1
2
Li f e s t y l e Ch r i s t i a n i t y
Maj orI f orJ ackson
3
Al lr i ght sr es er ved.Nopar toft hi sbookmaybe us edorr epr oduc edi nanymannerwhat s oever wi t houtwr i t t enper mi s s i on,exc epti nt hec as eof br i efquot at i onsembodi edi nc r i t i c alar t i c l esor r evi ews . Š2017I f orJ ac ks on. Publ i s hedbyTheCapt ai n' sLi br ar y c apt ai ns l i br ar y@net s hoppi ng. c om
4
TheWay Formos tofmyl i f et i mewehavebeenpr ayi ngi nour c hur c hesf orbel i ever si nl andswher eChr i s t i ani t yi s oppr es s edandi t sf ol l ower sper s ec ut ed.Ineverdr eamt t hatt her ewoul d appeart obeadayon t hehor i zon when t hatpl ac ewoul d beGr eatBr i t ai n;butwear e get t i ngt her e. Youhaveal lr eadt hes t or i es ;ac hai nofc har i t ys hops f or bi dsadi s pl ayof‘ r el i gi ous ’Chr i s t masc ar ds ,at own c ounc i lr enamesChr i s t mast he‘ Wi nt erFes t i val ’and anot herf or bi dsanyr ef er enc et oJ es usorHi sbi r t hi n t hec i vi cc ar olc onc er t .The‘ t houghtpol i c e’haveaf i el d dayatChr i s t mas ,t hei mpor t antChr i s t i anmar ki ngof Whi t s un or Pent ec os thasbeen r epl ac ed by Spr i ng Bank Hol i day, t he c r os s i s r emoved f r om t he c r emat or i um c hapel .Iam s ur et hatyouc oul daddt o t hel i s t . Whi l eal lt hi si shappeni ngmuezzi nsc r ydai l yf r om t hei rmi nar et s ,i nt ownsandc i t i est hr oughoutBr i t ai n, “ Ther ei sno God butAl l ah and Mohammed i sHi s Pr ophet ” .Iam notgoi ngt odi s agr eewi t ht hes t at ement , but I do t ake exc ept i on t o t he i mpl i c at i on t hat Mohammed i st heonl ypr ophetwhot aughtt heonl y way.I nmanyt ownst hec al li sampl i f i edt oc ar r yasf ar aspos s i bl e;c hur c hesr ec ei vei nj unc t i onsbec aus et hei r bel l s‘ di s t ur bt hepeac e’ 5
WhatIwoul dr eal l yl i ket oknow i s ,c anIbepr os ec ut ed i fIquot et hewor dsofChr i s t ,“ Iam t heWay,t heTr ut h andt heLi f e,nomanc omet ht ot heFat herbutbyMe?” CanIs ayt hatever ybodyel s ei swr ong? Tomei t ’ sl i ke aoneways ys t em:t her ei snoc hoi c e.Youc angot he wr ongwayi fyouwant ,youc anevenus et hewr ong wayl aneon t hemot or wayi fyou wi s h;butyou wi l l s oonf i ndoutt hatyouar ewr ong. Oneoft heear l i es tnamesf orChr i s t i answas‘ TheWay’ , wef i ndi ti nAc t s9: 12,f orexampl e: 1. The n Saul ,s t i l lbr e at hi ng t hr e at s and mur de ragai ns tt hedi s c i pl e soft heLor d,we nt t ot hehi ghpr i e s t 2. and as ke d l e t t e r sf r om hi m t o t he s ynagogue sofDamas c us ,s ot hati fhef ound anywho we r eoft heWay,whe t he rme n or wome n, he mi ght br i ng t he m bound t o J e r us al e m. Theus eoft hephr as eher eandel s ewher es ugges tt hat i twasus edt oi dent i f yapeopl ewhohadf oundwhat t heys aw ast heonl yway.Thebi gques t i oni s ,“ Ar ewe doi ng enough t o def end our pos i t i on asChr i s t i ans , peopl ewhobel i evet hatt her ei sonl yonewayt oGod?” Paulwr ot et o Ti mot hy ( I ITi m.1: 13) ,“ Hol df as tt he pat t er nofs oundwor dswhi c hyouhavehear df r om me, i nf ai t handl ovewhi c har ei nChr i s tJ es us . ”Whatwas t hatt eac hi ng,t hos es ound wor ds ?I twast hatgos pel whi c hdec l ar edJ es usChr i s tast heWay. 6
Do we t end t os epar at e whatwe t hi nk ofas our Chr i s t i an l i vesf r om ourever ydayl i ves ?On Sundays andwhi l ewear ei nc hur c h,wer ec ogni zet hatwear e Chr i s t i ans .Butt henMondayc omesandwef or getwho wear e.Ri ghtl i vi ng,however ,i snott ober es t r i c t edt oa bui l di ngoraday.Pauli nEphes i ans5doesnots ayt hat t her ear eonl yc er t ai nt i meswes houl ds how l ovet o ot her s( v. 2) ,abs t ai nf r om i mmor al i t y( v. 3) ,andavoi d f i l t hy l anguage ( v4) .On t he c ont r ar y,we ar et o be c ar ef uli nt hewaywel i ve( v.15) ,andmaket hemos tof ourt i me( v.16) . Ar e you pr ac t i c i ng what I am c al l i ng Li f es t yl e Chr i s t i ani t y?Doyour eal i zet hatyourt es t i monyi son t hel i neever yday?Ther ear enot i meswhen i t ' sal l r i ghtt ol oweryours t andar ds .Li vi ngf orJ es usi san ever ymomentac t i vi t y. ThomasChi s hol m wr ot ei nhi shymn: Li vi ngf orJ e s us ,al i f et hati st r ue , St r i vi ngt opl e as eHi mi nal lt hatIdo; Yi e l di ngal l e gi anc e ,gl adhe ar t e dandf r e e , Thi si st hepat hwayofbl e s s i ngf orme . So l etusexpl or e Li f es t yl e Chr i s t i ani t y and whati t meanst obeaChr i s t i an.
7
Li f es t yl eChri s t i ani t y-Wal ki ngwi t hChri s t
† I nt roduct i on Wewer es i t t i ngi nac af éi nas ubur bofManc hes t er . Thr ough t hewi ndowsoft hec or nerwher ewes atI obs er ved t he pas s er s by. I was i nt r i gued by t he di ver s i t y of t hei r dr es s ;t hey c ame f r om many bac kgr ounds ,c ul t ur esandr el i gi ousbac kgr ounds .AsI wat c hedIbegant or eal i zehow eas yi twast or ec ogni s e manyoft her el i gi ousgr oups ;t woort hr eebr anc hesof J udai s m,hal fadozenMus l i ms ec t s ,Hi ndus ,Si khs–but how doIdi s t i ngui s haChr i s t i an,t hepeopl ewhohave beent ol dnott ohi det hei rl i ghtunderabuc ket ? What i s ,i ndeed t he di s t i nc t i venes s ofa Chr i s t i an? What mar ksaf ol l owerofChr i s t ? I tmakesmeas k mys el f ,“ Whati saChr i s t i an?”The ans werdoes n’ tl i ei nwhatwewearoreveni nhow we wor s hi p,i ti ss omet hi ng mor e.So l et us r emi nd our s el ves ,eveni fi tmeansgoi ngovers omepoi nt st hat mays eem obvi ous .
8
1.Whati saChri s t i an?
News i t ems c ar r ys uc h des i gnat i ons as :-Chr i s t i an Mi l i t i a,Bos ni an Chr i s t i ans ,and Lebanes e Chr i s t i ans . Wehaveoneki ndofChr i s t i an i n bi t t erc onf l i c twi t h anot herki ndofChr i s t i an.Aswer eadt hes er epor t swe as kour s el ves ,‘ Whati smeantbyaChr i s t i an?’Whati s aChr i s t i an? ’I nourSoc i et ywehavel ar genumber sof peopl ewhowoul ddes c r i bet hems el vesasChr i s t i ansnotj us tt hegr oupst hatwer ead abouti nr epor t sof war sandc onf l i c t s ,butal s onear erhome-whof al la l ong way s hor tofwhatt he Bi bl e des c r i besast he Chr i s t i an Way.They ar e nomi nalor nonpr ac t i s i ng Chr i s t i ans . I ti sc l eart hataChr i s t i ani saf ol l owerofChr i s t ’ sWay. Can I put anot her name t o t he Way?– Li f es t yl e Chr i s t i ani t y.Wehearal otaboutl i f es t yl es ,t hi si st he r eall i f ec hangi ngone;al i f es t yl et hatpr oc l ai mst hat J es usi st heChr i s tand t heonl yt r ueWay. Is aw a quot at i ons omewher e,“ I fyouwer ebr oughtt ot r i alf or bei ngaChr i s t i an,woul dt her ebeenoughevi denc et o c onvi c tyou?” Many peopl et hi nk t hat l i vi ng a Chr i s t i an l i f ei s f ol l owi ngac odeof“ t hou s hal tnot ”i nj unc t i onst hat t heyc ons i dert obear c hai c .Thi si snott hec as e,i ti sa wayofl i vi ngone' sl i f ei nt hewayt hatGodwant sust o t ake.Ic ame ac r os st hi s quot at i on i n an ol d dai l y 9
r eadi ngs book,“ Chr i s t i ani t yi s nota way ofdoi ng c er t ai nt hi ngsbutac er t ai nwayofdoi ngal lt hi ngs . ”— I not herwor ds' Li f es t yl eChr i s t i ani t y’ ◊◊◊◊◊◊ So,l etusl ook att heques t i on c ar ef ul l y:“ Whati sa Chr i s t i an?” Fi r s t l yaChr i s t i ani saf ol l owerofChr i s t . Thatmays eem obvi ousandl ogi c al ,buts omepeopl e onl yl ookt oJ es ust heman,manyf ol l ow atadi s t anc e and s ol os es i ghtoft hel eaderot her sj us tc ar r yt he name. Fol l ower sofJ es ust he man,t he gr eatt eac herof t en over l ookt hef ac tt hathei sal s ot heSon ofGod;t he Mes s i ahorChr i s t .Hedi dnotc omej us tasat eac herofa c ode ofc onduc toret hi c s .To bel i eve t hatone i sa ‘ J es us i an’ ,af ol l owerofJ es ust heman;notaChr i s t i an whoi saf ol l oweroft hel i vi ngChr i s t . Thef ol l owerofJ es ust hemanl ac ksi nhi sf ol l owi ngas doeshewho f ol l owsf r om af ar ;af r ai dt oc omei nt o c ont ac twi t ht he Chr i s t .He di s t anc eshi ms el fs of ar f r om t he t r ut ht hathe no l onger c an s ee i t .Wi t h bl ur r edvi s i onhes t umbl esashet r i est or eac hhi sgoal . Some,many,j us tbeart henameofChr i s t i an l i kea badgeoras l oganonat ees hi r t .Someonehass ai dt hat t heonl ypeopl ewhowearOxf or dUni ver s i t yt ees hi r t s ar et hos ewhohaveneverbeent her e.Wehaveal ls een 10
peopl ei nt ees hi r t s ,s weat s hi r t sorf oot bal ls t r i pt hat pr oc l ai m t hem t obes omet hi ngors omeonet heyar e not .I ti seas yt os t i c kal abeloni t–nots oeas yt obe whati ts ays .I ’ ves eendozensofpeopl eofal ls hapes ands i zeswi t ht henameofawel lknownpl ayeront he bac koft hei rf oot bal ls hi r t ,butIdon’ tt hi nkt hatt hey wi l lbepl ayi ngonSat ur day.Theper s onwhos ays ,“ I am aChr i s t i an”wi t houtaper s onalknowl edgeofChr i s t i sanevenbi ggers ham. ◊◊◊◊◊◊ Movi ng on a s t ep f ur t hert oas ec ond def i ni t i on.A Chr i s t i ani saf ol l owerofChr i s t ’ st eac hi ng.( Thi si st he har dbi t . ) Ihave al r eady s ai dt hatt he mer ef ol l owi ng oft he t eac heri snotenough;wehavet ol ook beyond t he vaguei deat hatJ es usc amet ot eac hust obegoodand exami newhatHer eal l yt aught . Het aughtt hatwemus tbebor nagai n.Thi si swhatwe mi ghtc al l‘ bac kt obas i c s ’ ,i ti st hees s ent i als t ar t i ng poi nt .“ Exc eptamanbebor nagai n, ”s ayst heLor d,“ he c annots ee t he ki ngdom ofGod. ”We mus tbe bor n agai ni nt ot hef ami l yofChr i s t i ans .Bi l l yGr aham onc e s ai dt hatbei ngbor ni n agar agedoes n’ tmakeyou a mot orc ar–butt her ebi r t hmakesyouaChr i s t i an. Thes ec ondt hi ngt hatHet aughtwast ol oveGodand our f el l ow man.Not i c et hat t hes et wo t hi ngs go 11
t oget heri nt het eac hi ngofJ es us . Mat t hew 22:3740 Thous hal tl ovet heLor dt hyGodwi t hal lt hyhe ar t , andwi t hal lt hys oul ,andwi t hal lt hymi nd. Thi si st hef i r s tandgr e atc ommandme nt . Andt hes e c ondi sl i keunt oi t ,Thous hal tl ovet hy ne i ghbourast hys e l f . Ont he s et woc ommandme nt shangal lt hel awand t hepr ophe t s . Hes ays ,quot i ngf r om Levi t i c usandDeut er onomy.To bef ai t hf ult ot hes ec ommandment sdemand not hi ng l es st hanf ul l ,t ot al ,c ompl et ec ommi t ment . I ti swi t hs uc hc ommi t menti nmi ndt hatwec omet o t he t hi r d as pec t of Hi st eac hi ng;s epar at i on f r om wor l dl i nes s . Wehavet obec ar ef ulher et hatwedonott aket hei dea outofi t sf r amewor k,asmanyhavedonei nt hepas t . Amongs tot hert ext swef i nd t hatJ es uss ai d,“ Ihave c hos en you out of t he wor l d” ( J ohn 15: 19) and “ whoeverofyoudoesnotf or s akeal lt hathehasc annot beMydi s c i pl e. ”( Luke14: 33) ;Paulwr i t es ,“ Comeout f r om amongt hem andbes epar at e”( 2Cor i nt hi ans6: 17) . Att hes amet i me,par adoxi c al l yi twoul ds eem,wear e enj oi nedt ogoi nt ot hewor l d,t oc ar ef ort hos ewhoar e s i c ki nbodyands oul ,t os eekt hel os t ,t ol ovet hos ewho ar eas t r ay.I not herwor ds ,asi sof t ens ai d,t obei nt he wor l dbutnotoft hewor l d. 12
◊◊◊◊◊◊ Chr i s t Hi ms el f ,when on ear t h,was t he gr eat es t exampl eofHi sownt eac hi ng.Hedi dnotj us tt al k;He di d. I tf ol l ows ,t her ef or e,t hata Chr i s t i an i snotonl ya f ol l owerofChr i s t ’ st eac hi ng;heChr i s t i ani saf ol l ower ofChr i s t ’ sexampl e. ABi bl i c alphr as et hatal waysc at c hesmyi magi nat i oni s Pet er ’ sdes c r i pt i onofJ es ust oCor nel i usi nAc t s10:“ He wentaboutdoi ng good” .I ndeed when we r ead t he Gos pelac c ount si ts eemst hatwheneverwemeetJ es us , i fHei snotac t ual l ydoi ngs omet hi ngf ors omebody,He i sei t herj us tgoi ngt odoorhasbeendoi ng.Hedi dn’ t bec omeChr i s tbec aus eHewentaboutdoi nggood;He wentaboutdoi nggoodbec aus eHewasChr i s t :wedon’ t bec omeChr i s t i ansbec aus ewes er veordogood;was s er ebec aus ewear eChr i s t i ans( Ephes i ans2: 10,“ Forwe ar eHi swor kmans hi p,c r e at e di nChr i s tJ e s usf orgood wor ks ,whi c hGodpr e par e dbe f or e handt hatwes houl d wal ki nt he m. ”) I n Hi swor k amongs tt hepeopl eand i n Hi sway of l i vi ng,J es uswasnots el f s eeki ng;i twoul ds eem t hatHe pos s es s ednot hi ngandwant ednot hi ng–asHes aysi n t hef ami l i arver s e,“ Thef oxeshavehol es ,andt hebi r ds oft heai rhavenes t s ;butt heSon ofman hat h not wher et ol ayhi shead. ”( Mat t hew 8: 20) .ButHeal s o 13
enj oi nsas i mi l arat t i t udef r om Hi sdi s c i pl es ,“ Takeno t houghtf oryourl i f e,whatyes hal leat ;nei t herf ort he body,whatyes hal lputon.… … Butr at hers eekyet he ki ngdom ofGod. ”( Luke12) .Thei mpor tofwhatHei s s ayi ng i st hatwe s houl d notgi ve ourown c omf or t pr i or i t y;i ti st he wor dl i ng who s ays ," Look af t er numberone. "J es usdi d notputHi ms el ff i r s t ,t her e wer eot her st oc ons i der . Mat t hew 16:2426 “ Thens ai dJ es usunt ohi sdi s c i pl es ,I fanymanwi l l c omeaf t erme,l ethi m denyhi ms el f ,andt akeuphi s c r os s ,andf ol l ow me. Forwhos oeverwi l ls ave hi sl i f es hal ll os ei t :and whos oeverwi l ll os ehi sl i f ef ormys akes hal lf i ndi t . Forwhati samanpr of i t ed,i fhes hal lgai nt hewhol e wor l d,andl os ehi sowns oul ?orwhats hal lamangi ve i nexc hangef orhi ss oul ?”Thi si st heChr i s t i an’ sl i f e– “ TheWay”-asJ es uss aw i t ,al t hough Hehasmuc h mor et os ay.I tdoesnots eem t hatHehadmuc hc onc ept ofwhat ,i nt hemoder ni di om,i sc al l edac omf or tzone. If i ndal lt hi shar dt ot akei n;butIhavet ot akeaver y goodl ookatt hes ei deasi fIwantt obear ealChr i s t i an.
14
2.TheLi f es t yl eChri s t i an Ephes i ans5:121 “ Beyet her ef or ef ol l ower sofGod,asdearc hi l dr en. ” ( AV) Ihadr eadt hes ewor ds ,t heopeni ngwor dsofEphes i ans 5,many t i mes .Then,r eadi ng t hem i n a di f f er ent t r ans l at i on,Iwasbr oughtupwi t has t ar t ;“ Bei mi t at or s ofGod,t her ef or e,asdear l ybel ovedc hi l dr en”( NI V)I t ook my Gr eek Tes t amentand t her ei twasμι μητ αί i mi t at or s ;Pauli snott el l i ngusj us tt of ol l ow God,nor event of ol l ow c l os el y,butt obej us tl i keHi m!Whata bombs hel l ,s ur el yi t ’ shar d enough t r yi ngt obegood wi t houthavi ngt obel i keGod!I tc er t ai nl yc as t sal i ght ons omeoft het hi ngst hatt heBi bl eenj oi nsust odo; how aboutt hi sf oras t ar t–“ Beper f ec t ,evenasyour Fat heri nheaveni sper f ec t ”or“ Takeupyourc r os sand f ol l ow Me” . Thes e wer et he wor dsofJ es us ,Paul c ont i nuest hei dea“ Br et hr en,beper f ec t ”( I ICor13:11) . J ohnWes l eypr eac hed“ Chr i s t i anPer f ec t i on"andwas der i ded by many; but i t was t he mai ns t ay and f oundat i ons t oneofMet hodi s m. “ Be i mi t at or sofGod”We have a di f f i c ul tt as k,f or per f ec tc opi esar ehar dt omake;butGodneveras kst he i mpos s i bl e.I ti snotanopt i onalext r anori si tf ors ome ki ndofel i t es uper Chr i s t i anonl y.I ti sGod’ sc ommand anddemandf oral l .
15
Openai rpr eac her :“ Whowast heper f ec tman?” Hec kl er :“ Mywi f e’ sf i r s thus band. ” Ihavehear dpeopl es ay“ Nobodyc anbeper f ec t ” ;butt o s ay t hats eemst oc ont r adi c tt he wor d ofGod.The pr obl em i st hatwedonotal l ow Godt ogetonwi t ht he wor ki n ourl i ves . Ther emus tbes omepoi nt er st o f ol l ow,s o whatot heradvi c edoesPaulgi veus . He s peaksofourwal k,awal kt hatt akesusal ongway f r om t hepopul arc onc eptofChr i s t i ani t y,whi c hi ss o of t enar el i gi onwi t houtr es pons i bi l i t y. I nEphes i ansVPaulgi vesusaf ew not esont hr eeways ofl i vi ng aspar toft he Chr i s t i an wal k;a Chr i s t i an Li f es t yl e. Lookatt hes ec ondver s e“ Andwal ki nl ove ,asChr i s t l ove dusandgavehi ms e l fupf orus ,af r agr antof f e r i ng ands ac r i f i c et oGod. ” TheApos t l ei st al ki ngabouta way ofl i f et hatc oul d bec al l ed l ovi ng l i vi ng.No nambypambys of topt i oni st hi sl ove,nor omant i c i s m. Thi si snott hel oveoft henovel et t e;wear et al ki ng aboutt hel oveof“ Nogr eat erl ovehasanymant han t hathel aydownhi sl i f ef orhi sf r i ends ” ;t hel oveoft he SonofGodwhodes c endedt os uf f eranddi easman–t o s how how muc hwes houl dl ove.Wemus tl oveasHe does .Per s onal l y,Ihavepr obl emswi t ht hi s ,f orIam not ver ygoodats uf f er i ng.“ Wal ki nLove” I s n’ ti thar dt o l oves omepeopl e? 16
Ther ei sal i t t l ever s et hats ays : Tol i veabovewi t hs ai nt swel ove, O,t hatwi l lbegl or y. Tol i vebel ow wi t ht hos eweknow, That ’ squi t eadi f f er ents t or y. ButChr i s tdi edf oral lbec aus eHi sl over eac hedoutt o al l .I tl ooksasi fmyl i f ei sl i kean ol ds c hoolr epor t , “ Coul ddobet t er . ”Ourwal kasLi f es t yl eChr i s t i ansi sa wal kal ongt hepat hwayofHi sl ove.Wec annotpi c k andc hoos ewher eourChr i s t i anLoves houl dgo. ◊◊◊◊◊◊ Aswec ont i nuet or eadonwear ec al l edt odeeperand mor edet ai l edc ommi t ment .Youwi l lnot i c ei nt hedet ai l , al t houghs omeoft hewor dsmayvar yf r om t r ans l at i on t ot r ans l at i on,t hatal lt het hi ngst hatwear ewar ned agai ns tar es el f i s horhar mf ult oot her s-orbot h-and t hats har pc ont r as ti smadebet weent hes eac t i onsand t hebel i ever ' swal k.Youwi l lal s onot i c et hatt hei deaof s epar at i onf r om t hewor l di sver ys t r ong.Thi sc omes t hr oughver ys t r ongl yi nPaul ' snextgui del i net ol i vi ng: s ai nt l yl i vi ng. Sadl yt hewor ds ai nthasc omet omeans omes eemi ngl y i mpos s i bl es t at e,ahi gh and exal t ed hol i nes s .I ndeed hol i nes shasbec omeawor dt hatpeopl edonotl i ket o t al kabout .Pauls ayst hatwehavet ol i ve" asbec omes s ai nt s " ,t hati st os ay,s ai nt l yl i vi ng,hol yl i vi ng. 17
Whatdo t he var i oust r ans l at or smake oft hi swor d t r ans l at ed ' s ai nt ’-t he Gr eek wor d' αγι ος ? Some ( Mof f at t ,RSV)agr ee wi t ht he AV,s ome s ay " God' s peopl e"( Weymout h,GNB/ TEV)or" t hepeopl eofGod" ( NEB)andJ . B. Phi l l i pss aysqui t es i mpl y," Chr i s t i ans " .I n l exi c ons( Gr eekdi c t i onar i es )wef i nddef i ni t i onss uc h as" Setapar t ,s epar at e,hol y"Ar eJ . B.Phi l l i ps ’‘ Chr i s t i an’ and‘ s ai nt ’s ynonyms ? Al lChr i s t i ansar e God' sc hos en,s etas i de peopl e.I t s eem t hatt he wor d‘ s ai nt ’ i s us ed i nt he New Tes t amentf ort hos epeopl e,Chr i s t i ans ,whobel ongt o God,j us tasI s r aelofol dhadbeens etapar tandwer e, i nas pec i als ens e,God' speopl e. Themes s agei st hat ,i fwear ec al l edChr i s t i answehave gott obehavel i keChr i s t i ans .Somepeopl ewhogoby t he name c oul d be pr os ec ut ed under t he Tr ade Des c r i pt i onsAc t . ◊◊◊◊◊◊ I nt er woven wi t h Paul ' s c onc ept of Chr i s t i ani t y ar ebehavi our als t andar ds .Thef i r s tt hi ngt hatyouwi l l not i c ei st hatPauldoesnots ay," Don' tdoi t ! " ;hes ays , " Don' tment i oni t ! " -donotevent hi nkabouti t .Thes e ar ec l ear l yonl yexampl esofnonChr i s t i ant hi ngs ." No s exualvi c e"-t hati soneext r emet hatmos tpeopl ehave s t r ong,c l earvi ewsabout ;" Nounc l eannes s "what ever mar sors poi l sGod' sc r eat i on;" No c ovet ous nes s "( or " Nogr eed"ass omemoder nver s i onshavei t . )-nos el f s at i s f yi nggr as pi ngofwhatwedonotr eal l yneed–who 18
s ayst hatt heBi bl ei soutofdat e? Thes et hi ngsar eas i mpor t antnow ast heyhaveeverbeen. Sai nt s ,God' speopl e,t hos ewhol i f eaChr i s t i anl i f es t yl e s houl d beabovet hi nki ngaboutt hes et hi ngf ort wo r eas ons ;t heydonotaddanyt hi ngt ot hequal i t yoft he l i f eoft hebel i everandt heydet r ac tf r om t hequal i t yof l i f eofot her s . I nt he nextver s e we f i nd anot herl i t t l el i s tand a c ont r as t .Ther ei snor oom i naChr i s t i anl i f ef orc oar s e, f ool i s hors ugges t i vet al k;onl yf ort hanki ngGod.One pus hest heot herout-ei t herway.Agl as sc anbef ul lof wat erorofai r ;butnotbot hatt hes amet i me. Pauli sc onc er nedaboutt hatt al k,c onver s at i on,j es t i ng t hats t eer susawayf r om t het hi ngst hathet al ksabout i n Phi l i ppi ans 4: 8, " What s oever t hi ngs ar e t r ue, what s oevert hi ngsar ehones t ,what s oevert hi ngsar e j us t ,what s oevert hi ngsar epur e,what s oevert hi ngsar e l ovel y,what s oevert hi ngsar eofgoodr epor t ;i ft her ebe anyvi r t ueandi ft her ebeanypr ai s e,t hi nkont hes e t hi ngs . "Anyot herat t i t udet ol i f ei s" notc onveni ent " ,t o quot et heol dt r ans l at i on." Notbec omi ng"i sper hapsa bet t err ender i ng;" notf i t t i ng"s ayst heGoodNewsBi bl e. Tonguest hatr unwher evert heywi l ldonotbec omea Chr i s t i an;t heyar ei nt endedt ogi vet hankst oGod. Manki nd was c r eat ed f or l ovi ng,s ai nt l y,grat ef ul l i vi ng.I twasGod' si nt ent i ont hatmans houl dbeHi s c ompani on -l ovi ngand s er vi ngHi m.Butweal ways 19
wantt ogoof f ;doi ngourownt hi ng.Thewor l ds uf f er s bec aus eofi t ,ourf el l ow bei ngss uf f erbec aus eofi tand weour s el vess uf f erbec aus eofi t . Lookar oundyou.Youwi l ls eemenandwomens eeki ng f orf ul f i l menti nt hei rl i ves .I nt hi snew t went yf i r s t c ent ur yt heyar eexpl or i ngever yki ndofl i f es t yl e,ever y avenueofs pi r i t ual i t y.Butpeopl ehavel os ts i ghtoft he r ealpat hway;wal ki ngwi t hGod.Ast heys ear c hf ort hat el us i ves at i s f yi ngl i f es t yl et heyover l ookt hewayt hat Chr i s tc amet ol eadt hem i n-Li f es t yl eChri s t i ani t y. Whatal otofgr oundPaulhasc over edi nt hes ever s es . I mi t at i ngGod;l i vi ngal i f ei nandofGod.Li vi ngas et apar t ,Godl yl i f et hati sgi ven overt o pr ai s i ng and t hanki ngHi m.Whatal ott ot akei n;butt hi si sonl yt he begi nni ng!TheBi bl e' spat t er nf orChr i s t i anl i vi ngi sa neverendi ngc hal l enge.
20
3.TheLi f es t yl eChri s t i an’ sWal k Ephes i ans5: 811,15( AV) As we c ont i nue t ol ook at Paul ’ sc onc eptoft he bel i ever ’ swal k–Li f es t yl eChr i s t i ani t y,youwi l ls eet hat hi sc onvi c t i on t hatChr i s t i anss houl ds hunever yt hi ng t hatc oul d beeven r emot el y wr ongi nt ens i f i es . WE havet hekeyver s ei nver s e8;notal lmoder nEngl i s h ver s i ons t r ans l at e t he Gr eek ver b t hat he us es ( παρι πατ ε ω)as‘ t owal k’ ,al t hough‘ t owal kabout ’i st he l i t er almeani ng( Asi n‘ per i pat et i c ’) .Somet r ans l at or s s ay‘ l i ve’ . Foryouwe r eonc edar kne s s ,butnow youar el i ght i nt heLor d.Wal kasc hi l dr e nofl i ght
When we bec ame Chr i s t i ans we gotr ewi r ed!The pr obl em i st hatf ors omepeopl et hef us ehasbl own. Ephes i ans5: 8 i st hec l i max ofwhatPaulhasbeen s ayi ng about t he Chr i s t i an’ s wal k or way of l i f e, t hr oughoutt heepi s t l e. We mus t , heemphas i s esbe s eent obewhatwear e. I tal ls t ar t s i n 2: 2;‘ Whe r e i ni nt i mepas tyewal ke d ac c or di ngt ot hec our s eoft hi swor l d... ’butnow,he i mpl i es ,you ar er enewed i nJ es us Chr i s t ,you l i ve ac c or di ngt ot hewayoft heLi ghtoft heWor l d.The Chr i s t i ans houl dbedoi nggoodandhavi ngnot hi ngt o 21
dowi t ht hatwhi c hi snotgood.‘ Wal ki ngi nt hewayof doi nggood’ ,Topar aphr as et aket hemeani ngof t he apos t l e’ ss ec ondus eoft hever b‘ t owal k' i n 2: 10. I nc hapt er4t hei deai sdevel oped.Wear et ol di nver s e 2t ohaveawal kwor t hyoft hec al l i ngwi t hwhi c hyou we r ec al l e dand i n ver s e17 nol onge rwal kast he Ge nt i l e sal s owal k,i nt hevani t yoft he i rmi nd( f ut i l i t yof t he i rt hi nki ngt heNI Vr eads )Thei deat hatt het hi ngsof Goddonotmi xwi t ht het hi ngsoft hewor l ds eemst obe c ons t ant l ypr es enti nPaul ’ st hi nki ng.Buti ti snotc ut of f ,i s ol at edi gnor i ngoft hatwhi c hs ur r oundsus .On t heonehandi ti sbei ngawar eoft hel oveofChr i s tf or us and on t he ot her hand bei ng awar e of our r es pons i bi l i t yt ol oveot her s . Wear et owal ki nl ove , e ve nasChr i s tal s ol ove dus ;s wampedi n,s ur r ounded byt hegr ac eofourLor d,wi t ht hel oves pi l l i ngoveri nt o al las pec t sofourl i ves . I ts houl d,t her ef or e,c omeasnos ur pr i s et hatoneone t hemai npoi nt si nt hi spas s agei si nver s es6and7.I ti s t hei deaofs eparat edl i vi ng.Youwi l lnot i c et hati ti s l i nkedc l os el ywi t hwal ki ngasc hi l dr enofl i ght . Tomaket hi ngsc l earPaulgi vesuss omeexampl es .He t el l susnott obel edawaybypeopl et hatt el lust hat bl ac ki swhi t e.Thewor l di sf ul lofpeopl ewhoc annot ac c eptGod’ sJ udgementand God’ sWor d;t heywantt o maket hei rown r ul esbot hi ns i deandout s i deoft he 22
c hur c h.Theywal ki ndar knes sandt hos ewhof ol l ow t hem ar ej us tasmuc h,i fnotmor e,i nt hedar k. But wear ec hi l dr en ofTheLi ghtoft heWor l d.We mus tnotal l ow ourl i ghtt obeputout–i ti st os hi neout anddi s pelt hedar knes s . Paulmakest heChr i s t i anat t i t udever yc l ear .‘ Don' te ve n as s oc i at ewi t hs uc hpe opl e . ’Readsver s e7i nt heLi vi ng Bi bl eori nt heGoodNewsver s i on,‘ Havenot hi ngatal l t odowi t hs uc hpe opl e ’Whatt hewor dofGodt eac hes usi st heonl yr ul e;peopl ewhoar ehi ghexampl esof f ol l owi ngHi m ar eouronl yexampl es Wear er es pons i bl et oGodf ort hewayt hatwel i veour l i vesandourl i f es t yl emus tbeaccept abl el i vi ngi nHi s eyes .Thebi gques t i ont hatwehavet oas kour s el vesi s , ‘ Do I pl eas e God?’ . We of t en go about pl eas i ng our s el ves .We r at i onal i zewhatwedobys ayi ngt hat wear edoi ngwhatGodwant sust odo― oratl eas t whatwe t hi nk God want sofus .Butar e we r eal l y pl eas i ngGod? Per hapswear et r yi ngt opl eas eornot di s pl eas eot herpeopl er at hert hanGod.Wemayeven l i veourl i vest r yi ngt oi mpr es sot her s ;t omaket hem t hi nkwel lofus .Wewantt obeac c ept abl ebuti sbei ng ac c ept abl et ot heLor d? I nl i vi ngl i ket hi swear emi s s i ngt het ar get ; no,wear e noteven ai mi ngati t .Theques t i on hast obeas ked agai n,‘ DoIpl eas eGod?’–‘ I smyl i f eac c ept abl et oHi m? 23
I ti sc l eart hatwehavet owat c hout ,makes ur et hatwe ar e notdi ver t ed f r om wal ki ng,l i vi ng f or God by as s oc i at i onwi t ht hewayofl i f eoft hos ei ndar knes s
“ … yewer es omet i mesdar knes s ,butnow ar eyel i ght i nt heLor d:wal kasc hi l dr enofl i ght :( Fort hef r ui tof t he Spi r i ti si n al lgoodnes sand r i ght eous nes sand t r ut h; )Pr ovi ngwhati sac c ept abl eunt ot heLor d.And have no f el l ows hi p wi t h t he unf r ui t f ul wor ks of dar knes s ,butr at herr epr ovet hem.… Seet hent hatye wal kc i r c ums pec t l y,notasf ool s ,butaswi s e. ” Ephes i ans5:811, 15( AV) J es uswasqui t ec l eart hatnotonl ys houl dHi sf ol l ower s bef ol l ower soft heWay,butt hatt heys houl dbet el l i ng ot her s . Mat t28: 1820 " Al laut hor i t yhasbeengi vent oMei n heavenandonear t h.Got her ef or eandmakedi s c i pl es ofal lt henat i ons ,bapt i zi ngt hem i nt henameoft he Fat herandoft heSonandoft heHol ySpi r i t ,t eac hi ng t hem t oobs er veal lt hi ngst hatIhavec ommandedyou; andl o,Iam wi t hyoual ways ,event ot heendoft he age. ” Mark16: 1516 “ Goi nt oal lt hewor l dandpr eac ht he gos pelt o ever yc r eat ur e. He who bel i evesand i s bapt i zedwi l lbes aved;buthewhodoesnotbel i evewi l l bec ondemned. ” 24
I n br i ef ,“ Go pr eac h t he Gos pel ” . Your Li f es t yl e Chr i s t i ani t ywi l lbeyourbes tt es t i monyands er mon.
25
J ohn3 1. Ther e was a man of t he Phar i s ees named Ni c odemus ,ar ul eroft heJ ews . 2.Thi smanc amet oJ es usbyni ghtands ai dt oHi m, " Rabbi ,weknow t hatYouar eat eac herc omef r om God; f ornoonec andot hes es i gnst hatYoudounl es sGodi s wi t hhi m. ' ' 3.J es usans wer edands ai dt ohi m," Mos tas s ur edl y,I s ayt oyou,unl es sonei sbor nagai n,hec annots eet he ki ngdom ofGod. ' ' 4.Ni c odemuss ai dt oHi m," How c anamanbebor n when hei sol d?Can heent eras ec ondt i mei nt ohi s mot her ' swombandbebor n?' ' 5.J es usans wer ed," Mos tas s ur edl y,Is ayt oyou,unl es s onei sbor nofwat erandt heSpi r i t ,hec annotent ert he ki ngdom ofGod. 6. " Thatwhi c hi sbor noft hef l es hi sf l es h,andt hat whi c hi sbor noft heSpi r i ti ss pi r i t . 7." Donotmar velt hatIs ai dt oyou,`Youmus tbebor n agai n. ' 8." Thewi ndbl owswher ei twi s hes ,andyouheart he s oundofi t ,butc annott el lwher ei tc omesf r om and wher ei tgoes .Soi sever yonewhoi sbor noft heSpi r i t . ' ' 9. Ni c odemusans wer edands ai dt oHi m," How c an t hes et hi ngsbe?' ' 10. J es usans wer ed and s ai dt o hi m," Ar eyou t he t eac herofI s r ael ,anddonotknow t hes et hi ngs ? 11." Mos tas s ur edl y,Is ayt oyou,Wes peakwhatWe know andt es t i f ywhatWehaves een,andyoudonot 26
r ec ei veOurwi t nes s . 12." I fIhavet ol dyouear t hl yt hi ngsandyoudonot bel i eve,how wi l lyou bel i eve i fIt el lyou heavenl y t hi ngs ? 13." Noonehasas c endedt oheavenbutHewhoc ame downf r om heaven,t hati s ,t heSonofManwhoi si n heaven. 14. " And as Mos es l i f t ed up t he s er penti nt he wi l der nes s ,evens omus tt heSonofManbel i f t edup, 15." t hatwhoeverbel i evesi nHi ms houl dnotper i s h buthaveet er nall i f e. 16." ForGods ol ovedt hewor l dt hatHegaveHi sonl y begot t enSon,t hatwhoeverbel i evesi nHi ms houl dnot per i s hbuthaveever l as t i ngl i f e. 17. " ForGoddi dnots endHi sSoni nt ot hewor l dt o c ondemn t hewor l d,butt hatt hewor l dt hr ough Hi m mi ghtbes aved. 18." Hewhobel i evesi nHi mi snotc ondemned;buthe whodoesnotbel i evei sc ondemnedal r eady,bec aus ehe hasnotbel i evedi nt henameoft heonl ybegot t enSon ofGod. 19." Andt hi si st hec ondemnat i on,t hatt hel i ghthas c omei nt ot hewor l d,andmen l oveddar knes sr at her t hanl i ght ,bec aus et hei rdeedswer eevi l . 20. " Forever yonepr ac t i s i ngevi lhat est hel i ghtand doesnotc omet ot hel i ght ,l es thi sdeedss houl d be expos ed. 21." Buthewhodoest het r ut hc omest ot hel i ght ,t hat hi sdeedsmay bec l ear l ys een,t hatt hey havebeen donei nGod. ' ' 27