You may have heard of a trend going around about people's "ins and outs." If you don't know what this is, they're habits that people want to start/keep (their "ins") and get rid of (their "outs"). Today, I want to talk about a few of my own, specifically about living as a Christian in 2024.
The goal of our lives should be to become like Jesus. These habits will either help or harm you towards this.
In 1: Celebration
Celebration can sometimes be shamed and put on the backburner. Some people (myself included) have mistook celebration for being prideful. There is a quote from an article on metanoiavt.com which, I feel, really sums this up. "The thought of pride not only seeks to take God's glory for ourselves, it suggests that we are the very source of our own life and any accomplishments. The essence, the essence of pride is the belief that I am God."
When we celebrate other people or ourselves, but completely attribute successes to them or ourselves, to our skills, knowledge and hard work, this is where pride comes on. Taking 100% of the credit and not acknowledging God at all isn't what a true celebration is. Celebration is praising God for what He has done through you or others, and in turn celebrating who the person is in God.
Out 1: Proving your worth
In such a saturated world, feeling like you need to prove your worth is so universal. With everyone's life being on display, we feel like we have to prove that we're good enough for this life. This can present itself in multiple different ways, whether that's getting top grades at school, being successful in your career, having a picture-perfect life etc.
But we don't need to prove our worth because our worth has been set in stone by the person of Jesus. Our worth is so immeasurable and is not determined by our behaviour, thoughts or even our feelings. It is determined by who we are and who Jesus is.
In 2: Being in a faith-encouraging community
A faith-encouraging community should encourage you in your life and relationship with Jesus. Community is so important and was modelled by Jesus and his disciples, who were in constant communion with each other, sharing their burdens, and doing life together. This is what we're called to, what we were created for.
Colossians 3:13-14 says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Being in a faith-encouraging community means that you are in perfect unity, doing all things together, with nothing that can separate you, for good and bad, being bound in love. This is the foundation and the glue and your relationships with people. No matter what they've done, and no matter where they've been or what happened, love triumphs all.
Out 2: Doubting our place and abilities
Self-doubt can come from so many places, whether that's comparisons to others, negative reactions from others, something you've done, failures or setbacks you've had in your life. Self-doubt can generate stress and anxiety, lower our confidence, and make us feel overwhelmed.
James 1:6 says, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." When we doubt, we don't have a very good foundation, so can be swayed and influenced by other people.
The root of all self-doubt is fear. There are so many times God tells us not to fear! Submit your fears to God and believe in yourself, created in the image of God made to do His works.
In 3: Being honest with God
We may not want to be honest with God because of shame, guilt or fear. We often may feel like we need to be perfect and clean to come to God because of His perfection, and we feel unworthy in comparison. However, God doesn't want us to do that. He wants us to come as we are. He wants us to experience the relationship with Him completely as ourselves. God already knows you better than you know yourself, and still calls you to Him!
When we open up and be completely honest with God, this is where true freedom comes from!
Out 3: Doing life without God
Even though you may call yourself a Christian, or may see yourself as someone with faith, you may not be living life with Him.
Think about where God is from your Monday to Saturday. When you're not in church, when you're not in a Christian community, where is God? Are you spending time with God outside of this? Is He a part of your everyday life? Is He with you, when you make decisions? Does He know your thoughts and feelings?
Doing life with God is the best, and something He desires!
John 15:4 says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” We can't produce good fruits without abiding in and doing life with God!
Doing life with God can fruit into so many things! Praying without ceasing, in the good and bad. Spending time with Him each day. Including Him in all of your thoughts and decisions. Surrendering your life to Him.
By doing life with God, we draw closer to Him and become more like Jesus!
Check out the full podcast episode here
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