1 Kings 19: 16b, 19-21
Psalm 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11 Galations 5: 1, 13-18
Luke 9: 51-62- What does it mean to proclaim that Christianity is a way of life?
- How would you describe that way of living?
- What are the challenges and rewards of living a Christian way of life?
What does it mean to proclaim that Christianity is a way of life?
ReplyDeleteFor Christianity to be made real to unbelievers, it must be lived by those of use who believe. The external lives we live must reflect the inner changes that coming to Christ brings. Think of it like an Olympic athlete who trains for a sporting event their entire life, but he or she never fills out the entry form to the next competition. How unfulfilled that live would be. That’s what Christianity is that is not lived. For the stories in scripture (God’s salvation plan) to be more then just stories about things recorded in history (apostolic tradition), we must apply them to how we live today. We are the face, hands and voice of God to each other and to those due to whatever circumstances might have never heard the Good News of Christ. It is also a process that we are going through. We are becoming less like ourselves and more like Christ. This takes time. It can be described as a journey to which we are to growing in faith, hope and charity. To grow in these things you have to apply these to how you live. Christ is the pioneer of our faith and he has given us the perfect model of what it means to follow him. The saints are our older brothers and sisters according to the faith. They too give us an examples of how to live this Christian walk.
What are the challenges and rewards of living a Christian way of life?
Therein lies the challenges. Some may confuse this God’s love as liking everyone. We are not going to like everyone we meet. We are in God’s family now. Just think of your biological families. There are family members that we don’t get along with. Does that make you any less a family? No. Love is an act of the will. Loving the folks that we find it difficult to like is where we shine the most as a follower of Jesus Christ. Loving them simply is hoping for what is best for them, and helping them to find it.
Our ultimate reward is in heaven. Our soul goes on to live forever with God. It’s the family re-union of all of God’s adoptive children. It’s the finish line of life’s race. There is nothing greater!
How would you describe that way of living?
That way of living would be Christ centered! Everyday, in every way thinking of Christ and to him be the Glory! Asking our self’s what we are doing “Would Christ be pleased with this.” If the answer is yes, by all means do it. If the answer is no, don’t! Focus on the little things, but do them with a lot of love. Christ centered lives would have a lot of prayer in them. It is hard to believe if I lived in a house and never talked to the man who paid the rent for my stay there. That’s what prayer is. Talking to Christ who paid it all. This live would have a lot of service to others in it! Helping others with there needs.