It seems like one topic has kept coming up in conversations, blogs and Bible study, so I thought it would be worth talking about on here. This topic is that of a changed life: is it optional for a Christian to live a changed life?
My opinion on this is an emphatic yes! I've studied through the book of James a couple of times this year and James makes it crystal clear (especially in chapter 2) that genuine faith will produce works. A "faith" that produces no works is dead; that is, was never real faith to begin with. Elsewhere, the Bible is also clear- we're a new creation, called to live as children of light, we were prepared for good works, we should be eager to do good, etc. In our men's Bible study, we've been going through Ephesians and in chapter 5, Paul makes it clear that those who live immoral/greedy lives have no inheritance in the kingdom and have the wrath of God upon them- that is, they are not believers. So, I think the Bible is very clear that a changed life isn't optional, but rather the result of God changing our heart. We see in the promise of the new covenant where God talks about how He gives all genuine believers a new heart- a heart that has the desire and power (through the Spirit) to live a changed life that pleases God. So, I think our life before and after Christ should look radically different.
After living in the south for 7 years (as of today actually), I've noticed that the southern "Bible belt" culture seems to distort this truth. I hear a lot of "Oh, I'm a Christian because I went forward at church when I was 5" or "I believe in Jesus", meaning I intellectually assent to Him from people who live a life that doesn't reflect Him at all. This bothers me because I expect those who call themselves Christians to reflect that in the way that they live their lives.
Of course, I don't think that sinless perfection is attainable on this side of heaven. And, Christians (at least me and those that I know) still sin. In fact, I just recognized a sin I committed right here in Panera while writing this blog entry. As Christians, we will continue to struggle with sin, but the overall pattern of our lives should be different than before Christ and different from those non-believers around us. The Bible has a much harsher look at sin and sinful patterns in life than we do. After all, it's scary to see how the Bible says people who live in sinful lifestyles have the wrath of God upon them- not quite the do what you want, God will forgive you attitude around us today.
I want to grow to where I see win for what it is, see how it grieves God, hurts me & others, and hate it as God hates it. But, I'm not there yet and it's not an easy quest. But thankfully, where sin increases so does God's grace to cover it... and I'm thankful for that, because I'd be nowhere without grace. Certainly, God's grace covers our sins, but more than that, it's also by grace that we are able to fight sin and live in a way that pleases God- it's not by our willpower.
-JRO
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3 comments:
This is good.
As you said, we are called to be like Jesus, but we will never achieve that ideal on Earth. Even so, I tend to beat myself up over things many people would consider "minor," and I do it long after God has forgiven me. Although the Bible does mention some pretty scary consequences for sin, none of us can avoid sinning, and we fortunately live in an era where we are saved by grace. That's not an excuse for us to "miss the mark," but I also don't think we should let a lack of perfection ruin our self esteem, our sense of self worth, and ultimately our ministry. I think in many ways guilt (for a sin that has been forgiven) can separate somebody from a fulfilling relationship with Christ as much as their sin can.
True, guilt shouldn't be something we hold onto. Once we've confessed a sin to God, it's gone; no need to hold onto it any longer. It's a really fine line that we walk: realizing we're saved by grace and our sins are covered by the grace, but not using that grace as a license for sin. I think legalism & license have been two areas that people fall into ever since Biblical times and it still seems that way today.
Wait...so you said emphatically yes, it is optional to live a changed life?
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