Be The New You

Are you living it?

Sunday comes. We open our Closets, put on our White Robes. Pick up our Staff of Righteousness. Head off to Church. We sing Songs. We say "Praise Jesus." "Thank you Lord." after every other sentence. We hear the Message. We Praise and thank the Pastor. {After asking our friend why the Pastor is wearing Sneakers.} "Look at the Pastor? Don't ya think he could have at least Shaved? I mean if he is not going to put on his best Suit and Shave, and wear his best Watch and look like a million bucks, why am I making an effort?" "Oh great Sermon Pastor. It really Touched me."

Then we go home. We open our Closet. Lay down our Staff or Righteousness. Hang up our White Robe. And we get ready to watch the Pre Pre Pre Show. The Game. The Post Show. The Post Post Show. We go to Work On Monday. We talk about the Game. We talk about what Susie is wearing. We stare at what Susie is wearing. We talk about Susie and Dave.

Women? You do the same thing. It may not be about Sports. But you go and do whatever you do. You talk about Susie and Dave. You look at what Dave is wearing. You talk about Clubs, or Ladies Night. You watch other things on TV. You both, Men and Women, worry about bills. Getting ahead at work. Getting a New Car. Whatever Home Projects you may have going. Dealing with the Kids. What's for Dinner?

Then Sunday comes again. We open our Closets, put on our White Robes. Pick up our Staff of Righteousness. Head off to Church. We sing Songs. We say "Praise Jesus." "Thank you Lord." after every other sentence. We hear the Message. We Praise and thank the Pastor. And so the cycle goes.

Then we wonder why? Why is the Church not doing more? Look at the Community. Why is the Church not doing more to help? Why is the Pastor not doing more? Why am I not receiving all these blessing that I'm suppose to be receiving? Why do I not see God answering my Prayers? The question is not, why is the Church not doing more. The question is, what are YOU doing?

Did you know you will find very few explicit Commands, in the Bible, that tell us to Evangelize? Did you know you will find very few explicit Commands, in the Bible, that tell us to take care of the Poor? Things of this sort. However, there are a lot of Verses in the New Testament that instruct us, or urge us, in one way or another, to be Holy?

Seriously. Here are just a few examples.

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." {1 Peter 1:13-16}

Be Holy???

"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." {2 Cor. 5:15}

Wait, huh?

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." {2 Corinthians 7:1}

So what are you saying?

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." {Philippians 2:12}

How???

"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation." {1 Timothy 4: 7-9}

So there is more than going to Church on Sunday, when I can make it, and hearing a Sermon and singing Songs?

In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul writes this.

Ephesians 5:

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

It's hard to tell someone, "God loves you." When they hear you asking God to Damn this or that. It's hard to tell someone, "God can set you free from all bondage in your life." With a Beer in one Hand, and a Cigarette in the other. It's hard to tell someone "There is a better way." When you are living the same as they. It is hard to tell someone, "You can be changed into a new Creature. God Loves You. He wants you to be His Child, and He your Father." When you have not changed.

When someone is facing a choice in life, such as the up coming Elections, they look at the two Choices. Candidate 1 believes ABC. Candidate 2 believe ABC but also D. Hard choice? The Lesser of Two Evils? But if Candidate 2 believes XYZ, then you have a CLEAR choice.

If someone is trying to seek the Truth, and they see Bubba, riding around on the Four Wheeler, smashing Beer Cans on his Head, living recklessly, then they see you on the back of the Four Wheeler smashing Beer Cans on your Head, at the same time as yelling "Jesus loves you?" Do they really have a clear Choice? 

Please do not misunderstand. Striving for Holiness, does not mean you will live Sin Free. As warned in 1 John..

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." {1 John 1: 8-10}

You will not be Perfect. There is only one that is. His name is Jesus. However, it's not really that difficult to be different from the World. When you allow yourself to be the Child of God you are, He will Anoint you. He will Bless you. He will fill you with the Holy Spirit. People will SEE and FEEL a difference in you, in some cases, without you even opening your Mouth. You want to make a difference? Then it is pretty simple. Be the new you.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}