How to Live Jesus in a Non-Jesus World
Do you ever feel torn between a Pinterest world where everything is beautiful, easily crafted, and happy, and the ugly world where family dysfunctions, Christian slamming, and negative news reports are thrust upon you?I'll choose the Pinterest world any day. Wouldn't you?Just trying to walk in the midst of our secular culture and reflect Jesus is hard.Especially when my family and I don't mirror the perfect Christian life... if there is such a thing as perfect.I ache for my kids and grandkids navigating a world I never envisioned when Tom and I started our family.Will they make it? What if they are seduced by the dark side? Might they become the frog in the slowly boiling kettle of water that embraces abnormal as normal?Will the ones I love be caught in what the Bible calls The Great Falling Away that happens right before the return of Christ?Not if I can help it!
How to live Jesus in a non-Jesus world
Jesus is your source for living life.Not the daily news, Pinterest, other people's opinions of you, or your personal circumstances, be they good or bad.Only Jesus.And only Jesus can keep the ones you love from falling away from the faith (see Jude 24).Three things happen to those around you when life is consistently lived with Jesus as your source:
1. Your family and friends watch you interact with a hurting world in a healing manner.
Did you notice how much that sounds like the life Jesus lived in the midst of a very secular Roman society?And that's the point—people need to see Jesus IN you doing life, not you trying to navigate life in your own wisdom.Richard Stearns does a great job of explaining this in his short article titled Living as an Authentic Christian in a Non-Christian World. Check it out.
2. Because your humanity is still being recreated into the likeness of Jesus, your family and friends have a front row seat to watch the transformation happen.
They watch how you talk, how you respond to negative situations, and especially how you respond to them and their living of life.That last part is the most crucial—how you respond to them and their living of life. This is where your kids and grandkids gage your authenticity and the reality of Christ in you.How do you handle their mistakes, their messed up thinking, or even their values that might be very contrary to yours?Let them see your mistakes, sins, and other garbage along with the process of introspection, repentance, and forgiveness that must follow such unholy actions.This alone is huge in living your spiritual legacy before them.
3. Once you learn to hear God's voice and follow His lead, people notice.
Now the "noticing" part of this has different reactions.Even though Jesus only did the things He saw His Father doing, some people didn't always respond well to it. In fact, this is what got Him killed. (Something you should consider when following Christ.)Others responded to the things Jesus did and said by drawing nearer to Him, and the result changed their lives forever.Be ready for either response when your family and friends notice that you really do hear from God and obey Him.And pray that they're part of the group that chooses to draw close to Jesus.
4. Change happens when you pray
Pray the promises given in Jude 24 and Titus 2:11-12 for your kids and grandkids. Compile a notebook of specific Scripture promises highlighted by the Holy Spirit in your heart.
Remember...
The Lord will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8).
Now... enjoy Pinterest, and live Jesus in your non-Jesus world.The future of your family depends on it.Love you. Really. :-)SusanThoughts? Comments? Questions?