Say the word glacier and most of us think of something massive and slow-moving. One group of Alaskan tourists, however, witnessed a jaw-dropping surprise when a 200-foot-tall chunk of ice broke away from a glacier.
One passenger aboard the Tracy Arm Fjords Tours boat captured a video clip of the “mini” iceberg plunging into the water. It created forceful waves and shot projectiles in all directions—some of which skipped over the surface of the water and hit the boat.
Choosing to follow Christ means breaking away from our old way of living. The process can be a dramatic event. Peter described living for Christ like this: “You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). This new direction in life may cause “former friends [to be] surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do” (1 Peter 4:4). As a result, we may experience:
Loneliness—When friends stop being friendly, remember that God “is with you. He will not fail or forsake you” (1 Chronicles 28:20).
Temptation—Old habits die hard, but God “will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Condemnation—The past has a way of interrupting the present, but “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The Spirit’s power frees us from the power of sin.
Living for Christ often involves enduring hardship (2 Timothy 2:3), but it also proves that we are truly His. When our lifestyle honors God, we can show His goodness to others because He has called us “out of the darkness into His wonderful light”! (1 Peter 2:9).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 12:1-11
More:
Read Colossians 1:21-22 to see how Christ transforms the lives of people who trust in Him. Read John 15:13 to see why Jesus is a true friend to His followers.
Next:
Why is it important to form Christian friendships? What kinds of attitudes and activities might you need to leave behind in order to live for Jesus?
nivla on August 28, 2012 at 4:31 am
yesterday, since it was holiday in the philippines, my workmates opted to have a party at one of our colleagues’ condo unit. They texted everyone in the team as early as Friday so no one can turn the invite down. I am also aware beer and drinks will overflow. – party till you drop as they say.
i used to drink very occasionally but I stopped since January this yr. I felt it’s not a good testimony to people I eye to win for Christ. I believe it was a compromise. People would tell me a little of it is just OK as long as you’re not getting drunk. but my take on it changed eventually, that even that small/seemingly harmless shot can fuel and open a greater entrypoint of compromise (and eventually sin) in my life. – that’s my personal conviction.
I texted them yesterday I cant go, Ill just work from home. They didn’t text back. That’s fine, at least I was able to escape that one “part” of my old self.
rooske on August 28, 2012 at 5:27 am
Hi Nivla,
I want to encourage you in following Christ. We have to obey our Lord Jesus, not men. God bless you!
Rooske
Ethan on August 28, 2012 at 11:36 am
Hi Nivla,it is so encouraging to hear your story.Your effort to reject sin and going for what is good is setting a role-model for me,me too sometimes facing such challenges in my social circle but i believe God is good and He is there with us to lead us and provide comfort.May God bless you!
jennifer benson schuldt on August 28, 2012 at 12:13 pm
nivla,
It’s so good to hear that you are staying true to your convictions instead of just going along with “the crowd”. Your situation reminded me of the verse in Proverbs that says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov 18:24 NIV). Be assured that your decision has not gone unnoticed by God. May He strengthen you both today and in the future as you put Him first. Thank you for sharing this situation in your life.
nivla on August 28, 2012 at 5:38 am
amen! 🙂
Thanks Rooske.
mike wittmer on August 28, 2012 at 10:25 am
This is very helpful, Jennifer. I’ve been thinking lately that I tend to adopt the values and lifestyle of those I’m around, and so it’s best to surround myself with godly Christians, from which I can make forays into the world to win new friends to Jesus.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 28, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Mike, good observation. We all tend to become like the people we befriend. A couple of nights ago, during family devotions with our kids, we read 1 Corinthians 15:33. It talks about how bad company corrupts good habits. The reverse is true too–just think of Daniel and his three buddies (Daniel 3:16-18) who stood together, and stood for God during a time when it would have been so easy to just “go with the flow” and give in to the cultural pressures around them.
daisymarygoldr on August 28, 2012 at 1:28 pm
“Glacier” is a good word picture, Jennifer! You are right; when we choose to follow Christ the new direction will lead us to part ways from the former life—and friends. And thanks nivla, for sharing your story with us. This is true transformation that characterizes every BC/AC account. After being saved we no longer desire for old bad habits like speaking bad words, watching filthy stuff, drinking, smoking etc.
This transformation does not happen magically but requires a conscious effort on our part to stop doing those habitual sins and not hang out with those who practice them. Paul tells us to “Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning as “bad company corrupts good character.” If after accepting Christ there is no noticeable change in me, then it proves I “don’t know God at all”. (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).
Breaking away does not mean to isolate ourselves into seclusion. It means, since we have light from the Lord, we do not participate in the works of darkness (Ephesians 5: 7-8). It is important to form Christian friendships because this will help us stay on the right path and not stray back into our old sinful ways. Friendship with God’s people is friendship with God.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 28, 2012 at 5:11 pm
daisymarygoldr,
I wrote the last response before I read your post. We were thinking similar thoughts! I like the point about having light from the Lord–it means we do not participate in the works of darkness. What our world wants to dub “grey areas” are often not so ambiguous when we look at them in light of God’s standards for Christian conduct. With His strength and through His Spirit, we can do what is right.