Everyone Lives Their Faith

From Jon in Real Life

In a recent Deans' Chapel at the Word of Life Bible Institute I challenged students with a presentation I call "No Christians Allowed." I don't know about you but I am tired of being a hypocritical professing Christians. My personal testimony haunts my memory of times near and far when I spoke with my lips and denied with my life. I want to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, one who seeks to live according to the standards set out in God's Word - the Bible. I don't want to simply be a Canadian "Cultural" Christian.
Now the reality is (if we are truly honest with ourselves) - we are all hypocrites. Christians or anyone with any spirituality at all (which includes everyone) consistently and perfectly lives up to their professed faith. A part of the human condition is that we are all hypocrites at times and to some degree. The challenge is not fueling the flame of our natural hypocritical bent.

 “For neither man nor angel can discern hypocrisy, the only evil that walks invisible.” 

– John Milton -

I heard a quote a number of years ago that has greatly impacted my life (blessings to Casey at E3 Resources, the creators of the Evangecube, for sharing it with me):

"What I say I believe is NOT what I believe. What I believe is defined by my actions and my integrity."

Just as the Apostle James tells us in the second chapter of his epistle, "Faith without works is dead." Faith without works is not 'in progress', 'on hold' or 'good enough.' Said another way, if I do not have faith, I do not have works and if I do not have works, I do not have faith. I am not saying that we work for our faith but that works are a natural and necessary by-product of genuine faith.

That being said, to live is to express faith. All of the things we do, say and think reflect what we truly believe.

So here is the bottom line and our greatest test:

What faith are we living?!

Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays Rant

The views expressed herein are the author's own. Please do not hold said content against his employer, wife, kids, extended family, friends, or past acquaintances.

Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays...people are offended by the well-wishing of this time of year. Is anyone else sick of the debate?
Should we really care about how people greet us in December?

People are offended by "Merry Christmas" because they are not Christian. Christians are up in arms when they hear "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings," believing that others are trying to take a Christ (that they don't believe in) out of Christmas! Really?!
As Christians, why should we expect people who do not share our faith to greet us in the way we desire?
As non-Christians, why should we expect people to not greet others according to their beliefs?

What annoys me about this whole offensive debate (because I am offended by everyone being offended!) are Christians going overboard and being un-Christian over the whole issue. Christ has called us to love, respect, speak the truth in love, and give an answer for the hope in us. Christians are called to share Christ, not force our culture to call itself Christian by demanding the world say "Merry Christmas." I am offended by Christians demanding to be greeted in their way of worship. Come on! Let's extend a little grace and not be offended by something so inconsequential. I am sure that God is not nearly as offended by people not saying "Merry Christmas" as by Christians who unlovingly demand others to conform to their desires for particular personal greetings. Are we so naive as to believe that the world is really going to be a better place if everyone just says, "Merry Christmas?" Wouldn't it be better for more believers in Christ to live like Christ and seek to share His message of love and hope? Does forcing the "Merry Christmas" issue really show people who Christ is and what He has done to save or does it drive unbelievers away from a fanatical, ungracious expression of Christianity?

On the other side of the issue, why are non-Christians so offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas?" I am totally open to some responses here but I've got to say that I have never felt intimidated, offended, or overly perturbed by others insisting on saying "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings," or even "Happy Hanuka" to me. Is it really a big deal? Can't we all just get along in the way we salute each other?

I'd say the bottom line of the issue is the very 'intolerance' that we are not supposed to tolerate in our mosaic Canadian and North American culture.
Seriously Christians, we need to relax and just live in obedience to God's commands and not make a commandment out of 'Thou shalt say, "Merry Christmas."'
Non-Christians, please be patient with me if I greet you with a "Merry Christmas." I'd be happy for you to let me know that you do not worship Christ and hear about what this season means to you.

May the best of the season be to each of you! 

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.