Christian Living
First, what it is not. It is not a hobby to be pursued at weekends like fishing or golf. It is not a 40-hour money-earning occupation. It is not something to dabble in.
One should never enter Bible College with a long-term picture of what the diploma can achieve in terms of personal gain – such as a well-paid job for the next twenty-five years, a “nice” house and a car in the drive all paid for (on qualifying) by the denomination. This puts Christians into the category of some professionals who study for five/six years simply to set themselves up for a lucrative career. Thank God for those westerners who burn the midnight candle to become a doctor or dentist in Africa or India to help poor people. They study simply because they love humanity more than money. That is not to say everyone is poor in Africa or India, but many are.
Yes, the Bible tells us to study for God’s approval, (2 Timothy 2:15) but the motive ought to be to serve God rather than serving our stomachs and bank balances.
So what should Christianity mean to each one of us? It ought to be a consuming thing. We need blood heated by the fire of the Holy Spirit. We need more fanatics! We need to be people who think of God before going to sleep, when we wake – and many times throughout the day: people who live for Christ. We need to feel the pain and the agony of Jesus on the cross and realize what a price He paid for our salvation. It has come over the microphone so many times it has lost its significance to many. When it sinks in deep enough, we will be motivated to obey Him.
Jesus’ second greatest commandment – you know what it is - should bring a mental picture of the unsaved, condemned to a lake of fire and eternal death (Revelation 20:15, John 3:36). From personal observation, most Christians today don’t seem to care.
We’ll be motivated when we “see” unsaved people being cast into that fire – and also when we see them being deceived by false prophets. Hopefully this article will help you to see.
In six years in the Australian city where I live, (population 90,000) only one person has been willing to join me in knocking on doors. In that venture, the cults outnumber us every day!
Getting more personal: you need to be a risk-taker instead of seat-warmer and socializer. You need to serve the Lord, not the church building. Oh, the pastor will say you are doing God’s work, but there isn’t much in the New Testament on believers washing teacups and painting walls. Make your priorities the higher things that will affect people for eternity.
When satan has you thinking how pleasant to sip coffee for two hours with the believers at the shopping mall, scrap that thought and spend the time there giving out tracts instead.
Do you really think when it’s Goodbye World and time to meet Jesus that He’ll be interested in your big house, SVU in the drive and your easy, comfortable life? Of course not; He will want to know what you did about His commandments, what you did to take the message to a condemned world.
Tennis player Lleyton Hewitt yells “come on” to himself. We need to do the same. It’s time to get going for Jesus!
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Well, dear Don, you have focused on one Bible verse, but I think you have missed the point of the article as a whole.
You say and I quote, "Yes, the Bible tells us to study for God’s approval, (2 Timothy 2:15) but the motive ought to be to serve God rather than serving our stomachs and bank balances." How my heart aches when I see this verse used in this fashion when that is not at all what it means. Sigh....let's look at it from His heart and read it again: Study (read, meditate, pray, ponder, search out) to show (to yourself that you are already) approved unto God. If nothing else evokes praise, then I don't know what will. Alas, 'tis my perspective; may He grant it to you as well.
'It's time to get going for Jesus'. Amen. I hope you have been reading some of the other postings of late. I think all of us are being given a very clear mission from Our Father at this time. Wonderful article and thanks! The message seems to be-stop talking and start walking!
Thanks, that is a thought-provoking message. Carl.
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