Let us Live and Die

From television, to the music we listen to, the things we read (even this), our relationships with friends, family, and the clothes we wear all are contributions to influence and shape the way we think, feel, and behave. Some are good influences (like this, I hope) while some are very disturbing; and there are probably a lot more to add to the list. The environment in which we live in expects us to act and think in a certain way, and with the media and its attempt to make everyone think and act the same, we have the assumption that we have to live like what we see and hear on the television. I know it may vary from person to person so I am going to reflect on how this world is trying to conform me to its attitudes and actions and the ways in which it has succeeded and hope that it would be both an encouragement to you and also to me as we walk together and draw nearer to the Lord. First, I would say that the television has had an influence on the way I think and behave. For example, (and this might be a small one) I remember when Randy Moss was on the Minnesota Vikings a few years back, and during a game against the Green Bay Packers he scored a touchdown and for his celebration he pretended to pull his pants down to show the crowd his behind. The next day at my football game, I thought it would be somewhat entertaining if I imitated him after a play so I did. 

Most of us find ourselves doing something we see on the television and we do not even notice it sometimes. There are lots of ways in which what we see on TV infiltrates our thoughts and actions. I was going to continue listing other ways in which this world has penetrated my behavior and mind but I think I’m going to leave it at that one example. Rather than to continue listing the world’s influences on me, I would like to reflect shortly on how our mindset ought to be as Christians. Paul writes to the church in Philippi to have an attitude the same as that of Christ Jesus (Phil 2:1-11). Jesus lived a life of humility and obedience to the Father, and he calls us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). John Calvin writes in his work The Joy of Self Denial that, “If we are not our own, but the Lord’s, it is clear to what purpose all our deeds must be directed… We are God’s own; to him, therefore, let us live and die.” We must die to ourselves, forgetting our selfish interests, unrighteousness, ungodliness, disobedience, and vain desires. And we are to live to God, with righteousness and godliness, do all things for his glory, be obedient, and be full of humility like our Saviour  Christ Jesus.