This is the final chapter in the Values that Last series, though I will be doing a final blog which will be a conclusion of this blog series. First addressed was choosing our standard, following was why our beliefs matter, deciding right from wrong, living with integrity, and some scriptural support in overcoming injustice.
Our pastor started out this session with a scripture from 1 John 2:16 that sets the pace for what I have to share here:
- “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but of the world.”
As was in Genesis 3:6, when Eve contemplated consuming the forbidden fruit, she too experienced the lust of the flesh, the eyes and the pride of life through wisdom:
- “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit an date. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
The following are some strategies for living as a Christian in our world today:
Evaluate Everything: We can choose to live by the world or the Word. Living by the Word we should test everything. Using logic is a good tool for argument—and don’t think that Satan doesn’t use it as well. While using logic to evaluate your life, it’s one thing to make the most of every moment, not putting off for tomorrow what you can do today, it’s another to base your beliefs on the here and now giving no concern for your eternity. The fact is, Christianity is logical; it’s about looking the big picture and living your life accordingly. Look around you; we aren’t here by chance. Every aspect of life is too divine in design to be just from chance. There certainly is a God who’s created us and given us life not wishing for us to throw it away to sin for a moment of pleasure, but to turn our lives toward Him and strive toward holiness.
- “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
- “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Develop Strong Convictions: Our pastor had brought up a point he’d once heard which was something along the lines of: you don’t have anything to live for until you have something worth dying for. What do you live for in your life? What would you die for? Would you put your life on the line to defend your nation and freedom? Would you risk you life to save your child or your spouse? Would you stand firm in your faith in Jesus Christ not renouncing Him even if an enemy threatened you? God has given us a great will to live and I thank Him for that. The life God asks us to give up is the life of sin so that we can spend eternity with Him one day. What do you put above yourself in life? What do you put above God in your life? What are your strongest convictions?
- “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations?” (Colossians 2:20)
- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
- “And the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17)
Love God with All Your Heart: Continuing my thought from the last point, don’t love your life(style) enough to die for this world. There are too many sins in this world to get wrapped up in: drugs, sex, other addictions, risky social alliances… and all these things can lead to physical and spiritual death. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:21 that our treasures are where our heart is. We should be working on faithfulness toward God all of the time–not some of the time. Our pastor gave the example of his marriage stating clearly how his wife would respond if he was only faithful to her part of the time. It would be adultery to only be faithful to our spouse part of the time as it is spiritual adultery to be faithful to God only part of the time. That doesn’t mean we’re expected to be perfect overnight, but it should mean, when you’ve turned your life over to Christ, you are making effort to draw near to Him and strive toward holiness.
- “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
- “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
- “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
Influence Others For Good: We as Christians are called to be salt and light in our world. Have you ever salted meat then tried to remove the salt flavoring? I’m not sure it’s easy to do. When at church today, in looking at salt in a different way for the purpose of his analogy, our pastor gave us the example of how some fish can spend their lives in salt water and yet not taste salty. Similarly, God is capable of helping us to remain uncorrupt even as we live in a world of corruptness.
- “That you may become blameless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:15-16)
- “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one… As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (John 17: 15, 18)
Scripture reference is quoted from the NKJV.