Make a Change!

The following is inspired by Francis Chan’s sermon entitled, “When God Doesn’t Listen.” His exact wording is placed in quotation marks.

“Either give up Christ or give up your sin… you can’t have both.” (Chan was talking in the context of repetitive sin-problems, as we know it is impossible to completely totally forever eliminate sin this side of heaven)

When you sin, as sin is a part of everyday life, repent and turn away from it. Be determined to not be had by it again. If you look that sin in the face, and find you’re having a hard time leaving it behind, realize that not moving past it comes at a cost - and that cost doesn't just affect you. Do you realize what you’re doing to God’s reputation, and how you might be leading fellow brothers and sisters into sin? Others might see you committing a specific sin, and be led into thinking that such a repetitive action is OK in God’s sight.

You MUST close the door on this repetitive sin habit, and start with His strength and help to strive to purge the sin from your life… minute by minute, action by action, thought by thought. Be careful of your reputation and who you claim to be representing. If you walk around claiming to follow Jesus, yet you struggle with the same sins over and over again, a heart check is in tune…. We MUST become aware of how we are representing Christ’s name, to our brothers and sisters in Him, but ALSO to the world around us!

Our sin doesn’t just hurt God and burn us… it mis-leads our community (those observing your sin, and their reaction when they see your non-repentant heart), the world around us (when they hear you calling yourself a Christian, but see you acting just like they do, in a lifestyle CHARACTERIZED with sinful habits and actions), and the church (as you are not actively contributing to the body of Christ with actions that please God or words that build others up; rather your actions REALLY ARE leading people astray!).

Take a moment to EXAMINE yoiur life, and look at your lifestyle from the eyes of those around you, and realize who your life impacts. Do your choices, (whether people see them, hear them, or not), act as harmful and painful stumbling blocks for the believer, and an inconsistent testimony of the God of Heaven to the unbeliever? Check it out yo! Make changes in your life!!!!

This really is SO important for you to do! I hope you understand how much your sinful thoughts and actions, minute to minute, not just affect and kill you, but affect and kill everyone around you. Stop rationalizing your everyday sins… give them up, repent, give them over to God, and turn in a new direction.

Its time to wake up and take a stand towards a new minute, a new hour, a new day, and a refreshed lifestyle that SCREAMS Jesus Christ to the world around you!