Growing Up in Church
I grew up in church. My mom or dad would drop my sister and me off at church from a young age, and we loved it. It took years before my parents started coming. Once they did, they fully committed themselves to Christ. They ended up being great examples to both my sister and me of how to live like Christ.
What It Means to Live in the World
Before they were both living in the world. What does it mean to live in the world? Doing anything that goes against what the Bible says.
1 John 2:15–17 (NIV)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
Just as you see in this verse, anything that doesn’t come from the Father is living in the world.
Living in the World but Not Like the World
Once you give your life to Jesus, we are to live in the world but not be like the world.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
What does it mean to live in the world but not be like the world? Anyone who has not given their lives to Christ does not live like Christ. Once you have given your life to Christ, you strive to be exactly like Him. He was sinless and perfect. We all know we can’t be perfect, but we can strive to be sinless. Some ways to do this are to read your Bible daily, pray constantly, build a relationship with Jesus, and try to have characteristics of Christ.
Being a Christian vs. Living for Christ
There is a huge difference between being a “Christian” and living for Christ. So many people say, “I’m a Christian,” and they are living like the world. The title of a Christian does not mean you have said a sinner’s prayer and asked Jesus into your heart and then go ahead and live like the rest of the world. It means you are no longer living like you did in the past. It means if you sin, you ask for forgiveness and try to never sin again. It means you start your day focused on God, and you keep that focus all day long.
My Testimony: Saved at Thirteen
I was saved when I was thirteen. I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and to come into my heart. I told Him I would live for Him for the rest of my life.
Romans 10:9–10 (NIV)
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
After I said this prayer, I lived for Jesus. I loved Him and wanted to make Him happy. But as a teen, I let my friends influence me, and I fell into temptation.
Living a Lukewarm Life
I started living like the world. I would go to church, ask for forgiveness, and then return to sin. I was living “lukewarm,” choosing both the world and God.
Revelation 3:15–16 (BSB)
“I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.”
Jesus rebuked the church of Laodicea for being self-sufficient and complacent. He wants us to be either passionately devoted (“hot”) or openly opposed (“cold”), not lukewarm.
God’s Wake-Up Call
When I was sixteen, I started working at Mazzio’s Pizza. After graduation, I met a man named Tom who was on fire for God. He prayed, sang Christian songs, and spoke about Jesus constantly. His example pulled me back to God. Because of how he lived, I started rebuilding my relationship with God and distancing myself from the friends who had led me astray.
Growing in Faith
I began attending church with Tom and grew closer to God than ever before. I experienced His joy and presence and found that nothing in the world could compare. I later helped with a ministry called “The Fire House,” teaching children about God’s love.
Falling Away Again
Later, after marriage, my husband joined a band, and I began spending time in bars to support him. Even though I was trying to be supportive, I felt deeply convicted. Each time, the Holy Spirit reminded me that this was not where I belonged. I was once again living a lukewarm life—trying to mix God’s ways with the world’s ways.
Returning to God
For years, God tugged at my heart. I finally chose to leave the world behind and return fully to Him. Since then, my faith has deepened. I now strive to live “hot” for God—on fire for Him every day.
Jesus suffered and died because of His love for us. He gave us a choice—to follow Him or not.
Matthew 13:42 (NIV)
“And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Heaven is eternal joy; hell is eternal separation and torment. Each of us must choose.
An Invitation
What will you choose? Will you choose Jesus or the world?
“Father, I know I’m a sinner, and I believe Your Son, Jesus, died for my sins and rose from the dead. Come into my heart, forgive my sins, and be my Lord and Savior. I give my life to You now to serve and follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you prayed this and believe it, you are now saved. Read your Bible daily, build a relationship with God, and get involved in a Bible-teaching church.
Praise God and welcome to the family!
Tina McChristian
My true passion is pleasing Jesus Christ and getting closer to him daily. I try to start each day by reading his word and trying to grow in him, my goal is to be just like Jesus. I want to be an example to my daughter, Alyssa, so she grows up to be a strong follower of God. I currently serve on the prayer team and worship team at Common Ground Church. I have been singing most of my life while singing, I hope to please God and give him the Glory.