Young People Alert…Whom Are You Copying?

        In this day and age of social media, many young children of God have patterned their lives according to what they see worldly celebrities do. Not minding if it was right or wrong. As a result many lights have gone dim and are in danger of being put out: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Your light is meant to illuminate and drive out the darkness of the world around you; now people are confused as to the manner of ‘light’ you claim to carry: “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness” (Luke 11:35, NLT). Just like the prodigal son who forgot the son of who he was, so many have lost their way and forgotten whose children they are. Can a lion beg a chicken for food? That is what we do when we try to be like the people of the world instead of emulating our Father in Heaven, the Creator of the heavens and earth and everything therein. 

        So many have copied how these celebrities walk, talk, dress; and some took it a step further to worship their gods without understanding or realizing it. Under God, Beloved, how has this helped you? How has working in the parameters of the world, dressing seductively or sagging your trousers and shorts elevated you in the society you so desperately want to be a part of and recognized in? In Romans 12:2, we were admonished not to pattern our lives according to the cultures and traditions of this world: “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 and pleasing and perfect” (NLT). 

      Beloved, in these perilous times, if we claim to be sons of God, then it is of utmost importance that we imitate God by walking as He did and would based on His Word: “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God” (3John11). Some may argue that to live in this manner at this time is old school, old fashioned or a ‘holier than thou’ outlook on life. That’s not true. It is the only way to live a purposeful life in Christ Jesus, and equally escape eternal damnation that such contrary attitude will incur at the end: “But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed” (Romans 2:5). Yes, hell is real; there is eternal damnation for as many that refuses the way and path of Jesus Christ! He is the ONLY way to the Father! We must hold on to Him who knows us better than we know ourselves, who sees our tomorrow and who is able to destroy our souls forever if we reject Him. 

      You might yell, there are so many things you need, and He can’t possibly understand! He does understand! You do not need to copy the world to be outstanding in your endeavors. In Matthew 6:31-35, He showed us that He understands our worry, BUT in it we MUST seek Him FIRST and all the things we need will come. What a God we serve! Beloved, copy Him, learn His voice, learn to walk like Him, talk like Him, learn His ways, move like Him and dress like Him. There is nothing too trivial to talk to God about. We serve a God who once walked in our shoes and completely understands our daily struggles, big and small, and He said lay it all down at His feet! That impossible feat, once you lay it at His feet, it becomes possible; you don’t need to copy the world to attain it! Psalm 91:1-16 sums it all perfectly. As long as we remain in Him, verses 9-16 automatically comes into action for us. Additionally, when we make God our center John 4:34-38 becomes a norm in our lives. 

       Finally, Beloved, it is time to stop pursuing and copying the fallacies of this world but pursue and copy the Lord Jesus Christ: “Therefore, be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children (imitate their father)” (Ephesians 5:1, AMP). He loves you very much, and all He wants from you is for you to surrender all at to Him! He is waiting. Remember, with Him NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE! God bless you as you take in these words and do the needful!