Thursday, June 04, 2009
Living Life God’s Way
Amidst all the best-kept-secrets in the world is “the biggie” -- a well-known secret that is obscured by a popular culture that is afraid of personal responsibility and by a few basic misconceptions regarding the definition of a real Christian. The secret: being a Bible believing Christian (that doesn’t cuss, drink, steal or cheat on his spouse) is truly one of the most enjoyable and rewarding lifestyles available. Living life God’s way is not a chore, it is simply following the manufacturer’s manual to enjoy maximum performance.
Years ago a well known preacher once challenged his audience to live life God’s way. Then he articulated the difference in a self-centered life and a God-directed life. As you read his philosophy below, ask yourself how much you agree with his line of reasoning.
“Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” (Galatians 5:18-23 The Message).
This preacher, St. Paul, became one of the world’s greatest missionaries. He wrote most of the letters that now make up the New Testament. If you had trouble agreeing with the quotation above, then your world view is not a Biblical world view. If your world view is not Biblical, then you have not chosen to live your life God’s way.
The good news is that it is never too late to start living life God’s way. If you should choose to embark on this journey you will find that it is much like the life advertised by the Peace Corps: “It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.” Living right is hard work and requires much discipline, but the results are very wholesome and gratifying. Establishing habits such as attending a Bible-believing church can be a challenge, but your whole family will benefit in ways too numerous to mention. Life was a great idea that God came up with; He knows how it works best. Living life contrary to God’s plan is as frustrating as riding a motorcycle but refusing to put gas in it.
If life doesn’t seem to be unfolding quite the way you expected… if your world view isn’t working….. if you are a “Christian” but are not Spirit-led… I challenge you to take a month of your life and give God’s way a shot. Read Galatians 5:18-23 every day, try to live it out, and see if it doesn’t make a big difference in your life.
Years ago a well known preacher once challenged his audience to live life God’s way. Then he articulated the difference in a self-centered life and a God-directed life. As you read his philosophy below, ask yourself how much you agree with his line of reasoning.
“Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” (Galatians 5:18-23 The Message).
This preacher, St. Paul, became one of the world’s greatest missionaries. He wrote most of the letters that now make up the New Testament. If you had trouble agreeing with the quotation above, then your world view is not a Biblical world view. If your world view is not Biblical, then you have not chosen to live your life God’s way.
The good news is that it is never too late to start living life God’s way. If you should choose to embark on this journey you will find that it is much like the life advertised by the Peace Corps: “It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.” Living right is hard work and requires much discipline, but the results are very wholesome and gratifying. Establishing habits such as attending a Bible-believing church can be a challenge, but your whole family will benefit in ways too numerous to mention. Life was a great idea that God came up with; He knows how it works best. Living life contrary to God’s plan is as frustrating as riding a motorcycle but refusing to put gas in it.
If life doesn’t seem to be unfolding quite the way you expected… if your world view isn’t working….. if you are a “Christian” but are not Spirit-led… I challenge you to take a month of your life and give God’s way a shot. Read Galatians 5:18-23 every day, try to live it out, and see if it doesn’t make a big difference in your life.
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