Christian living
Just what is it to be Christian? Here in a rather large nutshell are some basic statements from the Bible that I believe Christians should be obeying.
The apostle Paul tells us the fruits of the Spirit of God are,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
These are Christian attributes.
Key to Christian belief is Love. A Christian must love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Earlier in Matthews gospel Jesus is quoted saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:43-47.
The apostle Paul defines Christian love when he writes,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul stating,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
Note here the apostle Paul also reminds Christians to keep their own house in order so to speak. He reminds us that while we are not to judge those outside the church. We are allowed to judge those inside the church. There is I believe a caveat however. We have no right to judge where anyone will spend eternity.
What Paul is saying here I believe is we are allowed to judge those who claim to be Christians with respect to what they believe and are teaching. To ensure they are teaching sound doctrine. As Billy Graham the great American Evangelist stated,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
The apostle Paul tells Christians,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18,
The apostle Peter reminds us,
“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 2:11,12.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:1.
Jesus saying
“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.
Please think about it.
Just what is it to be Christian? Here in a rather large nutshell are some basic statements from the Bible that I believe Christians should be obeying.
The apostle Paul tells us the fruits of the Spirit of God are,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
These are Christian attributes.
Key to Christian belief is Love. A Christian must love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Earlier in Matthews gospel Jesus is quoted saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:43-47.
The apostle Paul defines Christian love when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
A Christian also has no right to Judge those outside their faith. Jesus said,“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul stating,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
Note here the apostle Paul also reminds Christians to keep their own house in order so to speak. He reminds us that while we are not to judge those outside the church. We are allowed to judge those inside the church. There is I believe a caveat however. We have no right to judge where anyone will spend eternity.
What Paul is saying here I believe is we are allowed to judge those who claim to be Christians with respect to what they believe and are teaching. To ensure they are teaching sound doctrine. As Billy Graham the great American Evangelist stated,
“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,
God’s job to judge
and my job to love,
Billy Graham
Christians are also to sit down with sinners and others like Jesus did. Matthew’s gospel records,“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
The apostle Paul tells Christians,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18,
The apostle Peter reminds us,
“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 2:11,12.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:1.
Jesus saying
“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.
Please think about it.
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