Tho'ts on the Christian Life

Over the past couple of weeks, my heart has been impressed increasingly with a truth that is somewhat difficult to articulate. Please bear with me as I try to do so here.

Our faith cannot be compartmentalized. By that I mean that we cannot live a "Christian" life, and at the same time have a "secular" life. That philosophy stems from the world's way of thinking - you've heard it, "Family life," "Business life," "personal life," etc. We are bought with a price, and we are not our own, if we are truly Christians. There is no separation. Now, I will admit, there will be somewhat varying conduct in various settings, but the purpose of all conduct is governed by the Lord, and designed to bring Him glory, not us comfort or pleasure.

Now, I am straying somewhat, but I believe that will serve as something of an introduction. I am growing increasingly convicted that as we think, so are we.

Let me give you an example. A person who believes that they will give account one day to the Lord will live as though that account must one day be given. Their choices, their actions, their words, and their relationships will be ordered by that belief. I am startled when Christians say they believe such a thing and then make choices that contradict that belief. Such a thing is hypocritical, though common; and I have noticed it from time to time in my own life. I don't look down on folks for this, but I submit for your edification, that it must be rectified when we see it.

It has been helpful to me to think about it this way, and I hope that it may also be of help to you. When I contradict my beliefs by my actions, I question my beliefs - Are they genuine beliefs or are they mere intellectual acknowledgments? I mean, if they are genuine beliefs they will affect my behavior, my world-view, and my thoughts. If they are merely intellectual acknowledgments, they affect none of that any more than acknowledging that Abe Lincoln was a great President. I know it to be true, but it does not affect me.

Now that I've said that, I can explain this salvation think a bit deeper. The Bible says that "the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe." That means that those who have genuine belief (affects their behavior, world-view, and thoughts, not merely emotions) will be saved; but those who simply apply intellectual knowledge without letting Christ in deep enough to the beliefs to affect behavior, world-view, or thoughts are not true believers.

I've seen people accept Christ both ways over the years - some truly being changed by the Gospel, and others merely acknowledging Christ without change. I, myself, have been changed by the gospel, and know its power in my life; therefore I know the power it can have in the life of anyone who will truly believe.

That affects my desire to share the gospel, my desire to encourage others to share the gospel, and to help others become changed through genuine faith in Christ Jesus. May we all act more like believers because we truly believe and not out of duty and superficial imitation of what we think is right. Our power will be Christ when we do it because of deep belief; while our power will be our limited and weak selves when we do it of duty and superficial imitation of what we understand Christianity to be.