Living a Christian Life

Living a Christian life takes courage. It takes going against the common albeit wrong worldly beliefs that love is earned and not freely given. Unfortunately that worldly position is exactly what Paul is speaking against because that type of love has conditions and in some cases, evil intentions that are disguised as love. As we grow in Christ we are instructed to show God’s love to everyone whether you are a believer or non-believer. This instruction is very hard at times to accomplish. How in the world can you love someone who hates you? How can you love someone who has hurt you or a family member? How can you love someone who hates the very God that you love with all your heart mind soul and strength? It is not easy to do and this is where the bible will tell us we need to die to ourselves and remember that Jesus died for us. We should remember that when Jesus was on the cross, He felt the hatred of the world as all sin was running through His veins and yet He said these words in (Luke 23:34) Father forgive them for they know not what they do. These words that Jesus spoke resonate throughout the world and apply to everyone who sins against the Lord. Jesus showed no partiality when He spoke these words and neither should we show partiality when the Lord asks us to love our neighbor was we love ourselves.

Paul demonstrates to us that when we become Christians our walk with the Lord should carry certain characteristics and behavioral traits. These characteristics are identified in verses 9-21 with the underlying command that we should not take vengeance on the ones who come against us nor repay evil for evil but should let God deal with them in His all-knowing perfect way. We are given very distinct commands to love everyone no matter how hard or impossible it seems. But when we do this we are honoring God and His biblical instructions.

These instructions include terms like rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, steadfast in prayer, fervent in spirit and preference to one another. We are given opportunity after opportunity to live in such a way that shows how much we love God and how we desire to represent Him in every aspect of our lives. But, unfortunately Satan has a different way of thinking and living. We see that selfishness, self-serving, immoral living, worldly desires and hatred are just some of the characteristics he wants you cling to. The differences between living for God and living for Satan are crystal clear and they cannot be confused with one another.

Living a God-filled life practicing His biblical instructions we develop in us a true understanding of who Jesus is and what He went through. It will open our eyes to just how evil the world can be and has become. It is only through our relationship with God and the Holy Spirit in us that we can discern the difference between a Godly spirit filled life and a worldly spirit filled life.

We are commanded to treat each with kindness and respect not matter what world we live in. We as Christians are to love each other as Jesus loves us. But that does not require us to live, think or behave like a non-believer. That does not mean we become best friends with the unrepentant sinners. What that means is when we profess to be a Christian we should represent Christ in such a way as He did when He was on the cross and forgive. The most important action we can take against our enemies is to pray for them. Pray that they see Jesus in the same way we see Him. Pray that they would want a strong personal relationship with Jesus. That they would turn from their evil ways and evil actions to serve the loving God that sent His Son to die on the cross for each one of us. The same Jesus who felt the sins of the world as He was going back to His Father in Heaven.

As follower of Christ we should never take matters into our own hands. If we believe that vengeance is truly from the Lord then the consequences that God has for each of us is in perfect harmony with Him and His teachings. We need to let go and let God take care of all of our needs. Even to the point where it seems unfair. God is a just God and fair God, His judgments are greater than our judgments and His ways are greater than our ways. And, only God knows who will turn against evil and towards Him so why not let Him control every circumstance and lead in every situation we find ourselves in.

I pray that the lost will be found and that they will turn away from their evil ways in the world. I pray that as Christians we would represent God in the way that we would treat others. With a brotherly love and a Godly respect. I pray that our hearts will align with Jesus and that as Jesus rejects sin, we would also reject sin. I pray for healing in this nation and the world and our Lord and Savior will soon return to lift His church into the heavenly place. In Jesus Mighty Name I pray this Amen! Amen!