Lifestyles

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

I am getting ready for the upcoming camping season. As my wife and I have been discussing what needs to be done, we have realized that it takes a lot of preparation for us to have a successful camping season. Preparation requires action, getting the vehicle ready, making sure the camper is in working order, making sure our cooking equipment is ready to go. This reminded me of John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus. John Lived a lifestyle that was centered on preparing the way for Jesus. We can see three things from John's life that speak to us on how to prepare for the return of Jesus.

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:4-6

Lifestyle of repentance- Baptism was not a new concept at this point in history. Many who converted to Judaism were baptized to show they were following their new religion. However what was completely revolutionary was the baptism of repentance. Repentance is something that is a mark of the daily life of the believer. It is proof of a heart that is soft towards the Lord. Repentance is the daily cleansing that purifies our heart before God in the areas where we may have tripped up. This life style of repentance will prick the conscience of those around us. It is a contagious characteristic, and repentance will always prepare the way for the Lord

Lifestyle of holiness- John's clothing and the way he ate were representative of a lifestyle that lived in holiness. His clothing was in contrast to the clothing of the religious leaders of the day. Their fine clothing was worn to draw attention to themselves and to make known that they were "holy" men. However Johns camel hair clothing was representative of the morning he had for the current state of Israel. His outward appearance was reflective of what was established in his heart that nothing of this world was going to distract him from his God-given purpose. Our sacrificing the distractions of this world, the things that clog our hearts, allows us to walk in the fullness of who God has called us to be. A holy lifestyle is required for us in this hour to prepare the way for the Lord.

Lifestyle of worship- John's sole focus was on the Messiah. Everything that he did was to point everyone toward Jesus. Our life must be lived to glorify the name of Jesus. How we handle the circumstances that we face at work must exalt him. Every response that we have toward our spouse or our kids, does it glorify our King? We have an opportunity to worship him in every action that we engage in throughout the day. If we seek to live so that he gets the glory then we will prepare a place for him.