Really A Christian?

 1 Corinthians 15: 33, 58 (NKJV)
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' "
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

     So, I'm a Christian. But how does the world see me? Am I really what I say I am in the worlds' eyes? Do I live differently and "set apart" from the world? Do I live in, and not "of" the world? I think-- no, I know-- that I am failing in that category!
     You may ask, "Does this really matter? After all, we are in busy and weird times! No one notices anything I do!" Let me tell you a secret. IT DOES MATTER!!!!! People are always watching Christians, waiting for them to mess up, it seems. But this concept is more important; Jesus and His Father have Their eyes on us at all times. The only difference is that Jesus and His Father's eyes are loving; the world's; not so much!
     Jesus calls us all to be examples to the world; good examples. He doesn't call us to be halfway Christians; Christian on Sunday, while the rest of the week out partying, having fun in sin. Can we, as teenagers, live for Jesus with all of the pressures of the world pressing us on every corner? Not easily. But by the light of God's Word, we can learn how.
     Leviticus 11:44 says, "I am the Lord your God. You must... be holy, because I am holy." Hmm... What else does the Bible say?... Amos 5:24 "I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." God says this! He is speaking these words! I am not making this up!
     One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 4:12. It is a long verse, but read it thoroughly, and then read it again. "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all the believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Wow! Apparently, we can do this. No, it is not easy. In fact, it may not even be fun. But Christianity isn't about fun. I could go on a whole rant about this, but I would be getting off track.
      In the end, we need to examine ourselves. Our lives. Our thoughts. Ouch! That hurt me! Thinking about what you need to change is never comfortable and never easy. Whoever tells you it is, is either perfect or completely off their rocker! I see the mark floating somewhere in the distance, and it sometimes seems when I take off to get at it, I fall, or it moves! But, everything is about moving forward. God wants us to always keep moving forward, pushing onward for him. But, it sometimes feels like I'm Captain Hook off of Peter Pan. When the crocodile is seen, he runs the other way. But, really, he should face up to his fears and master them. Will you join me in examining yourself and moving forward and making a difference in this world for God? You know, one random act of kindness can go a long way!
For further study;
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 12:21
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 15*
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 16:31
Joel 2:32
Psalm 119: 98-99
1 John 4:20
2 John 1:6
Job 17:9

* This chapter may or may not help. Please read it sometime anyway, though!
NLT version used