Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Romans 6:11-12

 My wife and I just got back from a 4-day vacation in Kentucky. We visited three venues: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, The Ark Encounter, and the Creation Museum. The Shaker Village was at one time home to over 500 members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly called “Shakers”, who lived as a group of sisters and brothers in Christ. They were very specific about how they lived, worshipped, and worked. Everything from the room we stayed in, the buildings, windows, chairs, tables and so forth, was themed after their structured lives. For us, it was foreign, but certainly helped us understand how their way of life was central to the heart of the God they worshipped.

 As children of God, we should have the same attitude about how our life should be lived. Every aspect of our life should be themed after Christ words of wisdom and how He lived His life. Unfortunately, we oftentimes have rooms in our heart that don’t resemble the Christian lifestyle, hiding within its corners are sinful attitudes, actions, and thoughts, that take away the influence our life has on others, especially those outside the faith. We might not think about the influence we have on others, but the truth is our life as Christians should be like a bright light that exposes the darkness of sin. The light’s exposure should convict others, making them want to desire to live in a similar fashion as Jesus.

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

 Take time today to question your life, do all areas of your life carry the same theme of Christ, or are there any areas that don’t resemble the light of Christ? If so, ask God to help transform your heart, mind, and soul, to be partakers of the truth so your life can positively influence those in your corner of this big world.