Low Expectations

Recently, there has been a movement gaining ground in the church regarding the low expectations for teenagers (the major proponents being the Alex and Brett Harris, through their ministry, The Rebelution) and how those low expectations lead to low achievement levels; as far as that goes, I believe it is altogether true. I would say, however, that it is not merely that adults have low expectations of teenagers, but that it is farther-reaching than that...people have low expectations all around - even adults are not expected to stand up and say "Yes, by the grace of God, I can and will live like God wants me to live, shunning sin, and actively obeying His will!" Instead, we have an "Oh woe is me, I'm a miserable wretched sinner, and I'll never live up to God's will for me!" kind of Christianity. This attitude is insipid childishness, and ought to be laid aside along with all the other weights and the sin so that we can run our race in righteousness and true holiness.

Reminds me of the Newsboys song "I'm Not Ashamed"

"What are we sneakin' around for -- who're we tryin' to please?
Shruggin' off sin, apologizin' like we're spreadin' some kind of disease
I'M SAYIN' NO WAY...NO WAY..."

The life of groveling as a miserable (yet saved) sinner is easy, because sin does not have to be given up - merely confessed...and those who are thus wallowing in the mire will try their hardest to drag down any who would truly take the Saviour's hand and stand out of such a vile existence - which makes it even harder for us who desire righteous, godly living to stand, since everyone around us is doing their best to make us fall back. We must therefore do as Paul instructs Timothy, and be as warriors,taking the whole armour of God and remaining untangled with the affairs of this life, in order that we may fight the good fight and receive the prize that awaits those who endure to the end.

Perhaps I am just rambling to no effect, but I hope to God that I am not. I only desire to provoke my brothers and sisters in the Lord to follow after holiness, without which, not one of us shall see the Lord.