Vibrant Christianity demands us as youths, young adults and adults to live a life of no bargains, no excuses, no staggering in Him. As a young person, it is so important to establish these convictions and purpose in our hearts - to deliberately refuse the world and its influences. Because as an adult, you will be plaqued with the very same challenges and more.
Jim Berg defines worldliness succintly and perceptively:
Worldliness - Taking your cue from the world as to what is important in your life.
Interestingly, it takes on subtle permutations as one grows older. Young person, if you are still struggling with entertainment, internet, movies and music...it just gets more and more profound as you grow older. Running after the 'latest' = taking our cues from the world.
During this period of time in my life, I have come to know that we need an unwavering faith in God's word and a thorough understanding of Christ's sufficiency alone. Lest you be tossed to and fro like a ship in troubled waters. As an adult, worldliness should no longer be confined to entertainment, hopefully. But sadly, many families still struggle with it. It filters to your choice of mate, how you want to carry out your wedding, how you would start your family, your type of house, and the furniture you choose to place in your house as well as how to raise your family. But somehow, when adults venture into this area, they never see it as worldliness but ...oh, how much it is related.
Think about it, what determines your choices for:
- A soulmate- God or people who think you are suitable for each other, or some compatibility survey?
- Wedding - from the choice of gown, to music, to what is included in a service and dinner - God or tradition or looking cool?
- House - what is the focus of your Christian home- God or that huge plasma tv or the playstation?
- Pregnancy - God and His word or old wives superstitions?
- Child Rearing - God or Self Help books and courses?
'Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile God....' Living an uncompromising life in Christ deals with all aspects of our everyday life - whatever we eat, or drink or whatsoever we do. It is easy to focus on the fires and lions that Daniel faced. But it was his persistent commitment to honor the Lord in the everyday things that made him a vibrant and living hero in the faith. Every choice we make is a deliberate statement about our pledge of allegiance to God. As more and more of my peers move from teenagehood to adulthood, I pray that we do not forget or lose our youthful determined resolution to honor Christ and all aspects of our life.
Dear Christian, from whence do you take your cues from? God or the world?
