1) Authentic Accountability (Proverbs 27:17)
2) Biblical Worldview (Colossians 2:8)
3) Growing in Gratefulness (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
4) Heart Transformation (Romans 12:2)
5) Maximizing Moments (Ephesians 5:15-16)
6) Privilege Responsibility (Psalms 103:10)
7) Student of Scripture (Joshua 1:8)
I would love to tell of how every one of these impacted me but due to time I will just touch on the two that were the most convicting, the first of which was growing in gratefulness. We are an incredibly entitled generation. I am an incredibly entitled person. The sad thing is, as a Christian, being entitled is directly contrary to the Bible, yet I continue to live in it. There is no way to be entitled and be walking in the will of God. Absolutely no way (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Over and over again in the gospels I see the example of Jesus giving everything for me. God chose to leave the splendor of heaven and come down to broken earth in the form of a man and die a grueling death for me, and yet I think I deserve amazing meals, nice clothes, a car, or whatever else it is. However, there is absolutely nothing I have ever done for me to deserve a single thing. I could have the worst day ever in the history of the world, and it would be better than I deserve. When Adam said that last statement in class my mind was blown. It seemed a little over the top for a second, but when I thought about it, nothing could be more true. I am a sinner with absolutely no good in me (Psalm 14:3). Therefore, the only thing I do deserve is hell. The fact that I don't have to go to hell means that I have been given far far more than I could ever deserve. Yet, so often I have the audacity to question God and complain to him when I don't get what I want. So how can I overcome this sin of entitlement and become more grateful? The answer is to never forget the gospel and what Christ has done for me. Here is a video that Adam showed to drive this point home:
Like the video showed, when I realize that in the picture of the gospel I am Gomer, the prostitute, I should automatically become the most grateful person ever. I betray Christ every day and turn from him, but he still chose to buy me back. To by back what was already his.
The second pillar that blew my mind was Maximizing Moments. Backing up this pillar is the verse Ephesians 5:15-16 which says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." What got me about this pillar was when Adam asked the question, "When you die and are before God, giving Him an account of how you spent your time, what will you be able to say to Him?" Wow. That made me think. Will I be able to say, "God I did everything you called me to do. I spent countless hours praying and meditating on your word. I invested in my family. I took time to reach out to the lost." Or when I am before God will it be more like this, "God, I never missed watching an NFL game. I was a pro at navigating facebook. I watched every episode of all my favorite tv shows." The truth is we will all be accountable before God for how we spend our time, and I do not want the day that I stand before God to look like the second example... because that is exactly what Satan wants. Every day I wake up there are two plans for my life: Satan's and God's. Satan's plan is for me to waste my life. He knows he can't have me in hell, so he will do everything he can for me to live a meaningless life as a Christian. God's plan is for me to use my life fully for his glory. It is so hard for us to live a life like that because Satan is not just going to sit back and let that happen if he can help it. When we become precious to God, we become important to Satan. Like Ephesians says, the days are evil. Satan is here to kill, steal (yes, even time), and destroy. How will I let this knowledge affect how I live? I hope and pray that I will take it to heart and not let Satan distract me into living a life of wasted time and opportunities.
