Defining key elements of life

I am surprised to see that even the body of Christ sometimes hold to elements such as success, prosperity, popularity as the key essentials of life. A lot of seminars on these themes come out to encourage people both within the body as well in the outside world.

Success, prosperity, popularity and growth are not something out of biblical context, but they don't become the central part of Christian life. For we define these terminologies as per what scripture teaches and place them in our lives.

The destiny of every child of God is "Home". The pilgrim's progress book beautifully describes this truth in a more realistic way. As God's children, we should know our life priorities and goals, only then we will move our life in the right direction through our choices.

2 Peter 1:10 (New International Version)

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

Our daily cross

Luke 9:23 (New International Version)

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Taking the cross daily is not an easy task, for it requires denial of one's own will, thought process and ego. All these three - our will, thought process and ego are constantly striving to take control of life, decisions and situations. When these are not subject to Christ, then we find ourselves emotionally struggling to handle life and issues our own way.

If we have to take up the cross daily, then we have to crucify our self-centered will, thought process and ego and make it obedient to Christ. When they become subjective to Christ, then we no longer are in control, for they become Christ-controlled. When they are Christ-controlled we find ourselves more balanced rather feel set free as these will be placed in the right realm.

Lessons from trials

Sometimes what we see as an unnecessary trial, may actually be allowed for a purpose from God. God is determined to teach some lessons to us, and some of them we may be learning them the hard way...Especially those things which are not easy to inculcate.

We at times may want our way in many things. And we get frustrated when things don't happen the way we expect. God may have to teach the way of self-denial which may not easily come to us. We may have to face trials for us to understand that our way is not the right one, but His way is...

Learning to trust God and His way of dealing in our lives may come to us as life lessons. So let us not grow weary of trials which may not be lifted in spite of strong prayers. Let us acknowledge that it is allowed to help us learn something important, which otherwise will not be learnt...

Psalm 66:10 (Amplified Bible)

For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified.

Having a Sober Spirit

How do you react when you are judged or accused by someone wrongly? In anger, in defense or calmly? All these three aspects are different ways to react when suddenly attacked verbally. But the way we react will show the level of maturity we have.

Being Christ's followers and having His image (in the process of) being built in us, we need to be careful of how we respond, communicate and behave with others. This is important for we are called by His name. And what we proclaim and profess stands by the way we exhibit ourselves in our day to day living.

The Word of God exhorts us to have a kind of spirit which is essential for a child of God,

1 Peter 5:8 (New American Standard Bible)

Be of sober spirit...

The Amplified Bible says it more explicitly,

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind)...

Only when we have a sober spirit, will we be able to handle any kind of offense or disagreeable situation with calm and composed temperament.

We are an example

It is very challenging for us to live like our Lord Jesus Christ by setting an example like the way He lived and the way He was. But the Word of God exhorts us to follow the Master. Each one of us are aware of our shortcomings and our faults. And we know that in life we have constant lessons to learn. The purpose of our life here on earth is to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ and that we do by living as a proper witness.

Many assume that being a witness is confessing Christ or preaching Christ. That may be possible and even easy for some. But being the right witness for God is by reflecting Him. Though this may be challenging, it is not impossible.

That is why Paul exhorted Timothy in his first letter to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:12 (New International Version)

...set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

If we can exhibit the above traits then we cannot be helped from being noticed. Though people may not appreciate it (and we don't follow these traits for people's praise but to glorify God), it will be deeply impressed in their hearts and for sure we will prove to be His witness that He lives...

Before faith becomes sight

When the underlying theory or factor of our faith is the fact that 'God is good', then even when there seems to be delay for our prayers to be answered, we will not be dismayed. We will still hope in the Lord, rejoice in Him and know for sure that we have a God who never leaves us or forsake us.

We will know that our faith is not in vain. For we know whom we have believed. We will not feel great about our faith for we know that we are feeble at times. But deep down in our hearts we know that our God is good and that He is faithful. And when this forms the basis of our faith then our attitude will be like that of Abraham's servant who prayed thus...

Genesis 24:27 (New International Version)

... "Praise be to the LORD...who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness..."

Abraham's servant got an answer to his prayer before he finished praying and thus exclaimed the above statement. But may we hold on to same attitude though our faith is yet to become sight...

The basis of our faith

Rev. Selwyn Hughes asks, "What is the underlying theory of your heart about God's nature?". Is is that God is Holy, God is all powerful or sovereign or God is love or is it that God is good? Though all these attributes are true about God, the basic attribute which we hold deep down in our heart constitutes the basis of our faith.

People of God who believe that God is good, are the ones who face even the adverse conditions of their life without bitterness. Otherwise adverse or unfavorable life circumstances are handled with frustration, bitterness, hatred, resentments, self pity and even despair. Only when we believe deep down in our hearts that our God is good and He knows how to deal with our lives, will the basis of our faith be set right. And whatever be the situation, we will be able to sing...

'God is good, we sing and shout it

God is good, we celebrate it

God is good, no more we doubt it,

God is good, we know its true"

1 Chronicles 16:34 (New International Version)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.