The Bachelorette and Cultural Christianity

“I have had sex and Jesus still loves me”

You’re not wrong, Hannah, but there are many things wrong with your way of thinking. This is not just about Hannah B or Luke P or The Bachelorette. I don’t ever expect people who go on shows like this to be Christians. My problem is when you claim to be Christian and don’t follow through with action. I’m talking about both Luke and Hannah by the way. Read James and you will see what I mean.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

James 1:22-25

The Lord is merciful and has grace for every sin past, present and future, correct. However, if you live with a “there’s grace for that” mentality then you make a fool of the Lord and yourself and cheapen the grace that Jesus gives so freely.

If you actively live in sin and claim to be a Christian, then you bring shame to the whole body of Christ. Don’t you know that one of the biggest reasons people hate the church is because they see us as hypocrites? I’m not saying you won’t screw up, because you definitely will. But, if you are not pursuing holiness every single day and trying to become more like Jesus, then you are not living under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

I will be the first to admit that I have sinned more than my fair share and fail on the daily. However, I try my hardest to live in Christian community that holds me accountable for my actions.

The Bible is very clear on God’s plan for sex. That it should be inside of marriage and between one man and one woman.

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

Hebrews 13:4

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galations 5:19-21

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God….”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

This plague of cultural Christianity that invades the Southern United States is toxic. I grew up in the Bible Belt and so much of the culture says that if you believe in God, then that’s enough. You shouldn’t have to give everything to Him. This culture is a comfortable faith. But God doesn’t crave lukewarm or half-in Christians. Our God is a jealous God and He desires our whole heart. Including your sexual desires.

“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

Romans 1:24-32

Fellow believers in Christ, STOP conforming your beliefs to that of the world. We are not called to simply believe in Jesus. Belief is not enough. We are called to live out His truth. We are meant to be set apart from the world for we are not of it. Stop trying to justify your actions to yourself and God. Instead, submit your desires to the Lord for He will provide you the strength and protection to live them out.

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

James 2:18-19

I want to be clear. You are completely and 100% forgiven. Jesus loves you so much that He died for your sin on a cross, was buried, and was raised 3 days later because He wants a relationship with YOU! If you truly believe this then it is your job to share the Gospel with others.

I firmly believe this: If you proclaim the Gospel through your actions but do not proclaim it with your mouth, then people will not know the Gospel. If you proclaim the Gospel with your mouth yet do not let your actions reflect that, then people will not believe the Gospel.

Stop conforming to this halfway Christianity and start living out your faith every day. You will fail often, just like me. But God desires more than what is comfortable.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:26

525,600

Listen to this as you read!!

525,600 minutes. That’s how many minutes are in a year, (at least according to Rent). We have limited time in this place, so let’s make it count.

Tonight as I drove from Dallas to Waco by myself, I had my Broadway playlist on shuffle, as I often do on road trips. Seasons of Love from Rent began playing. As I listened in today’s context, the song which I have listened to dozens, if not hundreds, of times took on new meaning.

How could a song I’ve listened to so many times suddenly take on such a drastic new meaning that I started crying and revisiting the meaning of life for the last 30 minutes of my trip? Today, I attended the funeral of my last grandparent.

In the wake of said tragedy, I spent a lot of time surrounded by family which I have not truly appreciated the way I should have. We spent an evening, not on a holiday (WOW!), sitting around the kitchen table having a laugh and telling stories. As I drove home this evening, I began reflecting on the importance of every moment and the temporary-ness (is there a word for that?) of this life and I have a few takeaways.

  • Cherish every moment, you never know which could be your last.
  • A life with grudges is no life at all, so forgive fully and forgive often.
  • Acknowledge others for their good and love them through the bad.
  • Have grace for all people and circumstances.
  • Get coffee when you say you should get coffee!!
  • Prioritize people.
  • Patience is always necessary.
  • Don’t forget to love yourself.
  • Stand by others in the hard times, even if it seems like all the time because that’s when they need you most.
  • Don’t give up on people, they will surprise you.
  • Love is the legacy you will leave, whether you did or didn’t love. So love well, love fully, love always and love all.

I may only be 21 and these may be common sense but I think we, as a society, fail to do them all too often.

As the Rent song explains so well, life truly is measured in love. If such a secular thing as the musical Rent (and trust me it is VERY secular) can recognize the importance of love as our purpose, then why do we, as Christians, fail to see it that way so often.

Let’s remember that we are called to love. Love is not just a feeling. The Bible tells us that love is a verb and calls us to love in radical ways, the way Jesus loved. This verse is so often used in weddings, but let’s apply it to the way we treat those around us. Let this redefine the way you live your life.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

At the funeral today and at every other funeral I’ve ever attended, there has never been a mention of how well off the person was, how many trophies or awards they had received or the possessions they had. They won’t talk about how many followers you had on Instagram or how you had a 4.0 GPA in college. The stories are always of love. Those things can seem like the biggest thing in the world at the moment, but let’s remember our purpose; love.

I urge you to love more fully and wholly as you return to scrolling the internet. Remember that love is your purpose and will become your legacy. So love well, love often, love always and love all.

Let this be your anthem.

Emily

The 21st Year: Reflections and Anticipations

Today, or since it is 1:30am currently, yesterday was my 21st birthday. Which means I am now able to drink, and not much else. I have been on the Earth for 21 full years and am now working on my 22nd year (birthdays are confusing). As I was about to go to bed, I started reminiscing on this year and what it has taught me. In an effort to become more self-analytical and reflective on things, I decided to start this blog. Here it goes.

This year has been one of heartaches and joy, overwhelming assignments and fun adventures, new challenges and life lessons, self-discovery and insecurity. A typical year with many ups, downs and unexpected turns.

This year I learned. I learned how essential healthy friendships are to healthy living. I discovered God’s call on my life is NOT black and white. I realized how important self-evaluation and reflection are and I am taking steps to improve myself in that aspect. I learned how important expressing my feelings and opinions is, even if they cause conflict. I made many more friends and realized that letting people in, is okay. I learned that its okay to fail.

This year I failed. A lot. I failed at being a good friend. I failed at prioritizing my own feelings. I failed at being confident that I matter every single day. I failed at putting 110% into everything. I failed at being a good leader, often. I failed at loving others unconditionally. I failed in my relationship with Jesus, consistently. I failed at eliminating procrastination. I also failed at my New Years resolution, no surprise there. I failed plenty but I also triumphed.

This year I triumphed. I triumphed in classes. I thrived in my summer position. I succeeded in voicing my own opinion. I successfully navigated through hard discussions and preserved and strengthened friendships. I improved so much in my dancing. Jesus helped me to succeed in being there for friends when they fell lower than they ever imagined and had no clue what to do. I triumphed in French class and fell just a bit in love with French culture and language. I thrived in my positions on the BSDS officer team. I triumphed when I joined Bella Voce. I triumphed when I was able to love others without strings or conditions. I triumphed when I realized that it is okay to talk about your own success and you can do it without sounding cocky.

I tried to become love this year. I’m not much good at it but I will continue to try. I am thankful for my family who are always there to love and support me no matter where I’m at. I am thankful for my best friends that always provide a soft place to land. I’m thankful for my best friend Emily, because she so faithfully loves and puts up with me. I am thankful for everyone who impacted my life in one way or another, yes that is probably you, the reader. I am thankful for every friend, colleague and mentor who formed me into the woman I am today. I cannot thank y’all enough. Thanks for 21 years, Jesus. Here’s to the start of my 22nd year, may it be dedicated fully to You.