Getting In OR Fitting In?

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." 

Yesterday one of my Facebook friends posted a picture that said "If we don't teach our children to follow Christ the world will teach them not to".  I couldn't agree more with that statement. In fact, my co-workers and I conversed about this earlier in the day. It still amazes me that God literally has a Word for every situation we will face. The above scripture is perfect for parents, teachers, older siblings, and etc. Back in the day people used to say "it takes a village to raise a child"; actually, my Pastor still says it at all baby dedications. We fail to realize that EVERY adult that a child comes in contact with affects their life in some way. Question is, how?

As adults and more-so as Christians we should lead by example. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "Oh that's okay now, times are changing" or "Accept it, that's the kind of world we live in". Yes I'm aware that the world is changing, but according to The Word I'm not supposed to conform to this world. That Word is timeless so no matter how much the world or the things in it change we must remember that the Word and all of its principles remain the same. THAT is the foundation we should stand on, THOSE are the standards we should live by, and THAT'S what we should teach our children; not because we say so but because we do so. The ways of the world are very confusing because the world is confused. God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) His Word is very clear and if you feel/think differently ask Him for understanding. Be a person that a child looks at and says "I want to be like that when I grown up" versus the person a child looks at and says "I DON'T want to be like that when I grow up" Solidarity is needed in the village that it takes to raise a child, we must know the Word well enough to live it and teach it to our children.

I remember back in the 90's "W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do)" was a popular phrase. There were necklaces, t-shirts, and bracelets and EVERYONE had one. Guess what though? You can't know what Jesus would do if you don't A) Know who Jesus is and B) Know what Jesus did. Jesus did many things one being LEAD and He did so because we were a misguided people. God couldn't get through to us with our sinful thoughts and ways of the world so He sent His Son to lead by example. Jesus showed us what God wanted from us. Jesus showed us that yes there will be storms (Mark 4:35-41) but God controls that and yes the devil will tempt you (Matthew 4:1-11) but the long term benefits of being obedient to God outweighs the temporary "benefit" of falling into the temptations of the devil. Ultimately Jesus lead us to the cross where He died for every single one of our sins. He didn't go against God to fit in in this world He went against the world to get in to heaven.

So are you getting in or fitting in?