June 17, 2014
Belief determines behavior. Core values dictate how we live. And, it is not until our lifestyle is affected that we can say we truly believe something.
“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.” (1 Thessalonians 4.1)
Morality and work ethic (verses 3-7, 11-12) are the main lifestyle instruction in view here. Proper sexual behavior, and honest, diligent work characterize the people of God. The proof of belief is how we live; especially in these areas.
At least as challenging is our lifestyle in response to death. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4.13) In the darkest hour, our grief is limited and constrained by hope. Tears flow and heartache exists, but hope establishes boundaries that those without it do not know. And, our hope belief becomes a very real help to those in the family of God who are grieving: “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4.18)
These lifestyle issues take on greater importance in the “adversarial culture”, as one writer puts it, we live in now. A cynical and even hostile culture is far less concerned with what we say unless there is compelling evidence in how we live. “Show me how you live, and then I’ll consider what you say” is today’s unspoken code. Important as lifestyle has always been in validating faith and belief, it has never been more important in modern times than it is now.
Our culture is not hanging on to every word we say, but it is looking carefully at how we live. May those around us see a consistent lifestyle, and a compelling witness. May how we live open up great opportunities to speak of the truth that drives how we live.
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.” (1 Thessalonians 4.1)
Morality and work ethic (verses 3-7, 11-12) are the main lifestyle instruction in view here. Proper sexual behavior, and honest, diligent work characterize the people of God. The proof of belief is how we live; especially in these areas.
At least as challenging is our lifestyle in response to death. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4.13) In the darkest hour, our grief is limited and constrained by hope. Tears flow and heartache exists, but hope establishes boundaries that those without it do not know. And, our hope belief becomes a very real help to those in the family of God who are grieving: “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4.18)
These lifestyle issues take on greater importance in the “adversarial culture”, as one writer puts it, we live in now. A cynical and even hostile culture is far less concerned with what we say unless there is compelling evidence in how we live. “Show me how you live, and then I’ll consider what you say” is today’s unspoken code. Important as lifestyle has always been in validating faith and belief, it has never been more important in modern times than it is now.
Our culture is not hanging on to every word we say, but it is looking carefully at how we live. May those around us see a consistent lifestyle, and a compelling witness. May how we live open up great opportunities to speak of the truth that drives how we live.
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 7:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home