Devoted

Why do Christians find it so hard to be 100% devoted to Christ? Why do members of God’s family find it difficult to act like they are a child of God all of the time?

We see it every day whether we are at work, church, or just out and about in the community. We run into people that are (or proclaim to be) Christians doing things that we know they should not be doing.

So, why it is so hard for Christians to act like children of God when they are outside of the church building? Christians find it difficult to throw away the old man and put on the new man once they become a member of God’s family.

We are to be Christ-like all of the time, not just while we are at worship or while we are around a group of Christian friends. We do not need to partake in social drinking when we happen to be around someone who has a drink. If we go to a sporting event, we don’t have to have a beer just because we are in an atmosphere that promotes the consumption of alcohol.

I have come a long way in the past 11 years. Yes, I was the one who thought it was okay to go out and have a drink. Even as a Christian who faithfully attended every service, I would still do this. I was the one who was acting like a Christian on Sunday morning but then the rest of the week, I was not being a true follower of Christ.

By now you are thinking, so what is the big deal with social drinking? Let me just be straightforward with you here; it is unbiblical. One simple way to prove that it is unscriptural is by letting quoting a couple of scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”.
• Philippians 2: 4-5 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”.
• 1 John 2:6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

So, would Christ have a beer at the Titans game on Sunday? Would Jesus put himself in situations that could cause himself or others to stumble and fall further away from Christ?

The answer is simple… NO!

So if Jesus would not do these different types of acts, and we are to Christ-like, then it would be unbiblical to do these acts. Jesus was the same all of the time. He never put on a mask and pretended to be another type of person just because of the group he was around.

The best part of the entire situation is that God is a forgiving God. Just as He has forgiven me for my past events that I should not have been a part of, He will forgive yours too. If you are struggling with a habit that has caused you to stumble or has the potential to cause others to stumble, repent! God is waiting for you. He loves you and wants you to be with him in Heaven for eternity!

God is Good.