This is a continuation message of “The world isn't reading the Bible; they're reading Christians like us.”
You may have a question like Okay, I understand that, but how do I learn to live in a Christian world? Well let’s look at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, specifically Chapter 4 verses 17-32.
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Do you understand what was just said? Because we are followers of Christ, we must change. Don’t say that I should not have to change, or it’s too hard. Those are just excuses. There is a saying that goes: We won’t change; but we want change, or We want change; but we won’t change.
Read those verses again. We must not lie; get angry, steal, or anything to give the devil a foothold on your life. Do not speak poorly of others; get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger. Do not fight, slander or any other form of malice. But we are to be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving each other.
I also ask this question: Is your life any different than those around you that have never met Jesus? Life without Jesus is already harder, unfulfilling, and never delivers what is promised.
Okay, so Jesus is in my heart, but I am still struggling. Why? Well, do you read the Bible and pray before you struggle? I am willing to bet that most of us do not pray or read God’s Word before we begin to struggle, because if we did our struggles would be less.
1 John 1:5-7 says: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Again, how do we get that relationship with Jesus? First you must accept Jesus into your life and heart. Then begin each day with prayer and reading the Bible, because the Bible is the instruction manual for living. The Bible is one way that God speaks to us; another is prayer, yet still meditation.
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Do you understand what was just said? Because we are followers of Christ, we must change. Don’t say that I should not have to change, or it’s too hard. Those are just excuses. There is a saying that goes: We won’t change; but we want change, or We want change; but we won’t change.
Read those verses again. We must not lie; get angry, steal, or anything to give the devil a foothold on your life. Do not speak poorly of others; get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger. Do not fight, slander or any other form of malice. But we are to be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving each other.
I also ask this question: Is your life any different than those around you that have never met Jesus? Life without Jesus is already harder, unfulfilling, and never delivers what is promised.
Okay, so Jesus is in my heart, but I am still struggling. Why? Well, do you read the Bible and pray before you struggle? I am willing to bet that most of us do not pray or read God’s Word before we begin to struggle, because if we did our struggles would be less.
1 John 1:5-7 says: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Again, how do we get that relationship with Jesus? First you must accept Jesus into your life and heart. Then begin each day with prayer and reading the Bible, because the Bible is the instruction manual for living. The Bible is one way that God speaks to us; another is prayer, yet still meditation.
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