How important is holy living?

[boblandis]

Dwelling on the negitive is not being positive. Constantly pointing out peoples shortfalls does not accomplish anything. Live your life everyday as a light upon a hill. Your example will influence all. Even the people with shortfalls.

[tsth]

So Bob,

Are you saying that for the church to be distinguishable from the world, is a "bad" thing???

Why would you assume that teaching the truths of Godly lifestyles and examples is negative?  Maybe it's a positive that people are needing again?  Amos 8:11

In His Truth,

Suzanne

[boblandis]

Suzanne,

  You took what I said completely wrong. It is easy to point out peoples shortfalls when we have our own. We don't need to point. We need to show by example. Dwelling constantly on problems keeps us from growing spiritually.

[Guest EPHRIAM777]

CWJ says...

!So.....we can do whatever we feel in our heart is OK with God?

Eph replies...

Of course not..Paul addressed this issue..! It isn't license to sin.."God forbid"...The SPIRIT in you does the leading..not you...So attempts at "holy living" by you are just that ....attempts..!

...Why do people always take the extremes when dealing with this..?? "Well can I go murder people or rob banks".??  No because God's Holy Spirit IN you will not lead you to DO those things..!

CWJ says..

Or need we look to the instruction booklet on "How to be a Christian"?(bible)

Or do we ignore it? Cause of grace?

Eph writes...

Your supposed "holy living"...is a cheap immatation of Jesus's holy living...God doesn't look at YOUR life..He looks at Christ's perfect holy life...You now are under his "cover" for sin will not be exposed for what you really are...! So enough of the "holy living"...! LOL

Don't preach "your" holy life to people..Tell them what a  wretch you really are and ONLY by the grace of God are you gonna go to Heaven..THEN tell them about JESUS...and His True Holy Life that HE lived..and direct them not to look at YOU and your shortfallings and failures..Tell them... Jesus is the one you want to follow and be like..not me...!

Thats what it's gotta be.."JESUS"...not you..! Don't point to yourself as an example to follow..Point people to JESUS and tell them to do as you do..!!

Follow HIM...!  

[Guest EPHRIAM777]

I have heard that the Christian never becomes sinless but that as we grow in our relationship to the Lord we sin less.

[Guest EPHRIAM777]

The followers fo The Way (Early followers of Christ) were first called Christians (which means Christ like) in the city of Antioch.

[tsth]

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to

[tsth]

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. F15 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved F16 are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

In His Truth,

Suzanne

[zaccinyak]

:lightbulb: Terri MC...

[tsth]

Dear zak,

In response to your comment:

I tried to couch my original statment and question very carefully so as not to make anyone think that I am referring to Legalism.  Every church has some "culture" of what is acceptable and what is not, that is not what I am talking about.  I am talking about a vital day to day walk with God that enables me to overcome my sinful inclinations and be the light Jesus wants me to be to the people I come into contact with on a daily basis.

In that day to day walk, wouldn't you agree that in this day and time there should be a distinct difference between the Christian and the lost?  And wouldn't that need to be accomplished by following the commandments given, in terms of how to "behave" or live by standards set?  And wouldn't that be in the small things.  Like, the words we speak, the places we frequent, the things of the world that we partake in?  I mean, why shouldn't Christians once again be taught, and told the specifics, so that we as a Church are not so "grey"?  To me, it is easy through the Word, to recognize those things on the surface that we should not participate in, yet I see a reverse theology in terms of today's society.  We don't want to admit, as a society, that there might be things that we "shouldn't do".  (don't take anything away from us)  We are very proud in this sense, and we will hide behind the facade of shouting "legalism" in order to not have to give up our fleshly pleasures i.e. (living together, just to name one, or R-rated movies, or any form of entertainment "tv" that we know Jesus Christ would not partake in)  "idols or things that in our desires, will override our Lord".  I just think, why can't we set an example according to the Word?

I'm just longing for a society that once again fears the Lord and recognizes His Authority, and not following our own selfish desires.

The reason I posted this subject is that I am currently in a Low period in my walk with God.  I have stepped down from almost all my ministry and have focused my attentions on my Schooling and on my wife and kids.  I still attend Sunday School and Mid-week meetings when I am not working, but at this point I am just wondering...  Are my expectations UNREALISTIC?  

Dear zak,

I know that it is not always a secure feeling to be in a "low", but it is a part of the walk.  And they will come and go, but the Lord is so faithful to revive and restore us.  And sometimes all we need to do is ask Him.  

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Lu 11:9

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Jas 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

In His Love,

Suzanne