Shedding the Excess

It doesn’t always have to be about God. Does it?

This seems ridiculous when you say it aloud. Ridiculous in both fashions based on your perspective — how could we make everything about Him? How could we not?

When I was apart from the Lord, I found Christians who tried to tie everything to religion foolish. I thought them ignorant and overbearing. Why did they always have to bring their beliefs into everything?

Even after I begged Christ to change my life, I had areas kept separate from God. Sadly, this is a common vice among believers. We try to rationalize it…

• Not at work. There is never a good time at work.
• I just won’t sing these words in the song, the rest is fine.
• You can’t really watch anything without seeing this stuff now days, so what are you going to do?
• This is modern fashion and everyone else is wearing it.

But as I continue in my walk with the Lord, I feel greater convictions over these things.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do”

1 Peter 1:14-15

Christ has given me new life in His name, and I am not to waste it as I did previously in sin. Past selfish desires furthered only my own demise.

Still, some will challenge again, does it always have to be about God?

How can it not, friends? How can it not? A little further reading into 1 Peter answers this for me.

For you know that is was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:18-19

Christ shed His blood so we can be redeemed. His blood. And I’ve been holding onto things like non-edifying shows and materialism.

God, continue to convict me and show me my sin. May I be sanctified in your truth. Amen.

Continue praying with me by reading my prayer, The Shed.