Stranger ThingsSample

Forward or Backward

It has been said that when it comes to following Jesus, you’re either moving forward or sliding backward – there is no standing still. And sadly, the gravitation pull of our sinful nature is to move backward. Peter tells us that it was one thing to live according to our selfish desires before we knew Jesus – we simply didn’t know any better. But now that we have discovered the truth, we are called to a much different way of life – a holy life. 

Now, the word holy probably conjures up mental images of Pope-Mobiles or monks on a mountainside, but the word simply means “to be set apart…to stand out.” And when we live our lives moving forward in Christ-likeness, then we will certainly stand out…like a big, bearded dude in a yoga class. But that should not frighten us, and Peter himself reminds us that we are to live out our time on earth as foreigners in reverent fear of God. When we fear God, people and their opinions don’t seem nearly as scary. 

So, what about you? What “old way” might you be slipping back into? What action do you need to take to begin living the holy and set-apart life that Jesus has called you to?