Why not?

It’s almost Christmas but, this is not really a Christmas note.  I want to address the question, “Why don’t we always do what everyone else does?”  (You might want to consider these words as you celebrate the holidays with friends and coworkers.)  More basically, is our behavior different than the behavior of those who don’t claim a relationship with God through Christ?  Are we different?  Why is it that some things just don’t seem “right” for us to do even though it seems ok for most everybody else?

The bottom line is this:  Because of our relationship with our Creator, through Jesus Christ, we have chosen a different path than most.  We are called to live at a different level… above the level that most of the world lives.  The scripture that immediately comes to mind is the one found in Philippians 4:8 that says, “…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise…”  (NLT).  And, if we are to THINK in a manner that is honorable and excellent, don’t you think we are to LIVE in a way that is honorable and excellent?  That’s why I understand that we can’t (in all good conscience) live in a way, and participate in things, that are lower than the standards God has placed before us.  We are called to live above the base existence of humanity.

So, when you are tempted to just join in with your buddies, and do what everybody else is doing, ask yourself this question… “Am I LIVING in a way that is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable?”  Am I allowing the love of Jesus to shine through my words and my actions?  Or, are we asking God (the Holy Spirit) to give us a break and stay away from us until we’ve done the things that we think need to do to be accepted… by the world?

The best life is one lived without regrets.  Live life to the fullest… in the way God has prescribed!  Be blessed and be safe during this wonderful Holiday Season.

JC