Just some thoughts from me today.
I have been thinking, recently, how the world expects Christians to live up to their expectations of what a Christian should do and should not do. Each person thinks a little differently, the same as each Christian lives a little differently from other Christians. I don't think I know two Christians who 'believe' exactly the same on how they should live the 'Christian life'. We have been in several churches through the years with our travels and moves and have not had two pastors who agree totally the same in that area. No wonder Christians and the world are confused about how we are to 'behave'. And, it is frustrating when we can't reach out to someone when they think we are not living up to their expectations!
What in the world would Christians be able to do to influence the world if they did not have to live up to the world's expectations?
Christian- 1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings.
4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ.
(from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Christian?s=t)The devotion from ICR today lists some things the Bible expects us to live by.
Four Commands by John D. Morris, Ph.D. | Nov. 26, 2012
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Peter 2:17)
Our text today gives four commands for believers to obey, each of which is
difficult but nonetheless "is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put
to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (v. 15). It comes
in a lengthy passage (2:11-3:12) that discusses the matter of authority and a Christian's
proper response to it. Ponder each command:
Honor all men. This could be translated, "Give honor to all." While the verb is the same as in the last command, its verb tense is not the same, here indicating a continued, conscious choice to do this, while honoring "the king" indicates the development of a lifestyle of showing respect to civil authority. Evidently our day-to-day encounters with sinful "men" require us to be continually choosing to regard them with honor and dignity. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Love the brotherhood. Our agape love--God's kind of unselfish, undeserved love--should extend, on a habitual basis as seen in the verb tense, to all believers. "See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22).
Fear God. A lifestyle marked by a reverential fear of God is in mind here. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7).
Honor the king. As mentioned above, this is to be a life's commitment, continually recognizing the God-given authority of human government (1 Peter 2:1-14).
"Having your conversation |i.e., manner of life| honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (v. 12). JDM
Honor all men. This could be translated, "Give honor to all." While the verb is the same as in the last command, its verb tense is not the same, here indicating a continued, conscious choice to do this, while honoring "the king" indicates the development of a lifestyle of showing respect to civil authority. Evidently our day-to-day encounters with sinful "men" require us to be continually choosing to regard them with honor and dignity. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Love the brotherhood. Our agape love--God's kind of unselfish, undeserved love--should extend, on a habitual basis as seen in the verb tense, to all believers. "See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22).
Fear God. A lifestyle marked by a reverential fear of God is in mind here. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7).
Honor the king. As mentioned above, this is to be a life's commitment, continually recognizing the God-given authority of human government (1 Peter 2:1-14).
"Having your conversation |i.e., manner of life| honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (v. 12). JDM
Four Commands (ICR)
1 comment:
Amen Belinda, we need to take our cue from the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ, do what he says not what other Christians think we should do.
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