Christian Living

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Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. {Matthew 16:24}

As I backed into a parking space the other day, I looked at the other car and realized I was totally crooked in the spot. I pulled forward, checked the parking spot lines and put it in reverse. Again I used the car next to me as a guide as I backed up. But something didn't feel right when I stopped....I was crooked again! I pulled forward again, but this time I pulled all the way out of the spot in an attempt to make a fresh start. As I coasted up, my view widened. And ya know what? It turns out I wasn't crooked at all....the other car was so askew in it's space, the back tire was actually over the line. When I took my eyes off that straight line and used the car as a guide, I messed up! What was I thinking? I know people make mistakes so why would I trust what that driver did and go astray from what I know is right.

We all know there's no such thing as a perfect person....or a perfect Christian for that matter. So why do we often take our eyes off Jesus, perfection personified, and allow other people to provide our example for living? We assume because others claim teacher, leader, authority, PARENT or even "Christian" we can follow their lead.

Not so.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. {Matthew 7:13-14}

Jesus said only A FEW find that narrow gate.....Now don't get me wrong, there are some AMAZINGLY wonderful, brilliant, kind and hard-working people out there, but even the most extraordinary people are full of faults, vices and SIN. What's more, even the most devout Christian you meet has room for improvement!

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. {Romans 3:23 NLT}

So don't let anyone, knowingly or unwittingly, lead you astray. Having a successful and fulfilling life requires us to keep our gaze fixed steadily on Christ and NO ONE else - He has ONLY the best intentions for you. If you have a real and solid relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will lead you in the direction He has chosen for you as an individual. He created you to be one of a kind, and His plan for you will be just as unique. If you are following someone else, how can you possibly fulfill your life's calling? I'm NOT saying you can't learn from anyone else or that a mentor is a bad idea. What I AM saying is people are....(deceitful, self-serving, prideful) PEOPLE. You can't always count on the next guy to do the right thing. God will give you the wisdom and discernment necessary for good judgment when you seek Him FIRST!

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. {Psalm 1:1-2 NLT}


** All that said, if you are in a leadership position of ANY kind, you WILL BE held to a higher standard - be sure you are leading your flock through that narrow gate with a clean heart and pure motives! **

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. {James 3:1}

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