Being Led by the Lost

hmmm....  you know, it's come to my attention that the more we live in church, the more likely we are to do and say the right things.  however...  speaking the language isn't the same as living the life.  and doing the right thing isn't the same as being righteous.

why are so many kids who go to church living like they're going to hell?  is it merely a question of peer pressure, and identity, and abandonment?  i'm not so sure.

here's what it all comes down to...

belief.  belief is what brings about salvation.  and belief is what brings about righteousness.  (galatians, chapter 3)  if there's no belief, there is no salvation... and there is no righteousness.  if there is belief, there is righteousness. 

am i oversimplifying?  is it really possible to be sinless?  isn't that what righteousness is?  the truth is, if i am in Christ, i may still commit sins... in fact, i know that i will.  but, if i am in Christ, i will sin less than i would have had i not believed.  (and less, and less, and less)  the irony is that the more i am conformed to the image of Christ, the more i recognize my sin, and realize my despair.  but my *hope* is in knowing that i am saved, through faith (belief) in Jesus Christ.

what does it mean to believe?  it means more than just saying so.  it's believing with all of my heart, soul and mind to such a point that it affects who i am...  because believing ushers in the Holy Spirit.  and i believe that there's no way for the Holy Spirit to enter a person's life without making visible and lasting (continuous) change.

that's the way i see it.