Does The Way You Live Your Life Prove That You Are A Disciple of Jesus?

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:14

Following up on the message from last week, Our Pastor continued in the message series called “Redefining Christian.”

In this message, he referenced the idea of “basic” Christian principles and how, as believers in Jesus Christ, it is easy to shut our minds down when the “basic” concepts of our faith are being preached on because we have heard them over and over again.

As a recovering personal development guy, boy, how I could relate to that idea, I was moving on to advanced time management skills before I had even done one thing with the basics skills.

All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:15-16

The Apostle John was the last of the original apostles to pass away. Unlike those who went before him, he died of natural causes, but he suffered plenty—being dunked in a vat of boiling oil and then was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelations. His three Epistles and revelations, along with the Book of Jude, end the Holy Scriptures.

It is said that before John passed away, they would take him on tour around the church, and as would be expected, when the Apostle John came into town, they would have a packed house. When it got to John’s time to address the church, they would help him up, and the place would become silent, waiting for the words to come out of his mouth, and the words would be “Love one another,” and then he would sit down.

Shocked by this, they would prompt him to give them some “advanced” theology. So they would help him to his feet again, and he would say, “Love one another.” And sit down.

As I study the Bible, I look for patterns and simplicity. God’s promises become apparent to those who make continuous efforts to study the Word of God.

One of the early mistakes I made when reading the Bible was using the Bible as a magnifying glass to examine the people around me, and I was a fault finder in everybody and everything. This almost brought me to the point of wanting to kill myself.

By God’s grace, He helped me realize that when I use the Bible as a mirror to examine my life against and look for areas in my heart that He wants to help me change, I become a resource that He can use to help those around me.

I say all of that to say this… A life changed by God’s hands can be handy to Him to help change those around us. People will believe what they see in your life for more than what you say.

In my working career, when things start to slump, I have heard over and over again, it’s time to get “back to the basics.” In our Spiritual walk, the same principle applies. I believe we start to slump because we begin to become complacent and that we move away from the basics.

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Philippians 3:1

Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. 2 Peter 1:12-13

Both Paul and Peter knew the importance of repeating the basic message of our faith, and both continued until the Lord took them to be with Him.

As human beings, we have a strong urge to want to take pride in our efforts. To get credit for things that we have done with our hands. To be noticed. But without God in our hearts, all these efforts amount to nothing.

And without the talents and abilities that God has given us, we couldn’t do anything. And everyone on this earth will give an account for the skills that He provided us and what we did with those talents to advance the Kingdom of God.

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:12-13

For the non-believer, the one who did not accept the saving grace that God provided through Jesus Christ, this will mean separation from God for eternity. It makes me sad even to type those words.

For the believer, the one who has accepted the saving grace that God provided through Jesus Christ, this will mean living in the presence of God for eternity. And based on our efforts, we will receive rewards from God based on what we have done with the gifts that God has provided us to expand His Kingdom, where we will willingly throw these at the feet of Jesus.

As Christians, we tend to complicate the ideas of our faith. When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He brought Moses up to Mount Siani and gave him the Ten Commandments he was to present to them.

The first five Commandments addressed our relationship to our Holy God, and the second half of the Commandments were written to give guidance on how to treat each other.

These were known as God’s law.

Moses wrote an additional 600+ laws known as the Laws of Moses. Most of these laws, I’m sure, were written when people got confused about how certain circumstances in God’s Law.

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus has a beautiful way of making things simple and clear.

Love God and love those around us. People will know that we love God when we love those around us. This is a witness to our faith, observable for all to see.

Being disciples of Jesus, this should start with our families and the people in the pews of the churches that we attend.

Heavenly Father, thank You for a beautiful sermon. I pray You to continue to give our Pastors the ability to deliver Your message of hope in a way that softens and changes hearts.

Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

I am confident that Your Will is being achieved, and I pray that You help us keep our eyes on Your promise, no matter how difficult things get for us in the future.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray! Amen!! 🙏❤️