The Real Deal
Because the Lord is unchanging, your commitment must be unwavering. The surefire ways to hold steady when everything shifts are to commit to authenticity in following Christ and have nothing to do with the fakers.
“Loving God more than anyone or anything else is the very foundation of being a disciple. If you want to live your Christian life to its fullest, then love Jesus more than anyone or anything else.”
--Greg Laurie
(Start! to Follow: How to Be a Successful Follower of Jesus Christ)
The seasons moved into fall last week, but our leaves have not yet turned into the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges here in Virginia, where Carmen and I live. What is your favorite time of year? It is no shock we each prefer different seasons and for different reasons. Some people move to an area that offers up their preferred weather all or most of the year. That is great if you could do it. Whether you relocate to your comfort climate or roll with the changing seasons, in life’s experiences, two things are guaranteed – Life changes; God does not.
Because the Lord is unchanging, your commitment must be unwavering. The surefire ways to hold steady when everything shifts are to commit to authenticity in following Christ and have nothing to do with the fakers.
Life changes;
God does not.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV, emphasis mine)
How tragic and terrifying – “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Paul is talking about the church here, and he tells Timothy to stay away from people who do not have a sincere, honest, authentic relationship with Jesus. They may come to church and even volunteer and serve, but some know more about this world than they do about Jesus. I am telling you – you are supposed to consecrate yourself, set your life apart, be peculiar, and visibly different from the type described in Paul’s letter to Timothy.
Consecrate yourself,
Set your life apart,
Be peculiar.
No matter what triumph or tragedy is parading through your week, be open and obedient to God. The armor of God is all-weather gear, perfect for any climate, protecting your convictions and choices when the world is spinning out. When conditions send a tornado of the unexpected through your backyard, you are frozen in fear, or feel like you’re stroking out from the heat of transformation, steady your feet.
Are you the real deal?
