS LIGHT upon others everywhere we go. Will we be able to SEE HIS TRUTH AND ABIDE IN HIM WHILE HE ALSO ABIDES IN US ? Or, will we be “complacent” to be the same as we have always been ! I think that Jesus made and makes it perfectly clear exactly what His Heart holds for us in regard to our Commitment to Him, and it absolutely is Radically Different from the world and also religious dogma.

I APPEAL TO YOU THEREFORE, BROTHERS, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, TO PRESENT YOUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR SPIRITUAL WORSHIP. DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT. FOR BY THE GRACE GIVEN TO ME I SAY TO EVERYONE AMONG YOU NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK, BUT TO THINK WITH SOBER JUDGEMENT, EACH ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF FAITH THAT GOD HAS ASSIGNED. Romans 12:1-21

BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCE OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. 1 Peter 2:9

“ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE. FOR THE GATE IS WIDE AND THE WAY IS EASY THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION, AND THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT ARE MANY. FOR THE GATE IS NARROW AND THE WAY IS HARD THAT LEADS TO LIFE, AND THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW. Matthew 7:13-14

YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD ABIDE, SO THAT WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE MAY GIVE IT TO YOU. John 15:16

It seems pretty clear that God is seeking those who would reside in His Kingdom to be “Convicted” to a different path and a different purpose than the one that resides in “self focus or worldly focus” ! He chose us for a different life and a different purpose…HIS PURPOSE. TO SHINE HIS LIGHT:) Can we be radically different, or are we TOO COMFORTABLE sitting on “the bench” and not truly “getting in the game ?” Looking around us today, we can certainly see the results of a worldly view vs. a Biblical View ! We find ourselves in the category of Continually Complaining and despairing about where things are headed while we sit on our proverbial “arses” and do Nothing ! Our younger generations are fed lies and convinced that Academia has all the right answers. Many of our churches and church leaders help advance these causes by remaining silent or even embracing these cultural dogmas out of fear of disapproval or being seen as “Unloving”. In His Word, God lays things out in Solid Truth to help us Understand Him and Build A Foundation for our Identity and Life IN HIM ! The simple catch is , WE HAVE TO READ HIS WORD ! The sheer number of people who identify as “Christian” and never spend time in the Bible is staggering !!! Many people can’t even proclaim the bare minimums of Who Jesus Is, and What He Said, let alone How He Lived. He came to Save Us from sin and change the world and yet many hardly give him the time of day. We need to ask ourselves why we can find time to waste and yet we can’t find time to spend with the person who offers us Total Love, Unearned Grace, and Amazing Hope and Peace. Perhaps most amazing is how we can take for granted JUST HOW MUCH JESUS SUFFERED FOR US AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US and yet continue in our same old sinful lifestyle. Isn’t it time to change things up ?

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED, NOR STANDS IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITS IN THE SEAT OF SCOFFERS; BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND ON HIS LAW HE MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT. Psalm 1:1-2

THIS IS THE MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD FROM HIM AND PROCLAIM TO YOU, THAT GOD IS LIGHT, AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL. 1 John 1:5

FOR AT ONE TIME YOU WERE DARKNESS, BUT NOW YOU ARE LIGHT IN THE LORD. WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT, (FOR THE FRUIT OF LIFE IS FOUND IN ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT AND TRUE), AND TRY TO DISCERN WHAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD. TAKE NO PART IN THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS, BUT INSTEAD EXPOSE THEM. FOR IT IS SHAMEFUL TO EVEN SPEAK OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO IN SECRET…Ephesians 5: 8-14

The last time I looked, our world is absolutely reeling from all the darkness and unfruitful works that continually expose themselves seemingly everywhere. There is a loud cry for Truth, Common Sense, and Righteous Actions to address these concerns that rings out almost constantly. Is anyone going to answer these cries with Hope and Solutions ? Can we as Christians move out of our complacency and inaction to truly make a difference and help God’s Light Shine ? Each and every relationship with God starts with One Person…Us ! Me and You ! Each of us has an individual journey in our Faith that will determine just how effective we can be in our roles in God’s Kingdom. We are not heading to the clouds on a vacation to simply hang out and exist. Scripture tells us that we are priests and we will all reign by the side of our King, Jesus Christ. It is also clear that our life is not a waiting game that lets us coast until we meet up with our Eternal Life. Jesus made it clear…Behold, The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Alive And With Us Right Now. WE can be accomplishing so much of God’s Purpose each and every day RIGHT NOW ! Are we, you and me, willing to embrace the character and ways of Jesus that the world may be transformed into a place of LIGHT ? I know in my heart that I need to be that light every day. Jesus has changed my heart, and I am so ready for the path and purpose that awaits me. THE TIME FOR US TO LEAD AND SHINE IS NOW :) LIGHT UP/JAA

ARISE, SHINE, FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAS RISEN UPON YOU. Isaiah 60:1