This post is an excerpt from my very young Bible Study Blog, The Word For A Young Christian. It was posted previously, but when my database got zapped, it disappeared from LaVrai.COM, so here it is again.

1 Corinthians 4:9-131 Corinthians 4:9-13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. us...: or, us the last apostles spectacle: Gr. theatre ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. ¹¹ Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; ¹² And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: ¹³ Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.  

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9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

As a young Christian woman, I find it curious sometimes when I consider what is supposedly ‘normal’ for a person of my age group and gender living in America. Of course, I wasn’t very different from my peers before I gave myself over completely to the LORD Jesus Christ, and HE showed me exactly what Salvation is about and what life is worth.

Based on previous experiences and observations, I know, for example, the typical weekend for a young person consists of going out to a club or bar with friends and acting a little wild to blow off steam from a week of work (or studies). Some ‘harmless’ party drugs might come into play. A random make-out (or hook-up) session will most likely happen. Guys will wear a simple top (button-up, nice shirt, etc.) and jeans or khakis; girls will wear something with straps, that doesn’t completely cover their stomachs and tight, low-cut jeans (to expose even more of what’s beneath the belly button) or a mini-skirt (even in winter). All in all, the guys look comfortable; the girls look like they’re using their bodies to bait something.

Now, I, as a Christian, dress modestly (and have always because of the household in which I grew up). I haven’t always dressed as reserved as I do now, but back in my high school or college days you wouldn’t catch me wearing anything far above the knees, too tight across the chest, or exposing my mid-drift. I would have felt too naked or vulnerable.

Because of my walk with Jesus Christ, I am even more conscious now of how I dress. And when I look in the mirror, I ask the Holy Spirit what HE thinks, and I consider if I would be ashamed to stand in these clothes before the LORD. I don’t wonder what Bobby or Mike will think, or how I will look to anyone else. I only consider what the LORD may say. I keep in mind that my body is indeed a temple, a home, for the Holy Spirit.

I don’t drink alcohol (the Holy Spirit). I don’t use curse words (the Holy Spirit). I avoid certain types of TV shows, music, movies, magazines, etc. – pretty much what most of my peer group eats up on a regular basis, I avoid as often as possible. Most of these programs, media, publications, etc. re-enforce the filthiness and sins and attitudes GOD ALMIGHTY wants us to avoid. [For example, I saw a TEEN/YOUNG ADULT magazine cover today in which these were the headlines: ‘New Sex Dos & Don'ts - How To Handle Anything (Naked)' and ‘8 Things Guys Crave In Bed.']

As the LORD says, sex is for those who are married (1 Corinthians 6). Since that’s the case, I look down on the so-called hook-up culture, where youth think it’s no big deal to have sexual intercourse, oral sex or to make-out with a random stranger. And, of course, homosexuality is a no-no. I can embrace the person (for how filthy did I appear to the LORD before HE cleaned me up?), but I cannot and will not embrace their sins (Romans 5:6-9Romans 5:6-9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. in due time: or, according to the time ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  

WP-Bible plugin; Luke 6:27-36Luke 6:27-36
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, ²⁸ Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. ²⁹ And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. ³⁰ Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. ³¹ And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. ³² For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. ³³ And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. ³⁴ And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. ³⁵ But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. ³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  

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So far, in the eyes of my non-Christian peers (and even among those who call themselves Christians), I am a certified weirdo, freak, outcast and oddball who is oppressed, boring, too hard on herself and doesn’t know how to have fun.

According to my American culture, it’s normal for young people to drink, do ‘harmless’ drugs, party, hook-up with random people, sexually experiment, hoard up the latest fashionable clothes, sneakers and shoes – and to basically do whatever I want because life is short, right?

[Right! Life is short, so why do these things to yourself and your body? ...That's what I always wonder, anyway. And never mind the other trite statement -- we've only one life to live. No friends, there is another life after this one. Store up your pleasures for that life, which you will have for an eternity. ]

But, back to being a fool for Christ. I am not really comparing myself to the apostles who were martyred and persecuted for professing Jesus Christ. I am, however, attempting to show that not much has changed since the infancy of the Church – Christians are still the weirdo, non-conformists ‘turning the world upside down.’

Because I actively walk in my Christian faith and principles, I am a spectacle to most other people. Never mind my personality – that I am a loving, kind and respectful person. I dress ‘like a nun’ and avoid certain movies, so that overshadows any of the ‘good’ qualities I may actually have. Oh, and the worst, I actually read my Holy Bible in public… and I’m not talking about just at church. Crazy, I know.

What’s so strange or special even about being a ‘church girl’ (as I’ve heard that I’ve been referenced to)? What is this box that I’ve been placed in by those who find me different? I am not very sure, but I tell you – I like where I am. Looking back at the worldly lifestyle I used to live – that was enslavement. Today, I am not susceptible to peer pressure. I could care less about another person’s opinion when it comes to my relationship with Jesus Christ. I don’t mind being ostracized – because the other option, of being taken in by the group, would surely lead to death and hell.

I never really used to understand these passages from the Holy Bible, until recently (thank you, Holy Spirit):

John 8:31-36John 8:31-36
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ³³ They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? ³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. ³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  

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31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Romans 6:20-23Romans 6:20-23
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. from...: Gr. to righteousness ²¹ What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. ²² But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

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20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:5-8Romans 8:5-8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. to be carnally...: Gr. the minding of the flesh to be spiritually...: Gr. the minding of the Spirit ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal...: Gr. the minding of the flesh ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  

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5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The things that my peers are obsessed with and have become routine to their lives leads to nowhere but death. Everyone and everything in this world is perishing – unless you have found the ONE who gives Eternal Life. I truly know and understand that, so I cannot be bothered with the opinions of the outside world. I am gladly a fool for Christ Jesus’ sake. It would be foolish of me to compare myself to those who are in the world or even to other Christians. I can only compare myself to the Word of GOD. The only Person whom I can model myself after is Jesus Christ, for HE is Life Eternal.

Behaving like many of my peers behave is slavery. It is often a pack-mentality, the desire to fit in and be ‘cool,’ and peer pressure that convinces young people to behave the way they do. In the Spirit, I have life and liberty. I don’t have to give in to any whims or wild fancies. I have self control because of HIM. I am free because of HIM and because of this relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Satan can’t convince me of anything. I have learned to deny myself (worldly desires, material things, etc.) daily, and I see plainly where treading in the footsteps of the world leads – to death and hell.

I will gladly appear as a fool in the eyes of the world because of my love for and faithfulness to Christ Jesus, for my LORD and my GOD sees me just as I am.

Image credit / source: Christian Clipart