Part 5: Christian Living
Christians differ from their neighbors in many ways. Some differences are apparent while many remain invisible. Christians must strive to be like Christ for the qualities of the Savior should appear in every mature Christian. Peter neatly sums these values in Second Peter 1: 5-8:
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I John 4:17 tells us:
Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment because in this world we are like Him.
In matters of religion, Christians hear neither inner voices of instruction nor the teachings of men. They listen well, however, to the voice of God, the Holy Bible. I Cor. 2:13 teaches:
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The Apostle Paul, while instructing the young evangelist, Timothy, wrote in First Timothy Chapter 6, verses 3-5:
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments that result in envy quarreling, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
Thus, Christians can have no creed but that of Christ as revealed by the Bible. Jesus prayed shortly before his execution that all of His followers would teach the same thing so that they all may be of one mind so that the world would know He was from God. See John 17: 17 thru 21.
Many aspects of modern life trouble today's peoples. Christians, however, have directions about marriage, family relationships, child rearing, and the selection of friends. This aids them in being untroubled in their own lives by today's philosophies. Even so, they grieve deeply over the results of sinful ideas and associations upon our civilization. The book of Hebrews chapter 13, verse 4 reveals that marriage is honorable in all, but whore mongers and adulterers God will judge. Study Matt 5:32. Here we see that fornication or adultery is the only cause for divorce satisfactory to God. Paul instructed Jesus' followers, regarding family relationships, saying that as the church is subject to Jesus Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Paul also said that children should obey and honor their parents in everything. Study carefully Eph. 5: 22 thru 24.
As much of the world's entertainments emphasize promiscuous sex, extols law violators, and condones drug use; Christians must look elsewhere for relaxation and entertainment. When selecting activities for relaxation and entertainment the Christian must consider:
Will this activity violate my conscience (Romans 14:22--23)?
Will my doing this cause weaker Christians to lose their faith or will I set a bad example of Christian behavior for others (I Cor. 10:23--33)?
Will this activity place me under evil influence (I Cor. 6: 19&20)?
Will my doing this activity conflict with my Christian duty? Christians must put God and His kingdom first. (Matt 6:33.)
Will my doing this activity arise in me indecent responses? Books, magazines and movies that create indecent desires are contrary to Christianity. Paul said that whatsoever things are pure, think on these things.
Is this activity both legal and right? Christians should always respect the rights of others as well as to obey the laws of the land.
In matters of government, law and taxes the Christian must obey civil authority. Paul said:
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Study Romans 13:1-7. Thus Christians obey their government's laws, pay their taxes and drive within the laws. Christians are aware that a civilization's fabric can be torn and destroyed by widespread lawlessness.
Materialism represents one aspect of life where there often seems to be little difference between the Christian and the disbeliever. When submerged in materialistic outlooks the Christian's conscience is bothered for materialism is foreign to the religion of Christ. Jesus said that believers must be on guard against all kinds of greed for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Read Luke 12: 15 thru 31.
Materialism invades much of today's society including the church. Yet, many Christians avoid materialism. New Church buildings are being erected from funds gathered by the mortgaging of Christian's possessions and loans obligated by Christians for the cause of Christ. But these are few compared to the many who claim to be the Lord's. Truly materialism is a great weakness among the Lord's people today. Christians are different because they live by the Word of God. Thus they are free of much of the envy, strife and worry common to worldly people. But even the best of Christianity misses the goal of being entirely like Christ. Christians must continue to perfect their lives after that of their Savior, Jesus Christ.