Psalm 101

August 13   Psalm 101

We must choose how we associate with people who live in ways that counter Scripture and do not honor God.  We are responsible for how we live our lives.  We get to decide if we are going to listen to God or others.  We must choose carefully how we respond to temptations and patterns of living that may distract us from God's will and purposes for our lives.  Eve did not have to listen to Satan; she chose to.  We do not have to give into temptations; we choose to.  It is common to blame others for our own mistakes and problems, but we must be willing to realize that falling into temptation is still a choice I need to take responsibility for no matter how much temptation or influence came my way.

We need to seek that fine balance of living in the world without becoming worldly.  We must always be on our guard against anything that will distract us from God.  We also must remember that we are called to make an influence in the world for Jesus without being influenced by the world ourselves.  If we are resolute in who we are in Christ, we can stand firm and not be influenced by the sins of the world.  If we find our identity in Christ we will focus on how I live for God rather than how I can fit in with everyone else. If you truly resolve to live your life for Jesus you will not fit in; you will be different.  But isn't that really a major part of being a Christian- you stand out as different from the world?