Christian
Living
Companion Article:
Don't Look Back...Press On!
Study of the Bible will invariably challenge your emotions. Your
emotions can often influence what you think about God. The Bible teaches
us that our familiar ways are inherently evil and the way we see things
will need to change if we are to obtain wisdom and ultimately, salvation.
In spite of our perceived level of intelligence, education or heartfelt
beliefs, we are in no way as wise as the word of God reveals. Heartiness
and arrogance is the fastest way to condemnation. For example, the
Bible says,
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my
ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"
(Isaiah 55:9).
This is exemplified when we diligently study and maintain a sense
of "self-honesty" that God's wisdom reveals to us throughout
our lives. It is a life-long process.
One of the reasons and certainly not the only reason, that some people
reject the biblical teaching of unconditional election is that it
seems to be out of sync with what we feel. In some cases scriptures
appear difficult or in conflict - like the compassion of God for people
or the moral accountability of people before God. It seems to many
that God can't choose unconditionally to save some and not others
and then also feel compassion for those he does not choose, yet hold
them accountable for their sin. The fact of the matter is that in
reality, God is isn't doing the choosing, we are as individuals.
He simply has provided the word so that we might voluntarily choose
eternal life over death. God is pure love and just as you might punish
the child you love, you still have compassion for them.
The problem here is that our intuition for what is right or possible
for God does not fit Scripture. The danger of this ignorance is that
we shape scripture to fit our feelings. This is most prevalent in
those people who attend a church because of the way they feel or how
they've come to understand scripture in a way that fits their lifestyle.
They choose God on the condition of their 'happy factor'
(so-to-speak). Subconsciously, the thought goes something like this:
"I want to serve God in every way I can as long as I can
keep living with my girlfriend, having casual sex, doing drugs, maintain
my social status, etc". Or, "I will work for God as long
as He works for me".
These subconscious thoughts seem somewhat extreme but its exactly
what is going on in the heads of the people who place conditions on
serving God. Whether they would acknowledge it or not, anytime God
is not first in our lives, he is second or something other than first.
In some peoples lives, He doesn't even make the list half the time.
Yet these very conditions are what keeps us from 'knowing' God and
His nature and receiving the full opportunity of His blessings.
Living a life in Christ is the most rewarding experience you could
ever have. When unconditional surrender is achieved, It is filled
with blessings beyond what you could ever expect or dream of on your
own. It means living a life filled with confidence and joy knowing
that you are totally loved in spite of your shortcomings. It means
knowing where you will be when this vapor of an existence is over.
When you think about it this way, then few things become important
in this mortal life other than increasing your relationship with God.
Love by fallible man is volatile, love by the infallible God is forever
stable.
In spite of popular belief, living a life in Christ is not walking
around destitute and looking miserable carrying your Bible pretending
to be happy. Nor does it mean you have to stand on a corner preaching
the end of the world to passersby in a vain attempt to prove your
faith. It doesn't mean you have to "catch the spirit" falling
out in the floor like a fool or giving up your whole paycheck to the
church. It doesn't mean you have to live a wholly legalistic life
full of church specified restrictions and around people who don't
really like you. Such things do not represent true Christian living.
This doesn't mean there aren't rules to follow or that you aren't
subject to being reprimanded by God for bad behavior after you've
accepted Him and been in obedience. God knows you will not live a
completely sinless life. He expects perseverence but His grace is
not a license to sin or do as you please. God is more fair than most
people are willing to accept. The scriptures is the rule book and
the restrictions are only on things that you probably know you shouldn't
be doing anyway. Lying, cheating, stealing, slandering, murdering,
fornicating and cursing among other things are obvious sins. Some
sins are not so obvious but its amazing what you can learn about yourself
from the study of God's word and personal honesty on your part. It
is a revitalizing experience once you overcome any apprehensions of
your character. God knows your heart so you can't fake it.
God asks that you worship Him on the first day of the week and tells
you how to worship Him. He also asks that you not forsake the assembly
with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. All this is for your
benefit. There is nothing 'legalistic' about being a Christian but
you must have the self-motivation to grow spiritually and build your
relationship with God.
God wants to bless his children and desires for us to lead spirit
filled, prosperous lives. It is not a sin to have wealth as a Christian
provided your heart remains true to Him. He wants you to have the
desires of your heart (providing your motives are correct). But to
receive God's blessings in this mortal life, you must first
love Him totally and completely.
Mat.
22:37 Jesus said to him, You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your
soul, and with all your mind.
What this means is that you must change nearly every aspect of the
way you think about this life and the things that you were taught
to be important regarding it. Whatever it is that you think is important
in this world is least important to God. Why? Because your sight should
be set on that which is above and beyond and not on things of this
world. He is all powerful and if you truly trust in Him, He'll take
care of whatever problems that trouble you in this short existence.
God wants your complete and undivided attention, 100% of the time
so that you can listen to what He wants of you. He will take care
of the trifling issues you have such as paying your bills, getting
the car fixed, and even recovering from your soon to be foreclosed
home. To love God completely means to implicitly rely on Him for everything
you need both small and large and to 'trust' in Him on all things
mental, moral, physical and spiritual. This is usually no easy task
since most Christians struggle with 'control' and wrestle with God
over what they want or think should be done and in what time they
want it done. But this is a little like being hungry and biting the
hand that is feeding you because to you it seems that the spoon is
not reaching the mouth fast enough.
We must also remember that it is not in our nature to do what is
right. Paul speaks of our nature in Rom. 7:14-25
concerning the struggles between the flesh and the spirit and it manifests
itself essentially in our struggles for earthly pleasures against
matters spiritual and of God. Has it ever occurred to you that
'sin' is pleasurable? If it wasn't, then you wouldn't want to do it.
Sin has to incite desires of our fleshly minds or it wouldn't work.
There isn't a single person in this world who hasn't had sinful desires
and failed. The only person to ever walk this earth that didn't was
Jesus.
Suffice to say that if you are struggling between the flesh and the
spirit, then it's a clear sign that you are probably on the right
track. Satan doesn't bother you when he knows he has you. But as soon
as you convert to a life in Christ, he increases his efforts to bring
you back into darkness. This is especially so with newborn Christians
who have not developed the spiritual strength to resist temptations.
Think of a helpless newborn baby. Naked, hungry and crying for comfort.
Spiritually, there is little difference. This is why it is critically
important for new Christians to be nurtured in the word of God after
being converted and for the rest of the body of Christ to support
new converts with a fervent love. Eventually, Satan will give up the
onslaught and wait for a weak moment and attempt to overthrow you
again and again. After a while with growth in the spirit and diligence
in prayer and study, you can see it coming and avoid sin more effectively.
Living a life in Christ means denying the desires of the flesh and
the temporary pleasures of this world. It means enjoying a love shared
with God and fellow brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, which
is His church and forsaking the things of this world for the things
above. Jesus said it best;
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added to you.
Mat 11:29-30 - "Take My yoke on you and learn of Me,
for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your
souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
