When I was a little boy, my mother would often caution us against blindly following the lead of others. She would say, "If everyone else jumps into the lake—does that mean that you should too?" The answer of too many people to that question is an emphatic, and tragic, yes!

We are strongly influenced by people around us. Often the actions of others draw us simply because it seems everybody is doing it. Few people give serious thought to consequences or to the future.

We have seen the millions in Germany following the goose step of a fanatic dictator to early graves and ruined lives. We read about the tens of thousands who marched together into disillusionment and suffering in the armies of the Crusades, Napoleon and Genghis Khan. We know of the millions who devoted their lives to the growth of communism.

We Are Followers

It is obvious in clothing fads, activities we engage in, trends and styles that people are, by and large, followers. "Where you lead me I will follow" we may have said as little children when thinking of Jesus Christ, but in reality, most follow the paths that the majority of people about us take. Most people do not do that which seems wrong to them. They believe they are doing something that is right and good (Proverbs 14:12).

It is rare to find a person who thinks deeply and makes his or her choices based on logic, observation, good advice and, most importantly of course, the Holy Scriptures.

Choices are easy just as long as everyone else is doing it. When a person determines to do the right thing, no matter the consequences, then that person is showing signs of strength and the ability to think clearly.

In 1 Corinthians 15:33 God inspired Paul to caution members not to be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." We use sayings such as "One rotten apple can spoil the barrel" to help us remember certain guidelines to living well. One good apple tossed into a barrel of rotten apples will not change the bad apples to good ones. Yet, so many Christians naively believe that this can happen.

There is a huge amount of energy and zeal, enthusiasm and drive in the young. This is vital to progress and when properly directed, results in success and accomplishments. For the masses, though, this exuberance is often manipulated and used for purposes that only result in disillusionment, regrets and pain. Humanity has not yet learned that there is only one way to live—God's way.

Our attitudes and beliefs need to be guarded and inspected often. It is a human tendency to avoid the extra effort that is often needed to reach the highest levels of a relationship with God. It is not easy nor is it natural for we humans to stand against the whole society about us. That, however, is exactly what God expects of us! God gives clear guidelines in the Holy Scriptures for a lifestyle that promotes liberty and happiness.

Liberty Carries Responsibilities

Liberty carries responsibility for choices and actions with it and ought not to be confused with license. God tells us that this society will not tolerate His way of life. In John 17:14 - 15 Jesus asked the Father to keep His people from the evil one. He said His followers "are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." We are not living in the world God supports and loves. He loves the people of this world and is determined to end the blindness, hardheartedness, greed and other vices that plague all of our societies.

Back to the wisdom of my mother's remarks. The easiest thing to do is to go along with the status quo. "Don't rock the boat," people will say. In Matthw 7:13-14 Jesus said to "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." God did not leave much room for those who are quick and eager to jump into the lake with everyone else. Just because everyone else is doing it, that does not make it right.

God has taken to Himself the task of forcing us to think for ourselves, guided by His Word, and to think correctly. We all have the freedom to reject God's work because He wants free "children of obedience" in His family (1 Peter 1:14). He wants those who can make good and right decisions when they have been given God's Word and the understanding of truth.

This is not much different than a scientist learning to think for himself, but guided by the laws of science. He would be insane to cast those laws aside and try to work in the field of science without knowing and using the laws of the physical universe around him. Most people, sad to say, are content to let someone else think for them in so many vital aspects of life. Some manage to bury their heads in the sand for their whole lives.

Courage and Determination

God did not promise an easy life for His followers. He said it would take a great deal of courage and determination to enter eternal life. Developing and building these and other powerful and valuable character traits pleases God greatly. Jesus Christ suffered for us and He was perfected by what He suffered. Since we are to walk in His footsteps, we too are allowed to suffer sometimes.

1 Peter 5:1 is a strong admonition to the elders who have been given the privilege of serving the children God has chosen. This is a huge responsibility. Peter goes on to say in verse 6 to allow God to lead our lives. He then tells us in verses 8 - 10 that we are to be serious and thoughtful in how we conduct our lives. We are to steadfastly look to God for guidance because Satan has been given control over the affairs of this world and since he is God's adversary, he is our adversary too. As we yield to God's hand and resist the ways of this world, God will in due time perfect, establish and strengthen us.

It seems that it does us a lot of good to take a firm and strong stand based on "truth." It builds character. In the smaller scale of things such as growing up in a family with a mother such as I had, some of that kind of character was formed in all of her children.

To follow the lamp of goodness, justice, righteousness, honesty and outgoing concern, no matter what the cost, is the only way of liberty and peace. Sleep comes easily and is sweet for those who allow God to do His handiwork in their lives.

Standing on the Edge

How about you? Are you standing on the edge of the lake watching the actions of others and if they jump in, will you jump into the lake too?

We all have much too much work to do to waste our years watching others. Let us be about our Father's business and let us keep our wits about us at every turn of the road. We are to come out of this world. The difficult path becomes the most beautiful and satisfying.