Not a Hint

If you were told that being a Christian was an easy path, then someone wasn’t telling you the truth. There is some truth to the adage, “if it were easy everyone would do it.” No, being a Christian can be challenging. Staying apart from the world, denying our fleshly desires, and going against the culture of society can be difficult. But that is what we are called to do. When Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus, he put it this way in chapter 5 verses 3 through 5:

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

If you follow Christ, you travel the narrow road, you enter the narrow gate, and the bible tells us that not everyone will find it. It is the wide path that leads to destruction where most people will find themselves. No one is perfect. Not even the best of us are sinless. But we are held to a different standard than the world. Yes, being a Christian can be hard, but it is also rewarding. And we find that out most clearly when we are in step with the Spirit.

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Paul tells us that as believers there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. We may not have Jesus in his physical form walking with us every day, and the world and it’s pull on our human nature may be strong, but we need to strive to meet the standard that God has called us to. It is impossible to do on our own. But all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. And he tells us that there is no temptation that we will face that he will not provide a way out of. We need to press in to God, to draw near to him and he will draw near to us. Being in step with the Spirit is the only way we can walk in a way that is pleasing to God.

Holy Spirit

How much thought do you give to the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? You know when Jesus left this earth, he told his disciples that he would send someone else to be with us, and that someone is the Holy Spirit, the comforter, who resides in every believer. He guides us, he moves through us, he communicates to us, he helps us in our weakness, and he can even speak for us. Jesus reminds the disciples in Luke chapter 12 verses 11 and 12:

"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."

We need the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to listen to him, we need to trust him, and we need to understand him. The Holy Spirit can even heal through us. I’m sure you’ve read several accounts of divine healings in the bible, and I believe divine healings are being done even today because I’ve seen it first-hand. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy trinity and it would do us well recognize him and our need for him.

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Every believer has been promised the Holy Spirit. He is always with us, helping us in our walk, praying for us when we don’t know how, and as Jesus mentioned, he can even speak for us by teaching us what to say when we don’t know what to say. Don’t be afraid to recognize the Holy Spirit, to pray to him, to ask him to move on your behalf, to teach you as you read the bible and to comfort you when you are in pain.

Pass Judgment

Have you ever looked down on someone when their sin is revealed and becomes public? In your heart do you judge them, thinking of how horrendous their actions were even as they proclaim themselves to be Christian? In some cases you may even agree that you are somewhat susceptible to the same sin that had been revealed in their life, but maybe to a lesser degree. Well Paul warns against this behavior. Actually, Jesus does too when he tells us to take the plank out of our eye if we find ourselves trying to take the speck out of someone else’s – referring to pointing out someone else’s sin without acknowledging our own. But Paul says in Romans 2 verse 1:

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."

This is a very serious verse. When we see someone sin or act in a way that we think a Christian shouldn’t act, we need to put down our stones and be slow to pass judgment. Because if we don’t, we could be condemning ourselves if we do, or have done, the same things that they have done. I know it can be hard, but we must heed this warning. Passing judgment on someone else is a serious error. First, we don’t have the authority to, and second because we are sinners ourselves and are susceptible to the same sin that they are accused of. So, I challenge you to remember that next time you get on a high horse. Always err on the side of humility and mercy.

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Do not pass judgment on someone else. Because at whatever point you judge someone, you are condemning yourself. I believe that we should spend our time focusing on perfecting our own walk, while remembering that we are all sinners. And since we all sin, and because only God has authority, He is the only one qualified to pass judgment. So be careful. This is a very scary verse. In another place in scripture, Paul does say that we should point out sin in the church. But helping to correct someone in love, not judgment, is the only way. And even with that, I’d rely only on the leading of the Spirit to direct you. You do not want to find yourself on the wrong side of God’s mercy.

No Favoritism

Our world is a big place. In it, there are people of different ethnicities, from different regions, with different social standings, and who are valued differently depending who they are and how much money, power or popularity they have. Men may value one person over another, but God does not. Acts teaches us that God doesn’t show favoritism. So it doesn’t matter who you are, who you were born to, or how you began in life, it can always end in eternity with Christ - if you fear him and do what is right. In chapter 10 verses 34 and 35 it says: 

"Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."

This verse comes after an angel appeared to Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion, and told him to send men to get Peter who would later share the gospel with him and his family ultimately leading to their salvation. No longer did God only favor the Israelites. Since that time in history, everyone is accepted who fear him and do what is right. And by reverently fearing him, we realize the truth of his word and ultimately come to a saving knowledge of him.

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In Acts, Peter reminds us that when it comes to salvation, God does not show favoritism. Everyone can be accepted. Everyone can come to a saving knowledge of him. His arms are extended to everyone, but not everyone is willing to accept him. Have you accepted him? Will you accept him? If you haven’t, you are without excuse because God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Do Good

Would you say that you’re someone who tries to make the most of your time, money and energy? And do you gauge how well you’re doing by your return on investment? In other words; do the good results you get for your efforts indicate how effectively you’ve spent your time, money or energy? For the most part, that is good, solid and wise thinking… but not always. Sometimes we should do things just because they are the right thing to do even if we can’t see a result. Sometimes we need to just be obedient, and do good because that is what believers should do. Galatians 6 verses 9 and 10 says:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

If you’ve ever been good to someone and they take advantage of you, or if you feel your efforts were unappreciated or ineffective, I think this verse is for you. Paul tells the Galatians not to become weary in doing good, because at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up. So, if you are in that place where you’ve been helping someone or doing good on behalf of someone and you don’t see a return on your investment so to speak, don’t give up. At the proper time you may reap a harvest for your efforts. I encourage you to look for opportunities to do good to all people, and don’t give up even when you might not see the results you’ve been hoping for or expecting.

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For a long time, and with the right motives, you may have been praying for someone, helping someone, showing kindness to someone or just doing good for someone, but have not seen the results you’ve been hoping for. Paul encourages us to not give up, to not become weary in doing good because you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up. I’ve seen amazing things happen in the lives of people that I thought would never respond to the gospel, but they eventually did because someone never gave up on them. They continued to show love and they continued to do good. If you’re in that place, encourage you to do the same.