all truth is relative? false.

Some folks say, "all truth is relative--it just depends on what you believe"

"ya know, any man ain't really know for sure who God is or whats really true"

...but that means you believe your own statement.
that "there is no way to really know what is true"
you're sayin that that statement is true
you're killin yourself!

If what's true for you is true for you,
And what's true for me is true for me,
WHAT IF MY TRUTH SAYS YOURS IS A LIE?

...is it still true?
c'mon.

{Truth by Lecrae}

Statistically... I am a rebel?

Statistically, an average 20 year old woman in America is expected to be a part of the following:

• Nearly 50% of 15-19 year olds in the US have had sex at least once
• By age nineteen, 7 in 10 teens have engaged in sexual intercourse
• Past month alcohol use was reported by 62.0 percent of full-time college students compared to 50.8 percent of their counterparts who were not currently enrolled full-time
• About 9.7 million persons aged 12 to 20 reported drinking alcohol in the month prior to the survey interview in 2000
• Among youths who were heavy drinkers in 2000, 65.5 percent were also current illicit drug users.
• Approximately 2.1 million youths aged 12 to 17 had used inhalants at some time in their lives as of 2000

Statistically I would be considered a "conformist" to participate in underage drinking, illegal drug use, sexual activity...

but... I haven't conformed, so what am I?

a non-conformist? a rebel?
doesn't the word "rebel" have a negative connotation?

sure.

yet here it applies.

• I haven't had sex
• I don't get drunk... I don't even drink
• I don't smoke anything illegal
• I don't inject myself with any kind of illegal substance

Therefore, I am considered a REBEL {(n): one who resists or rises against some authority, control, or tradition} by definition.

"Pat me on the back. I beat the odds. Good for me! I am a good person! A sheltered, non-adventurous, safe girl! Way to be Sara--have a cookie."

False.

What is it that drives my rebellion? Restate that: Who is it that drives my rebellion?

Jesus Christ.

Apart from Him I am a hopeless case. He is more valuable to me than what mainstream American culture pitches as "valuable." He is more satisfying to me than sex, drugs, or getting wasted after a soccer game.

I long for consistency--He never changes.
I long for enjoyment--He is the source of joy.
I long to be in awe over something greater than myself--He is Creator.

Why settle for temporary pleasures when I can enjoy an eternal all-satisfying relationship with the Creator of the universe?

How can this be?

Jesus Christ died on the cross so that anyone who believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life. In our sinfulness, we are separated from God--Jesus is our ONLY remedy--who makes it possible for us to know God.

"Rebel" by Lecrae
"Man they swear they so gangsta but everyone's the same
everybody do the same stuff: tattoos, piercings
smokin' up and drinking; money and sex--
plus them extravagant weekends,
if that's the high life, I'll puff puff pass that--
you leave evaporated like you missing a gas cap,
I guess I'm passed that, cause I am in rebellion--
I'd rather have a dollar in my pocket than a mill-ion.
I'm scared to worship money, and my wants over Elyon,
I'll remain a rebel while the rest of them just carry on.
this is what I live fo, this the hill I'm buried on--
if Jesus is the truth
that means one of us is VERY wrong
think about it."


That is the ONLY reason I am a "rebel"--because of God's grace in Christ towards me and Him working in me.

Not anything I had to do with.

So join the rebellion---not without a cause.

But go to the root--recognize that the Bible is true, and it says, "all have sinned and fall short of God's glory" (Romans 3:23).

So many Americans consider themselves "Christian" yet we look at the statistical information of "most" of these same Americans... it doesn't add up. The Bible says "faith without works is dead." Therefore, if your actions don't align with your words... think about this and ask yourself if you truly treasure Christ above everything else in your life.

Then, we are invited to turn from evil, and trust in Christ who has taken your punishment on the cross--then His righteousness can be counted as yours.

And enjoy God forever. it's that simple.

Christ is the focus. God gets the glory.

Romans 3: 21 - 26
21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

SGS