Acts 17:26 says that God, “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Practically speaking, this means that God has placed you in this period of history on purpose. It is no accident that you’re living in the 21st century and not the 1st century. It also means that God has placed you in your neighborhood and in your school. It isn’t random chance that has located you where you are and not on the other side of the world.
Since God has been purposeful in placing us where He has, both historically and geographically, we should likewise be purposeful as we live in the specific context in which He has placed us. What is God’s purpose for you at this time in your specific location? Many passages could be considered, but 1 Peter 2:13-16 comes to mind first. If your school is a “human institution,” then I think there’s some great application here. Verse 15 says that God’s will specifically is “that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” There are unbelievers in your school who will criticize you for your faith. Your job is to silence them, but not in ways you might first think (e.g., winning debates). Verse 16 gives a clue as to how this is to happen: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” You’ll be criticized for what you believe, but the authenticity of your faith should be seen in how you live. Your faith might continually be ridiculed, even as you live out your faith, but as far as your life is concerned, they’ll not be able to find any fault. In fact, according to verse 12, some accusers will see your lifestyle of “good deeds and glorify God” at the return of Christ. Your life of service to Christ could be the instrument that turns an accuser into a worshiper. This is an exciting prospect, and this is what God has called each of us to at this time in the history of the world and at this location on the globe.
Not Your Own
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul says, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God with your body." This is the foundation of our 4-week series that will kick off the new year of Student Ministry. Come join us as we discover how to live in light of God's ownership of our entire lives.
35 Reasons Not to Sin
This was a recent post at The Rebelution. It goes well with some of the themes that were hit pretty strongly at Cam Harvest.
Because a little sin leads to more sin.
Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
Because my sin saddens the godly.
Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
Because my sin may influence others to sin.
Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
Because my sin is adultery with the world.
Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
Because to sin is not to love Christ.
Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it’s own.
Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.
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