Do you have friends who follow celebrities, and everything about those celebrities? In many ways, these people, institutions, businesses and other such things inform the way that many live. We call them being "icons," and we let them determine the culture and society around us, even if we don't agree with everything they say. Sad as it is to say, this isn't just a secular frame of reasoning. Christians will quote scripture, hold up Chik-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby as points of reference, and refer to speakers, thought leaders and organizations without cracking open the word of God!
Loved ones, I'm not saying that it's necessarily bad to model your life after someone you admire. What I AM, however, saying is that we need to make sure to test, by God's word, what is good, and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). This world has a tendency to corrupt whatever it touches. Why? Because God designed it as good, handed it over to us, and we handed it over to corruption. God seeks to draw us back to Himself, and even people who call themselves by Christ's name, when they seek to do things the world's way can get led astray and, in turn, lead others astray. I've heard many people also use the excuse "I listen to Christian Music, go to church, support ministries and missions, and everything else. I'm fine as I am," without the real conviction to follow Christ through His word. We throw money at things, listen to music, and do these things to appease our conscience, but don't listen to the Word and voice of God the Father. Corrie Ten Boom said "God has many children, but no grandchildren." In other words, we can't be His by association. We're His or we're not.
We're called to live out our own faith. We're called to meet Jesus. Some day He will say "Come to what is prepared for you" or "I never knew you." Seek Christ! Open His word, and live by it! Get to Jesus PERSONALLY, and don't expect others to do it for you. Philippians 2:12-18
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Hebrews 12:3-17 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
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