Living Differently

We are on the last week of 21 days of fasting and I hope that we have noticed the difference this time has been in our lives. On Sunday, during our “Remove the Noise” evening gathering, the question came up that since we, as Christians, are to live differently, “How do we live differently?”

During the time that followed, one of the Bible’s great verses that talks about sin that entangles us and those things that are not sin that can trip us up. As we talked I said it was in James, but afterwards could not find it there and it bugged me, so I went to be sure where it was.

Though, James has some great words on the effect of sin in our lives, the verse that was discussed is actually Hebrews 12:1 –

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

This verse is written after one of the most popular and powerful chapters in the entire Bible. Hebrews 11 is known as the “Hall of Faith.” In chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews lists so many individuals that lived lives of faith in God. These individuals lived differently!!

That is one way we can live differently – look at those that have lived before you, and live around you today that are living differently, and follow their examples. See how they have failed and succeeded and use their lives as examples or patterns to choose to imitate. Paul says it well when he told his listeners to “follow me as I follow after Christ.”

Have a great time finishing your fast and continuing to live differently!! Using the lives of those that lived before you or that are living around you to better follow Jesus and Love God with everything you have and Love People no matter what!