Today in Part 2 of my series on staying Christian in college, I want to take you back to Ezra 7:10. I believe the lessons that can be learned from Ezra’s experiences will change your life. In part 1 I talked about Ezra 7:1-10a and challenged you to make a commitment to follow Jesus as you progress through transitions in your life. I discussed how it can be difficult for a Christian to unashamedly live out their faith in an atmosphere where Christianity simply isn’t considered cool whether that be at school, work, or anywhere else.
Now I want to ask you to make a commitment to set your heart on studying and obeying God’s word.
A couple days ago my friend Bogdan Kipko wrote a post on How To Commit To Reading Your Bible Every Single Day where he encourged his readers to make the bible part of their daily lives. Earlier Bogdan wrote a very helpful post on How To Remain Consistent In Reading Your Bible. I also wrote a 3 part series on Making Your Bible Reading Effective And Fruitful. Why? Well for one thing we both believe the bible is the ultimate source of spiritual growth. 1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in you salvation.”
We also passionately believe that there are no other books capable of changing your life and making you holy like the Word of God is. I write in more detail about this in my post called “Christian Books Just Don’t Cut It”. We wouldn’t spend hours writing up posts on the topic of the bible if we didn’t believe that it wasn’t capable of changing your life!
I am not foolish, I know young people want to go out and have a good time. I know at the college age that both men and women are looking for companionship. Dating is a big priority and joy for many college aged people. My concern is that in the process of seeking these relationships, Jesus is being neglected. A lot of young men also get caught up in sports and recreational activities, and often times Jesus gets neglected in the process. I have been a student a long time. I know how easy it is to lose site of what matters most especially when there is little to no free time available.
This is not how it should be in the life of a Christian!
Dating, though exciting, should not be the greatest priority or excitement in your life right now, Jesus should be. Sports, though incredibly fun, likewise should not be the greatest priority in your life right now, Jesus should be. A lot of people will nod their heads and agree with what I am writing but will continue on business as usual because dating and sports bring them so much happiness.
Here are two things I want you to consider about sports and dating:
- You will grow older and fatter and the only sports you will know will be on ESPN.
- You probably won’t marry the person you are dating in highschool or college anyway so don’t neglect God, family, or homework.
Many people have asked me “how can I be passionate for God?” and “I know Jesus died for my sins, but I don’t really have a relationship with Him or a prayer life, or any passion, how do I get those things?.”
I always ask these people this question. Are you in the Word of God daily?
The answer to that question is always NO. How can you expect to be passionate about Jesus and the bible if you won’t even make a basic commitment to learn about who He is, and what He has done for you? This isn’t some religious system where you pray a prayer and get a “get out of jail free card”. Christianity is much, much more than that! How do you learn what Christianity is? In the Word of God.
Ezra had a strong relationship with the Lord. He set his heart on studying and obeying the scriptures. He applied what he learned from the scriptures to his daily life in how he worshiped God in everything He did. You can do this too, and who knows, maybe God will use YOU to do something as amazing as Ezra was used for. But only if you commit your life to Jesus, and set your heart to study the bible, and to live it out in you day to day life.
Not happy with your walk with God? Well do something about it right now, today, before you go to sleep! Ask God to forgive you for neglecting Him. Make a new commitment to walk with Him daily. Read your bible daily. Trust the Holy Spirit to work a miracle in your life.
One thing is for certain, if you sit around and do nothing, don’t expect to wake up one day with a new found passion for God!
The Religious Nerd 