A committed life (or, how to live in this evil word)

Committed to the cause!

Politicians, athletes, activists, and businesspeople are committed to their cause, whether that is serving people, winning a medal, reaching a goal, or making millions. They are people willing to give their time, energy, and devotion to something. They are often totally focused, loyal, and dedicated. 

What about Christians?

What about us? Are we committed to the cause, to a life that pleases God? Are we focused, loyal, and dedicated or are we standing with one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom? I pondered those questions the other day, wondering why so many Christians are being influenced (and sometimes end up being paralyzed) by everything that is happening in our world today.

Our instructions are quite clear

The Bible calls us to live a certain way. 👉 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God (Titus 2:12). It doesn't say we should live in this evil world with fear, worry, and anxiety. Quite the contrary.

Maybe you say, 'Marja, that's not easy.' Well, no one said it would be easy. If we continue to read in that same chapter we will find out how it is possible to live that way. We are called to look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

A committed life

So, we can and should live a life devoted to God while looking forward to what is to come. And then comes verse 14: He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Totally committed to doing good deeds. It is the antidote to being sucked into the dramas of this world if you ask me!

Calling for revenge?

Love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).

Hate what is evil. Duh, who doesn't? Unless you're a satanist, maybe.

Of course, we hate what is evil. But the verse doesn't end there... cling to what is good.

'What is good?' you may ask, as we live in a world where there is plenty of confusion about biblical good and bad. The apostle Paul pretty much sums it up in verses 10-19 of that same chapter:

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. He goes on and on (very interesting and practical verses to read and do, by the way!) and then it comes... do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Hold on a minute here... we can't call for revenge? You gotta be kidding, right? 😕 Well, actually that's what it says. The chapter ends with verse 21:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Easy? Nope. Possible? Yes, otherwise the Bible wouldn't call for it. It is exactly that verse I based my latest video series on. Sixteen videos (about 2 minutes each) about 'How to stay positive in a negative world'.

'Good' in Romans 12:21 doesn't necessarily mean good deeds or good works (as we may interpret it), but more like a postive quality, a moral quality. That is what the Greek word means. In other words making good quality choices on an everyday basis. When we consistently do so, we overcome evil!

👉Make sure to check out my video series on YouTube or my Instagram channel. You will love this series. The short and practical messages will encourage and inspire you!