POLLUTED LIVES

Water containing contaminants, even in small amounts, is polluted. Likewise, our lives are polluted when we accept the contaminants - immoral values - of this world. If we love money, we become greedy. If we lust, we become sexually immoral. Remaining pure in a polluted world is difficult, to say the least. But a heart filled with God's Holy Spirit leaves little room for pollution. Many people claim to know God, to be born again. How can we know if they are telling the truth? We will not know for certain in this life, but a glance at their lifestyle will quickly tell us what they value and whether they have ordered their lives around Kingdom priorities. The way we live says much about what we believe. "Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did" (1 John 2:4-6 Life Application Bible). The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more Christlike. We should thus follow His example of complete obedience to God and choose to love our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as other people. Christian love is not a feeling but a choice. If we choose to love others, God will give us the necessary strength and will show us how to express our love.