"Holy" means separate or apart. Historically, there have been Christians who feel that in order to live as God's holy people, they have to withdraw from the world (hence the emergence of the monastic movement). But in Jesus's high priestly prayer in John 17: 15-18, we hear something different.
As a result, most Christians strive to live in the world, but not of the world, because we believe God wants us to transform the kingdom of this earth to be more like the kingdom of heaven.
It has been said that some Christians are so worldly that they are of no heavenly good, but there are others who are so heavenly that they are of no earthly good. We are to avoid these extremes.
We are to walk to the beat of a different drummer. Someone greater than us is in control of our lives. We are to strive to live lives worthy of God's praise and that glorify God. We are to be different people because in Christ all things become new.
We see life differently. We strive to love others and ourselves with the same unconditional love that God has for us.
We are called to be different in that Christians focus on truths that provide meaning and joy to life. We focus on the resurrection and not the grave. Hate shall not have the last word: love will.
The Apostle Peter states in his first epistle that holy living means exercising self-discipline in all we choose to do, actively showing love to others as God loves us and anchoring our hopes in what God has done, is doing and promises to do.
A difficult assignment? You better believe it, but we have the Holy Spirit to help us.
DR. GENE NORRIS IS A PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Great letter but I don't think the Christian life is hard to do. The non-Christian is the one having a tough time dealing with all the results of sin in their life causing depression, anger, strife etc. Once we realize the Word says it is not within us to direct our own path we can be better led by the Holy Spirit. The Words says the Holy Spirit living within us knows all things. Once we know signs and wonders follow those who believe life can get real exciting and the things of the world become very dull to us. I believe the push for self esteem can hurt living the Christian life and itit is better to have Christ esteem and realize we are nothing without Him and everything with Him.
Agreed. Jesus says that the Christian life is the more difficult. He describes it as "taking up our cross", and not being a cakewalk. Hence, it is the narrow road -- the one less traveled. He even says that many people who think they're Christians are just fooling themselves. We're called to live a perfect life, like Christ, but we certainly fail to meet His standards. Thankfully, the Spirit is there to help us. I'm not sure about the "sings and wonders" that follow believers. Where in the Bible does it say that Christians will experience "sings and wonders"?
There are seasons of our christian walk that will be somewhat difficult because of coming under attack from the enemy. But when one finds out who they truly are in Christ, and who Christ is in them, it's the most amazing awesome life anyone could ever life.
Very true. Anything worth having is costly, and Christ calls us to "die to ourselves". It is a wonderful paradox of Christianity that you'll only find true peace when you stop seeking it on your own, and just give it all over to God. When you die to your own wants and desires, you'll experience real life in Him. When you become His "slave", you'll find true freedom. When you give up your earthly life, you'll find life eternal. No wonder those outside of Christianity have a difficult time understanding it (and openly ridicule it -- like kids on a playground teasing others about things they don't understand). As the Bible says, the things of God sound foolish to the thinking of man. But again, God's ways are so far above ours. We can't comprehend them anyway. Celebrate the paradoxes. Wouldn't have it any other way!
Mark 15; 16-20 talks about signs following believers
In context, the Mark 15 passage is referring to the apostles and the ones they taught. No real record of these things going on after the first century. Today, people have been killed tried to handle snakes. These signs were given to verify the truth of the message for the 1st-century hearers. There was no Bible back then. Now, we have the written word which can be tested. So, there's no real need for miraculous signs now.
Oh, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Our relationship with God is personal through Jesus Christ. You may personally ask Him to invade every part of your life, and reveal signs and wonders to you. Then step back!!!
Someone greater than me is in control of my life. It's the Great Flying Spaghetti Monster, and he's no more real than your imaginary holy spirit. Religion is mass delusion. Pure and simple. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!
jedex6 We pray that you will someday be reached and brought into the fold of the Holy Spirit. It's a love like no other.