People didn't expect John the Baptist as he came out of the wilderness preaching repentance and baptism. Why? Because they were only looking for what the religious fakes had to present to the people. Same stuff everyday. "Notice me how holy I am. I dress in the best of dress, pray in public and make great showing of giving in front of people." Nice but it won't get you into heaven. But that was what the people had come to expect. Fast forward to today. The expectations are much the same. People don't expect effective Christians. People are used to the complacency and lack of caring from those who call themselves followers of Jesus. It's uncomfortable to be noticed as different much less not the status quo. Expecting the same thing day after day, Sunday after Sunday, holiday after holiday. What a boring and mundane existence! Should you actually belong to Jesus and should you actually believe the Bible and should you actually let Jesus live through you this won't happen...ever. Jesus lived his life on earth being different, unusual, controversial and confrontive. He was the exception to every rule of the day. Granted he is God. He can do what he pleases. Except...live through you. Don't get me wrong; he wants to and has made the way to do so. However, so few "Christians" actually love Jesus enough to die to self.
Just what are you expecting God to be through you? People notice when your life reflects a "not of this world" attitude. The cares and worries of the world keep so many entrapped that there is no freedom to be what Jesus wants to be through us. Keeping an inoffensive life in place is so dominant that there is no time left to be the discomfort others feel. You and I are called to be set apart from the world. To be in the world but not of it. Conformity to the worlds expectations is simply not an option for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication are the door to Jesus living through you. Once you decide to follow Jesus there should be no turning back, no complacency, no status quo. What's keeping you from being a blazing fire instead of a snuffed out candle? Just what is it going to take for you to surrender to Jesus? Side note: In heaven you will stand before God and be judged by your life on earth. What you did and did not think, say and do will be put before you. An accounting will be required of you. "I don't know?" like some 13 year old just won't cut it. Will there be a "great cloud of witnesses" to attest on your behalf? How many people will be saved because you have Jesus living through you? Maybe you don't care. Jesus does. He died so that others could have salvation and know him through his presentation through you.
Just what were you expecting when someone first entered into your life to tell you about Jesus? The world has conditioned the unbeliever to be defensive and even aggressively defensive toward Jesus through you. Do you really want to hear those who didn't choose Jesus to say to you, "Why didn't you tell me?" Like Lazarus and the rich man, after those you didn't tell die there will not be a second chance like so many teach. That's a lie straight from the pit of hell. Sons, daughters, spouses, friends and even our enemies will be asking that question. "Why didn't you tell me about Jesus?" Well, why didn't you? Perhaps you were living the expected life of those in the world. Perhaps you were so involved in TV, sports, drinking, drugs, infidelity, and other joys of the world to bother really living the life Jesus wanted to live through you. Just what are you expecting Jesus to be through you? If you contend that you want to play life save, so be it. You miss the peace that passes understanding, you miss the "well done thou good and faithful servant", you miss the glory of someone knowing Jesus and eternal life. All because others have come to expect nothing from you who think, say and do nothing. Why don't you love the lost?
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