Don't Waste Your Life

The things we spend our money on will show where our priorities lie. If we ask ourselves, "What's wrong with this vacation? or What's wrong with buying these new clothes?" we will be in danger of looking just like the rest of the world. Instead ask, "Would this ____ glorify God? Show others that I value Christ?" If you ever wonder why people never ask you to give a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15) then it's probably because they can't see any different hope in you. If your life looks just like everyone else, yet you claim to be a Christ follower, then do you really believe that the Word of God is true?

We must show the world that we honor Christ above making ourselves comfortable (Luke 14:33). We must show that we want the Glory of God shown in all nations rather than show that we have the best clothes, lifestyle or technology (Matt. 28:18-20). We put our time and effort into wasted pursuits. If we don't live as if Christ is our Lord and our lives are not lived in submission to His will, then what are we doing? Please don't hurt the witness of the church. If you are a Christ follower, don't waste your life on what the world wastes theirs on... TV, money, comforts. If you claim to be in the Spirit but show NO fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22), or you produce "bad fruit" and want to live life for yourself and your pursuits such as partying, making lots of money, getting new "stuff" or simply living against God's Word and Plan (Galatians 5:19-21) then ask yourself if you really are a Christian (Galatians 5:13). We must maintain the purity of Christ's bride, the church (Revelation 21:9).

So with gentleness and humility, we must restore one another out of love and help each other see our faults and blind-spots (Matt. 7:5). The blind-spot of acquiring wealth and success that we as Americans often overlook is a problem and leads to many sins (Luke 6:20,24). We need to see the severity of our sin and remember that Christ died so we do NOT have to live in sin anymore, we are free! (Romans 8:1-4) We should give freely (2 Cor. 9:7) , love fully and glorify God in our actions. We must live like Christ radically changes our lives - because he does if you are in Him. (Romans 8:9-11)

Believe me, I'm the first one to tell you that I have wasted a lot of my life. I wish I hadn't pursued the things I did, but I'm a new creation and there has been a change in me. I'm now striving for and praying for a life that counts. My hope is that you will consider your life and lifestyle, and how it fits in with God's plan.