Christian Lifestyle
Billy Graham said,
“My home is in Heaven. I'm just travelling through this world.” Billy Graham.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
This note is to Christians. What is your life, lifestyle and attitude saying to the people around you.
I know when I speak to many non-Christians they think of evangelical Christians especially those in the United States as having a holier than thou attitude. They see many as bigots and hypocrites who are not practising true Christianity. Who mix their politics and religion in the wrong way.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.” Mahatma Gandhi
Billy Graham said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.” Billy Graham.
We as Christians need to be taking careful stock of our lives. Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Sadly all too many people claiming to be Christians are not true Christians. If they are they certainly are not following the teachings of Christ.
The words of Jesus I quoted above says it all, ““So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”.
This to me is crystal clear especially in the secular democracy in which we in the west live. If you want freedom. You must give others the right to their freedom even if you disagree with them. Such is the nature of freedom.
As Billy Graham said,
“My home is in Heaven. I'm just travelling through this world.” Billy Graham.
We as Christians are Christ’s representatives in this world. We are his ambassadors what we show to the world is what they will see Christ as. We must live as holy a life as possible.
The writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
If you are a true believer in Christ you must show it in word and in deed. Our actions must reflect our faith.
James the half brother of Christ said,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
James went on to say,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Our entire life as Christians must reflect Jesus. Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
Question: What is your sermon telling people about you?
Please think about it.
Billy Graham said,
“My home is in Heaven. I'm just travelling through this world.” Billy Graham.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
This note is to Christians. What is your life, lifestyle and attitude saying to the people around you.
I know when I speak to many non-Christians they think of evangelical Christians especially those in the United States as having a holier than thou attitude. They see many as bigots and hypocrites who are not practising true Christianity. Who mix their politics and religion in the wrong way.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.” Mahatma Gandhi
Billy Graham said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.” Billy Graham.
We as Christians need to be taking careful stock of our lives. Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Sadly all too many people claiming to be Christians are not true Christians. If they are they certainly are not following the teachings of Christ.
The words of Jesus I quoted above says it all, ““So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”.
This to me is crystal clear especially in the secular democracy in which we in the west live. If you want freedom. You must give others the right to their freedom even if you disagree with them. Such is the nature of freedom.
As Billy Graham said,
“My home is in Heaven. I'm just travelling through this world.” Billy Graham.
We as Christians are Christ’s representatives in this world. We are his ambassadors what we show to the world is what they will see Christ as. We must live as holy a life as possible.
The writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
If you are a true believer in Christ you must show it in word and in deed. Our actions must reflect our faith.
James the half brother of Christ said,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
James went on to say,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Our entire life as Christians must reflect Jesus. Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
Question: What is your sermon telling people about you?
Please think about it.
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