A Reason to Rise

In my first blog, I wrote about why we should be a generation to rise up for Christ. I discussed Philippians 1: 27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ".

A challenge such as this from Paul, who is one of the greatest missionaries and defenders of the faith ever, should be enough to motivate the church to rise up. But, as we all know, the church is made up of just people, which are you and me. We're just everyday people. Yes, we love God, but we live in a world that constantly launches distractions at us. Our faith, though strong, is still contained inside a human body that is no more than weak flesh. These distractions have a way of pulling us away from our walk with Christ. Sometimes, they jerk us away in one massive blow, like the news of a loved one who just got diagnosed with a terminal illness. And, at other times, these distractions can just chip away at our walk with God, one baby step and one minor tug at a time. But collectively, this mirage of small attacks will gradually pull someone out of their walk just as drastically as a massive blow. You see, we are just human.

But the excuse that "we are just human" has really begun to annoy me. Yes, we are just human, but we serve the one and only God. The God that made the universe. It is the same God that sent His only Son to show us how to live, to teach us the Word, to demonstrate what true love really is. It is the same God that let us hang His only Son on a cross to die. And, it is the same God that watched His one and only Son rise up out of a grave because death itself could not hold Him down. You see, it is the same God that created all things, even death itself. And, the creation cannot rule the Creator.

So, let's not ever say that "we are just human". The God that I just wrote about actually lives inside of us that are saved. (For those of you that are not "saved" and do not know what it means, please read the next blog that I am writing called "Being Saved". I hope to have it out this week.) Please know that His Spirit guides, comforts, and watches over us. We are not just human. We are children of the King. We are adopted of God. We are co-heirs with Christ. We are more than just conquerers. (Read through the book of Romans. That will encourage you!)

So, let's drop the excuses. Let's quit waiting for another song to inspire us, for another sermon to motivate us, for another life situation to touch us. Let's quit waiting for God to send us some miraculous sign. Let's quit praying for God to send us His plan for our life in an email, text message, or posting on our Facebook account. Church...people of God...everyday folks that just love the Lord...whoever you are, wherever you are...let's quit being selfish brats. Let's rise up and be who we are. We are the children of THE God. We are His, so let's act like it. Let's rise up and claim our identity and BE our FATHER'S children. It is time us to join the family business and do our part (and we all have a part). The Kingdom of God is ours. We belong to God. Let's rise and live it.