BE

A very common topic of discussion among people meeting for the first time is that of profession. The question of ‘What do you do?” is usually met with an answer that identifies what you are.
Honestly, I know for myself that I’ve never really guessed at how effective these people are at the profession they’ve declared. I mean, even if they say “I’m a doctor and I just started residency last week.” In my mind, I surmise that they’re still probably a pretty good doctor. This is because most things that we can become have training and some sort of evaluation and approval process that has to be completed before you can attain to the title.
However, this is not AS true when it comes to BEING a Christian.

True, there are some real things to address before becoming one; Understanding your sin and the penalty of it. The undeniable acceptance of a true and living God who is the Creator of all and the rightful judge of sin. The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, the God-Man – absolutely human and eternally divine who died, yet rose again, releasing all who will believe from the penalty of sin’s debt. And lastly, accepting Christ. Aligning your life to this true understanding and giving yourself to Christ as He’s given Himself for you – to grow increasingly obedient to Christ in your life. This is fundamental. However, other than getting a ‘good vibe’ from a conversation that isn't usually discounted by an obviously contrary lifestyle, you’re left to assume that their profession is genuine. But can we BE sure?

This is where things get difficult.

We spend a lot of time excusing contrary behavior on the idea of immaturity. It’s grace and it’s a good thing. However, what if we’re missing something?
Like, what if your doctor came in to the examination room and started mixing a bucket of concrete. You ask “Hey Doc, what’s that for?” and he(or she) replies – I just need to check your blood pressure.”
Yes, it’s an extreme example but you’d wonder if this guy (or gal) is really a doctor at all.

Am I leaning toward throwing grace out of the window? God forbid. And for some, it's easy to cast away how we live as a 'work' rather than a 'proof'. I'm not talking about simply being saved as much as I'm talking about being a representative of Christ; some people separate the two. What I am saying is that the Bible takes “BEING” a Christian VERY seriously. For us who have been in the faith sometime, we are supposed to BE about making disciples AND growing up those who have received Christ. For those who are new Christians, they’re supposed to be about being made and we both are supposed to be about examining ourselves to make sure that we are what we’re supposed to BE.

Here’s The Word;

1 Timothy 4:6 -13 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt BE a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.11 These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Hebrews 5: 12 - 14 For when for the time ye ought to BE teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye BE in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Peter 1:15 - 16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

We may not be today what we will be tomorrow as the Sanctification process is a lifelong process of growth. However, at a fundamental level – BEING a Christian is supposed to be something that’s evident; either you’re new and your humility and desire to leave the old behind and embrace the new in Christ is clear. Seasoned Christians are to humbly mentor the newbies, challenging contrary behavior and helping grow them up in this remarkable Spirit-lead life. And both are to BE in a constant state of self-examination, desiring to adjust at every revelation, uncloud every blindspot, and follow hard after Christ who calls us to where He is….where we all should BE.

In Him,
Cros

The Law of Christ

What is the Law Of Christ? What’s my responsibility to it? Did Christ take care of the law of sin and death only to saddle us with another set of rules? Is it simply from one standard to another?

Here’s The Word :

Galatians 5:17- 6: 2 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

This is a bit more Scripture than I usually post but there’s a few things worth pointing out: Firstly, look at 5:19 – 21. These are things that had a definite law(or laws) against them and the passage deals at length on the idea that these things extend from the sinful nature of the flesh which we, who are now in Christ, are no longer under the dominion of (all though it still has influence because we're still flesh).
However, notice the transition; not only from natural things to spiritual things expressly, but the heart of these two contrary laws. Galatians 5:26 goes into the root of where these fleshly expressions come from – sin’s prideful, selfish desires. James 4:1-3 emphasizes how the selfish nature causes friction. BUT the heart of the spirit aligned with Christ in love has different desires.

Think of runners on a running trail. Often times you come upon a runner who’s not as fast or not paying attention or for a myriad of reasons, they just end up ‘in your way’. The usual ‘modus operandi’ when it comes to these runners is to find the quickest way around them so you don’t lose your own stride. This example is not to make runners feel like they’re doing something wrong. It’s to simply help us examine ourselves – or as it says in Hebrews 10:24- to spur one another on to good works.
We have to consider our flesh’s tendency to revert to being self-focused when ‘the law of Christ’ urges us to be ‘other’ focused. Bearing another’s burdens is not simply a call to be tolerant or emotionally suppressive in regards to the personality of others, it’s to realize the reality of spiritual warfare. This passage doesn't assume differing maturity levels, it assumes that you're just as much at risk as the other believer. As long as we are flesh, we have to realize that the struggle will STAY real. People who love Christ just as much as you do are still tempted in ways that you may have overcome. They still have fears and weaknesses that you may find elementary.
Thing is, Scripture urges your two-fold response; first, don’t be high-minded. Be thankful that God has considered your estate and has grown you to a place where you can be of good use to another believer. Secondly, don’t assume your help as trivial. Don’t excuse the real spiritual struggle that has the believer in their predicament. Demeaning their plight puts you at immediate risk for being overcome as well. With this mind, you are equipped and encouraged to help RESTORE. Restore what? Sin separates, but God forgives. Forgiveness is not an end unto itself, but it's the avenue that restores right fellowship with God. This is exactly what Christ did for us, hence, the law of Christ.

The Bible is not contradictory – although it does tell us to work out our OWN salvation –Philippians 2:12, We’re in this together communally, and we learn to follow Christ with the help of believers who are stronger when we are weak. Thanks be to God that we don’t have the old law to try and shoulder but something way better. The power of the spirit to fulfil the law of Christ.

In Him,
Cros