Lifestyle

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body being many, are one body, so also is Christ.   ~   I Corinthians 12:12

In this scripture Paul compares the Body of Christ to the human body.  Our human body, even though it’s considered one body, has many members that make it up.  Some members of our human body may not seem all that important until you lose them.  Take for instance your fingernails, they may not seem all that vital, but if you were to lose them you’d find out that they perform many important functions for you.

The Body of Christ is the same way, every member is important to the overall health and function of the body.  As members of this one body we can’t pick and choose what part we are going to be, or where we are going to be placed at in the body.  Just as the members of our human body don’t get to decide where they are going to be, we as members of the Body of Christ don’t get to either.

It still amazes me that some people in the Body of Christ think they can pick and choose where they are going to be.  If they don’t like one place in the body they feel at liberty to move to another place in the body.  I can assure you that this is not a liberty that is granted by Jesus the Head of the Church.

Our lives will never truly be satisfying until we take our place in Christ’s body where we belong.  So, the next time you’re tempted to change your place in the body just remember these words from I Corinthians 12:18,  “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”

In this freedom Christ has made us free - completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery - which you have once put off.   ~   Galatians 5:1  Amplified Bible

Our forefathers came to this country seeking one main thing…  freedom!  Thank God they found it.  The United States has been, and still is one of the freest nations to ever exist.  But, over the years we had to stand for that freedom.  Sometimes we’ve even had to fight for it.  This is what the Apostle Paul is saying to the Galatians…  you have to fight and stand for the freedom that we have in Christ.

When we came to Christ He set us free from sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil.  So we ought to fight to stay as far away from them as we can.  I think that far too many believers try to stay as close to the old way of living, from which they’ve been delivered, without totally going back into the world.  But our thinking should be to see just how far away from our old lifestyle we can get.  As the Apostle Paul said, “to avoid the very appearance of evil.” 

We shouldn’t see how much we can look like the world and still get by with it.  We should come out from the midst of them and be different.  I said different, not weird.  You see, you can be different without being weird.  Leaders are always different.  So the next time you’re tempted to compromise a little just remember the words of Paul to the Galatians, and stand fast in the freedom with which Christ has made you free.  Thank God our founding fathers stood for freedom!

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.   ~   I Timothy 6:17

God wants us to enjoy life!  He wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him!  In the past some have painted a picture of Christianity as being low-key, can’t have much fun, and you probably should be kind of sad most of the time.  Not true!!

We believers should enjoy serving God.  However, there are some things that will hinder you from enjoying your relationship with God.  One thing is condemnation.  Always being down on yourself because you’re not perfect yet.  Get a clue…  you’re not!  Now, that’s not an excuse to live a sloppy life, but on your road to reaching for perfection give yourself a break.

Another thing is caring the cares of this life.  You’re not big enough to solve all your problems so why not let Father God take care of those things that concern you?  Another thing that will keep you from enjoying your relationship with God is a lack of trust in God’s guidance.  If you’re always concerned about your future you can’t enjoy the present.  Trust God to lead your life.

Lastly, legalism will strip you of joy.  Legalism is striving to obtain by works what God has provided by grace.  Quit striving and start enjoying the blessings of God.  If you’re a legalist you’ll always feel like you’re coming up short because you can never do enough.  Stop frustrating God’s grace in your life and just enjoy the wonderful relationship He has freely given to you!

Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house.   ~   Matthew 5:14,15

You’ll notice in this passage of scripture that Jesus tells us that we’re to shed light in two places — the world and at home.  If we’re only shedding light at church, then we have a real credibility problem.  The world won’t believe we’re the real deal, neither will those who live at home with us. 

If anyone knows the real us it’s those we live with everyday.  Are we kind and loving to those of our own household, or are we nasty and ugly with those who know us best?  What about out in public?  These days a lot of people display their public life out in the open through websites like Facebook.  Are you just as spiritual on Facebook as you are at church?  If not you have a real credibility issue. 

We shouldn’t just act holy at church, then be something else out in public.  Always remember, people are watching to see if you’re the real deal or just another hypocrite.  So then…  don’t act like a Christian at church then act like the devil’s cousin at home or in public.  Let’s strive to be the real deal wherever we are!