Christian Living

           It is easy for us to be stagnate because we live a life surrounded by stimulation and change. We like to see growth in the church and if it takes too long, we move on. It is wearisome to run the race of endurance ( Heb. 12:1-2 ). It is the same work every week and often times we become indifferent in our Christian walk. Apathy is extremely dangerous. When we develop an unenthusiastic mindset toward the Bible, Christianity, and our worship to God we begin to wither away. Is That Me?      The Lord wants our work to be zealous, continuous, and fervent ( Gal. 4:18; Tit. 2:14 ). When we are lukewarm, we know that we must serve God, but we are half-hearted about doing so ( Gal. 5:13; Heb. 12:28 ). Our lack of zeal shows in our apathy toward sin, limited worship attendance, and not bearing much fruit for God ( Rm. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:25; Col. 1:10 ). These are all red flags. Also, being lukewarm can be seen in ...

  I’ll Take It Lying Down It is unbelievable how many folks indulge in sin. It’s like eating a cookie before dinner. It’s only a little guilty pleasure. It’s okay to enjoy. Yes, it’s bad for you. Yes, it will ruin what is good for you. Yes, it can be habit forming and lead to worse things. It’s just a cookie. What harm can it do? Sin is a whole lot more than a cookie. We are never taught to embrace sin.   In fact, we are taught the opposite. Why? Sin is corrosive, destructive, and deadly. We have no reason to tolerate sin. God never did. In fact, Christ was sent so that we may have forgiveness and eternal life (Acts 2:37-­38; John 14:5­6) . So, why are some of us tolerating it in the church and in our personal lives? Why do we put up with the “little guilty pleasures” of the flesh? Satisfying Company      It is carnally satisfying to appeal to your fleshly desires (Rm. 1:18­32). Sin is pleasing and requires you to do nothing. There is no...

If You Renounce Holiness You Will Die Spiritually!         It’s hard for some Christians to really grasp the difference between the world and the body of Christ. We read about it. We study it. We even try to apply it. In all actuality, we often fall short of being effective as Christians. We like to blur the line of separation by saying some things are okay and others are not. Last time I checked, if you put dirt in a glass of water, the water is no longer pure.   So, instead of keeping up the good fight, many just say, “I’m not a saint and I don’t want to be holy. Let me go wallow with the pigs. At least that’s fun.” That Attitude Stinks         With that kind of attitude, people make a concession for sin and abandon the truth. Why not? You have already decided you’re not holy. Christians are set apart. That’s what sanctified means (1 Cor. 6:11) . The moment we were immersed into Chr...

When we make concessions for deviation from the word we began to die spiritually. (2 Cor. 11:1-4)   Anyone who says “I know Him” and does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in Him (1 John 2:4). We too often lay claim to being God’s while forsaking Him. Hey, that is just easier to do. Like all things we would rather just say we have a connection to something than actually commit. Seriously, what would you do if something went bad? So, let’s just say "Yeah, I know Him." Then we can do what we want. That is how many want to treat Christianity. John was speaking on such atrocities when he stated that if we claim to know Him we must keep His commands or be a liar. Sounds Good To Me     We need to be seeking to be doers of the word not just hearers only. James 1:22  makes it clear when James says for us to be doers of the word not hearers only deceiving ourselves.   The deception comes in the fact we are ...

When we abandon the truth we stop growing! Although we tote our bibles around and our phone app’s we forget what the word says. We let someone “educated” tell us what we should know. Paul told the church in Colossi to let the word dwell richly in them ( Col. 3:16 ).   That means each one of us should be educated in the word. We shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free ( John 8:31-32 ). If we abide in Christ word than we are His disciples. Christ says He is the way, the truth, and the life ( John 14:6 ).   In Matt. 28:18-20 He says, that by His authority in heaven and on earth, that we are to be disciples immersed in Him and observe His commands. Not to mention that Christ makes it clear He only claims those who hear the word of God and do it ( Luke 8:21; Mark 3:33-35; Matt. 12:48-50 ). The parable of the sower makes it very clear that if we abandon the truth we can’t grow ( Luke 8:4-8 &11-15; Mark 4:3-8 & 13-20; Matt. 13:3-9 & 18-23 ). We can...

"The Old Testament says so..."Is Not A Good Argument! The Old Testament is a great place to learn from.   It’s a wonderful place to see how God will hold to His word and His standards. As Christians we need to learn from it. Learn from those examples that we are given (1 Cor. 10:6).   So what are we to follow today? Looking at the scripture God was very adamant about us following Jesus. In fact, in the presence of Elijah, Moses, and Jesus, God commanded the disciples to hear Jesus (Matt. 17:1-5).   Where do the commands of Jesus appear? The New Testament (Matt. 28:20). Jesus commanded many things even that the apostles were to go teach His commands. How do we answer the questions of world? How do we know what is a sin and what’s wrong? Jesus just said “Love”, right? No dear reader He didn’t just say “Love.” There is much more written on those tree skins than just love.   Oh, how I wish that we had the time to talk in depth about all that Jesus commanded, but th...

Fellowship vs. Personal Relationship Series             As we have seen in our study we have learned a great deal about Fellowship. That being said Fellowship is inclusive while a personal relationship is exclusive. A personal relationship leaves out a great deal. It carries grievous effects on our walk. A personal relationship leaves out the body (Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Cor. 12:12). It leaves out the key, Christ and His Word (Matt. 28:18-20). It fails to give you all things in common (Eph. 5:8-14; Acts 4:32; Rm. 6:1-4).   It removes what holds us together (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). A personal relationship forsakes unity and doesn’t support the concept that we are all one in Christ (John 17:23; Eph. 4:1-5; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:23; Eph. 1:22-23). It leaves out God, Christ and the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:3; 1 Cor. 1:9; Phil. 2:1-2).   All the while it gives the white washed appearance that it does.   We must ...

Fellowship vs. Personal Relationship series I want to note a solid thought before we go any deeper. This study will shake the foundation of many on the idea of acceptance and comradery with those who are imprisoned in sin. That being said, lets note the definition one more time. Fellowship is a companionship, familiar interaction, sharing having or giving a share in the Kingdom with the Godhead and the body as we are in a cooperate partnership together in Christ Jesus that by our association together we have a mutual aim and interest. So can we spiritually have such a thing with the unrighteous? I want to note the closing statements of our last study on this fellowship topic. The righteous would be us, Christians (Acts 11:26). He is righteous (1 John 2:1). We are made righteous by Christ in Christ (Rm. 5:19 & 6:18; 1 John 2:29 & 3:7).   Those that are in Him and obediently live in Him are righteous. This means that everything outside of Him is unrighteous and all unrig...