1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

Why is it that the Christians of the first century were able to do so much damage, in a positive sense, in such a relatively short period of time (Acts 17:6)? And how is it that these first-century believers, without the tools, technology, and media that we utilize today, were still able to radically impact their culture? The short answer is they followed and practiced a radical, non-compromising Christianity that is not known by many in the twenty-first century. When we read about Christianity in New Testament books like Acts, we might classify it as something that was radical, over the top, and perhaps a bit on the extreme side. But to them it would have been nothing less than normal Christian living. They were different. Christians should differ from non-Christians in every realm, not just the religious realm. We should differ from non-Christians not simply because we show up at church on the weekend or attend a midweek Bible study. Rather, we should differ from non-Christians because we conduct our businesses differently, we treat our spouses differently, and we raise our children differently. Our values should be different from those of non-Christians. People need to see this difference in our lives, but all too often, it simply is not happening. If we want to impact our world like the first-century believers did, then we have to get back to the principles they applied. It starts with the Christianity they practiced. Christianity based on the unconditional love of God, great faith, uncompromising word of God, and demonstration of the Spirit and power.

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Too often we go through life wandering from person to person, possession to possession, and success to success, trying to find the love we long to experience.  But God has proven His love for you. So, believe it. God died in your place suffering the punishment for sin that you deserved, so you could go free. God was more willing to suffer Himself than to see you suffer (1 John 4:9-10). Of course, the devil constantly tries to get you to doubt that God loves you. That is why you must rely on what the Bible says and not what your feelings or circumstances may tell you. You do not desire pain or loss.

So, it is with God. He desires good for you even more than you do. And He demonstrated at Calvary that He would put your interest before His own. There are at least two reasons why God loves you so much. First, it is His nature to love. The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is the word that best describes God’s nature. Second, you are God’s creation. God loves you just as good natural parents love their offspring. People may not seem very special to others, but to their mother and father they are always special. This should help you understand how God could really love you even though you may not love yourself that much. Also, God sees you as you can be and will become not just as you are now. God has faith in you and in His ability to make you someone special. You should choose to believe what the Bible says: God loves you and He cares about you! 1 Peter 5:7 AMP “Casting the whole of your care — all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all — on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.”  God fully loves you. Believe it.

Romans 12:2, AMP “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…”

The primary purpose of the Word of God, the Bible, is to change the way we think about ourselves, about others, about issues of life, and about God.  The reason why many people today are not happy, the reason they are not enjoying life is simply because they have trained their minds to think and dwell on the wrong things. They have trained their minds to worry, to be anxious, and to be fearful. They have trained their minds to complain. They have trained their minds to blame others for their mistakes and situations. They have trained their minds to see the negative in everything. They have not trained their minds to see things from God’s perspective. The truth is that just as we can form these negative mindsets, we can retrain our minds and form positive mindsets. This transformation can happen as we renew our minds to the Word of God and develop positive attitudes. This does not happen instantly. You have to make a conscious effort every single day until a good habit is formed. I encourage you today to choose to live a life of a positive attitude of faith, gratitude, praise, thanksgiving, forgiveness, love, joy, self-control, long suffering, contentment, gentleness, obedience, and humility, based on the solid foundation of God’s Word.