Real Christian Living

Why is Christianity so derided and disrespected? Many people look at Christianity and only see hypocrisy and inconsistency. Many professing believers in Jesus Christ are sad, angry, arrogant, hypocritical, inconsistent people without comfort, peace, or joy. This just should not be!
The apostle Peter writes in his second epistle, chapter one, verse three, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" The Bible says that we should have everything we need to live the lives that God promised us. Lives of comfort (not 'comfortable-ness' but the comfort of hope - 1 Thess. 4:18), peace (Phil. 4:7), and joy (John 10:10). Second Timothy 3:16-17, our theme verse for WOLBI this year, tells us God gave us all of His Word that we might become mature in our faith. What is the problem? There's really no excuse for us as believers in Jesus not to be living the message He taught, right?

Easier said than done but there is hope.

The problem is that we are, "Educated beyond our obedience." As James relates in his epistle, we are deceived because we are hearing the Word of God but not doing the Word of God.

Around Word of Life we use what some have called the triangle model to help us put God's Word into practice in our lives and ministry. If you are interested in growing in your faith, then this is for you!

Do you want to become a BIBLICAL PERSON?

Pick an area of life that needs a 'biblical' tune-up. For instance, how to handle money, our choices of entertainment, being a godly parent, husband, wife, leader, or child. The Bible is full of principles and wisdom on every area of life.

The example students came up with today are extreme 

but help make the points obvious and are in blue below.

Then we have to start with BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.

Ask, "What does the Bible say about the topic in question?"

Biblical Principles are true for all people in all places at all times because they come from the Word of the Almighty, Changeless, Creator God - the Bible. God created life and knows how it is best to be lived.

"Thou shalt not kill" Ex. 20:13

From biblical principles we develop a BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY.

Answer, "If the Bible says ____ about this issue, then I should _____."

Biblical Philosophy is not usually hard for us to understand because it tells us what we SHOULD do about God's Word. Most of us already know what we should do, it is a matter of doing it.

I should not murder (Ex. 20:13) or even hate (Matt. 5:21-22)

After the biblical philosophy is established we are motivated to do it by understanding the BIBLICAL PURPOSE behind what we should do.

Ask, "Why should I do _____?"

It is important to realize that the Principles, Philosophy, and Purpose of biblical truth do not change because they are all rooted in God's revelation to us in His Word.

I should not murder or hate because:

People are created in God's Image (Gen. 1:26-27)

God loves everyone (John 3:16)

I am commanded to love even my enemies (Matt. 5:44)

there are consequences for you and others (obviously!)

From here we develop a BIBLICAL PROGRAM to help us accomplish what God wants us to do.

Ask, "Now, What should I do _____?"

Our Biblical Program is our way of applying God's Word in a personal, practical, and specific way.

I will not murder or hate by:

doing loving things for and praying everyday for people who hurt me

meeting with someone I trust each week to keep me accountable for my thoughts and emotions

Not having access to guns -Extreme suggestion but gets the point across and truly Canadian :).

From blog

This material is condensed from a much larger and dynamic conference called Source One developed by Mike Calhoun and Ric Garland of Word of Life Local Church Ministries. In Canada, Barry Speck is the Local Church Ministries Director available for presenting this material.