By Steve Childers
Last week we discussed being born again, becoming a new creation with Christ in our life. For some of us, we grew up in church and have heard about the saving grace of our Lord since birth and others have only recently come to believe in Jesus Christ. Regardless of where you are on the path of maturing faith, you have not only received salvation but also the power over sin. Having said this, it is so much easier said than done to live a righteous life, following in the footsteps of Christ. Especially since we live in a world that tempts us to live other wise.
As part of our commitment to Christ, we must make a conscious effort to set our minds on the ways of the Lord and our actions will naturally follow. When our minds are tuned into the teachings of Christ and we have a true desire to live as a Christian, it is much easier when faced with the many choices we face each day to make decisions according to God's will. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we are told "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Your actions and words are a result of what is in you heart and mind. This is why it is so important to pray regularly and read your Bible or some type of devotional everyday. At times I am critical of our churches not teaching the full Word of God, but being in church is also very important, being around like minded people.
We are constantly hit with things that are contrary to the will of God and people who do not share this same desire to live as Christ taught. At work, at school and then on television we see all kinds of situations that challenge our sense of right and wrong. That is why it is important to understand what the Bible calls sin so we can make a conscious effort to turn from it. One of my favorite verses says, "Listen much, speak little and be slow to anger" and if we could only do this, you can imagine how much easier it would be to love our fellow human being. Remember the parable Christ told about the seed that fell on various types of soil? Some of it fell on rocky soil and others among the thorns (the seed being the Word of God), both of which were initially accepted, but when the pressures of life got to them, they died.
As Christians, we have the power over sin to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, but it is not automatic. Christ is looking for a commitment from us and through our action and words; God will know what is in our hearts. Here is a great verse that sums up this concept. 1 Peter 1:13 "…prepare your minds for action: be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed…do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." Notice in this passage, there are great rewards for you in the form of grace, but it is full of action the Christian needs to take. "Prepare your minds, be self-controlled, set your hope and do not conform" are all actions we are told to perform in our journey of maturing faith.
Steve Childers is the author of Catholic or Protestant What our Churches Should Be Teaching. Visit http://catholicorprotestant.com/ to learn more about the book and to receive FREE newsletters that includes an article he sends out weekly.
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