2 Peter 1:10
My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all seen and heard a lot in the news lately about Lindsay Lohan. I don’t want to pick on this celebrity, because I truly to not know her heart. But from all appearances, she was given some chances to change – to clean up her act, stop partying, and overcome her addictions to alcohol and drugs. But she continued to “stumble and fall.”
So when she was sitting in a courtroom hearing the judge sentence her to sixty days in jail followed by probationary time, she acted as if she was completely baffled at the sentence. I heard her comment, “I’m 23… if I want to party at night with friends, I should be able to do this.” While she may be of legal age to have a drink in public, no one is legally allowed to drive while drinking…which is one of the things with which Lohan is charged.
My point is that we can’t say we are changed and continue to act the same. We can’t acknowledge that we are chosen by God and continue to live as we please, sin when it’s comfortable and fun, and serve our Heavenly Father only when it is convenient. It’s pretty much an all or nothing deal. But when we act like a chosen child of God… when we acknowledge Him and trust Him to guide our steps, we don’t have to worry about consequences for poor actions and choices. I’m not saying we never sin… because we all do… but when we focus on being who God called us to be, there are fewer chances for Satan to trip us up… and when we do fall short, we readily recognize our errors and quickly make an effort to correct them.
Being a Christian is not a free ride. Acknowledging that God has chosen us comes with responsibility to behave accordingly. We must be ready to serve, honor, and obey God. We must set high standards for ourselves in all areas of life. And in return we will be blessed. We can’t be like the Lindsay Lohans of the world… assuming that we can get by on our status and public popularity. Think of the old adage… “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time.” When it comes to God, there is a way to avoid the “crime” and the “time.” How well are you representing your status in Him these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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