"Duck Dynasty's" Sadie Robertson and friend Kolby Koloff released week three's devotional video, "The New Different," Monday evening. Because Sadie was in New York, Kolby gave the message this week. The two girls began making these videos to encourage those who know Christ to pattern themselves after His Word and not the world.
"Being different is about standing out, not being involved in worldly things," Koloff said starting out. She read Phil 3:17-20:
"Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior" (New Living Translation).
"Do not put your faith and your focus on worldly things," said Koloff. She encouraged believers in Christ to store up treasures in heaven, rather than on here on earth (see Matthew 6:19-21), as many spend their time and their money on material things which don't last forever. "Once you get to heaven, you're not going to have [material possessions], and God is going to look at your heart," she said.
Focusing on external actions without addressing the human heart is futile. While many may believe that good behavior will make them right with God, the Bible teaches that God instead looks at our hearts to see whether we have faith in His Son (see 1 Samuel 16:7).
Those who have not placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ cannot be saved - no matter how many good things they do, or how hard they try to follow God's commands. Jesus is the only One who can save us from our sin - we cannot "make it up" to God by trying to be good. Only by receiving, welcoming Jesus as your Savior and God can you have a right relationship with Him.
Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross to take away our sin, was buried, and rose from the grave three days later. He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for those who have placed all of their trust in Him - we cannot put our trust in ourselves.
Next week's video should be posted on the girls' new Twitter account, @thenewdifferent.
