Take the word as strong as you can take it not as weak as you can make it!

Ah, that line. You know the line I am talking about. The line that most Christians walk with the skill of a tight-rope walker day in and day out. They live as close to that line as they possibly can, clinging to as much of the world as they possibly can without "crossing over". It seems to be a 'how much can I get away with without crossing the line' mentality. No actually it doesn't seem to be; it is!

Too many "Christians" show the world such a level of hypocrasy on a daily basis. How? They live their lives on the edge, the edge of the line, the edge of what is righteous; they live on the outskirts of righteousness where the shadows of the world can still creep in but not quite enough to darken where they are standing. They cling to the edge of the world like a dying man would cling to his last breath; they cling to the worldly things and white knuckle the last bit of "what parts of my old life can I keep" while simultaneously telling the people of the world that our life is so much better, a life of Christ is so much better. No wonder the world views Christians as hypocrites! I would say a good deal of them (at least in North America) are. Live your life that those people you are trying to save can see that what they are in isn't better instead of the other way around, you living your life like you would rather be in theirs.

Romans 12:2 says "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good & pleasing & perfect."

What I think that means and what I have been taught that means is just what I have titled this post: take the Word as strong as you can take it- not as weak as you can make it!

We, as Christians, need to step up our lifestyles, step up our devotion and quit living as close to that worldly edge as we possibly can! Pastor gave us a great example; if you are an athelete training for the Olympics you don't continue to eat what you always did. In fact, you don't eat the way you did when you were just some run of the mill athlete trying to catch his/her next break! You take your training up to another level and you take your eating habits up to another level. That is what we need to do! Take our training up a notch or two, take our eating habits up a notch or two as well, devour the Word of God and don't stop there! Always be wanting an increase! Always want more! Just as that athlete always wants a faster time, want to increase the power of God in yoru church services, increase the level of devotion you have for God each day.

Simply put, instead of doing as little as you can so you can boastfully tell others that you are a christian and living so much better than they are because you go to church on Sundays and maybe Wednesday nights(and that is pretty much your only difference) try living the Word of God to the best of your ability. You know with all your heart, mind, soul & strength. Choose to take the Word of God as strong as you can take it NOT as weak as you can make it!