Living For Jesus (Part 1)

VIII.  CHRISTIAN LIFE: a life of righteousness, good works, and separation unto God from the evil ways of the world (Rom 12:1-2), manifested by speaking the truth (James 5:12), maintaining the sanctity of the home (Eph 5:22-6:4), settling differences between Christians in accordance with the Word of God (I Cor 6:1-8), not engaging in carnal strife but showing a  Christ-like attitude toward all men (Rom 12:17-21), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), and maintaining a life of prayer (Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6), including the privilege, when sick, of calling for the elders of the church to pray and to anoint with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13-18). [Not engaging in carnal strife is understood to include not only war but also church and personal relationships. This is to reaffirm the biblical teaching on nonresistance (not to be equated with pacifism) in war and peace (Matt 5:39-41; Luke 6:27-29; John 18:36).]

What makes a Christian different from the world? How should we live to show that we belong to Jesus Christ?

Intro:

1 Peter 1:14–16 NASB95

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Christians are called to a life of {holiness}    . 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:7 a.   The OT and NT terms for holiness convey the idea of {separation}    .

i.   vAdq'  (qadosh) {Adj. sacred, holy – as separate, apart (Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:7)}

{ vd,qo (qodesh) Noun: apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness}

ii.  a[gioj (hagios) {Adj.: set apart to or by God, consecrated; holy, morally pure, upright}

{Noun: a`giwsu,nh, hj f holiness; consecration. cf 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Thess 3:13 }

Romans 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

b.   Rom. 12:1-2 {we are set apart in two directions: from the world; and unto God}

Romans 6:17–19 NASB95

17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

i.   Rom. 6:17-19 {we are to display righteousness in our daily living; Eph. 5:9}

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

ii.  Eph. 2:10 {we are to be characterized by doing good works; cf 2 Tim. 3:16-17}

iii. 2 Cor. 6:14-18 {we are to be separate from the unbelieving world; cf 1 Tim. 6:11} Conclusion: We believe that the Christian life is a life of righteousness, good works, and

separation unto God from the evil ways of the world.

2.   The separated Christian life is manifested by various {moral}    {practices}    :

6 Moral practices that demonstrate we belong to Jesus. (Only 3 today)

1. The Practice of Honesty

The Christian is called to a life of honesty and {integrity}    . James 5:12

James 5:12 NASB95

12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.

{The Brethren refuse to take oaths: Government allows us to ‘affirm’ our truthfulness} Examples:

“Cross my heart and hope to die”

“I swear on my mother’s grave.”

with a hand on the Bible, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God?” [this means that my testimony is as true as the Bible, and if I am lying than the Bible is not true either.]

Interestingly, even the Military Association of Atheists and FreethinkersProviding community for atheists, humanists, and other nontheists in the military http://militaryatheists.org/about/faqs/do-i-have-to-say-so-help-me-god-during-my-enlistment-oath/

Use ‘affirm’ rather than ‘swear’ in the spoken oath and end prior to the ‘so help me god’ portion.Line-out and initial the ‘so help me god’ portion on the written paperwork.Contact MAAF if anyone threatens or has threatened your commission/enlistement/career in response to your request for these rights. MAAF can also coordinate for an officer willing to perform a secular enlistment or commissioning ceremony.

why is telling the truth so important for a Christian? Because we belong to God and are to be like Him.

i.   A moral attribute of God is absolute {truthfulness}    : Titus 1:2

Titus 1:2 NASB95

2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

ii.  What does God think of falsehood and lying?  Prov. 6:16-17 {despised/hated by God} Prov. 6 16-17

Proverbs 6:16–17 NASB95

16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,

iii. What are we are commanded to do in  Eph. 4:25? {stop lying - always speak the truth; Eph 4 25

Ephesians 4:25 NASB95

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:15 NASB95

15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

Matthew 5:37 NASB95

37 “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.

4:15 ‘speak truth in love’;  Jesus says ‘let your yes be yes, and your no, no.’ Mt 5:37} Conclusion: We believe that the Christian life is manifested by speaking the truth.

2. The Practice of Order in the Home

b.   The Christian home is to be {different}    from that of non-believers. Eph. 5:22-6:4

i.   What is the role of the {wife}    ? (5:22-24) {to submit to husband’s lead} Eph. 5 22-24

Ephesians 5:22–24 NASB95

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

ii.  What is the role of the {husband}    ? (5:25-29, 33) {to love his wife unconditionally as Christ loved the church; self-sacrificing; lovingly leading her daily} Eph. 5 25-29

Ephesians 5:25–29 NASB95

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

iii. What is the role of the {children}    ? (6:1-3) {to hear and obey parents; first time obedience; honor and respect: why? To live long and prosper} Eph. 6:1-3

Ephesians 6:1–3 NASB95

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

iv. What is the role of the {father}    ? (6:4) {to not exasperate or anger child: Eph. 6 4

Ephesians 6:4 NASB95

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

how? Not listening; improper/unjust punishment; too busy; hypocrisy}

Conclusion: We believe that the Christians life is manifested by maintaining the sanctity of the home. {cf Col 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7}

3. The Practice of Resolving Conflict Spiritually

c.   The Christian is to settle    {conflicts}    according to God’s word. I Cor. 6:1-8

i. What is Paul’s point in 1 Cor. 6:1-8?

1 Corinthians 6:1–8 NASB95

1 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

{We’re to settle differences between Christians apart from the secular court system.  They should be settled within the local church.}

ii.  How is this to be done? {Mat 5:23-24; 18:15-18; Gal 6:1 goal = repentance & full restoration to a godly spiritual walk and fellowship} Matthew 5 23-24

Matthew 5:23–24 NASB95

23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Matthew 18:15–18 NASB95

15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.

iii. What should the Christian’s attitude be in matters that cannot be resolved within the Church? {accept being wronged or defrauded (1 Cor. 6:7-8); avoid degrading Christ’s name before unbelievers}

Conclusion: We believe that the Christians life is manifested by settling differences between Christians in accordance with the Word of God.

4. The Practice of Peacefulness

d.   The Christian is called to a life of {peace}    through the practice of non-resistance. i. How are we to behave toward those who insist on being our enemies? Rom. 12:17-21 Rom. 12 17-21

Romans 12:17–21 NASB95

17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

{seek peace with all men; never take revenge; return good for evil; trust God. Yet this must be kept in balance with Rom. 13:1-5; obey Government til it conflicts w/ God}

ii.  Jesus taught the doctrine of non-resistance: {Do not use physical force to resist evil} (1) Matt. 5:39-41 {contrast w/National law of v38; v39a to you is Pl; v39b-41 you is Matt. 5 39-41

Matthew 5:39–41 NASB95

39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Sg indicating private conduct, not national; Point: no retaliation. When a Christian suffers bodily injury (v39), loss of property (v40), loss of liberty (v41), we  bear the hardships patiently without fighting back physically or vengefully.}

Luke 6 27-29

Luke 6:27–29 NASB95

27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.

(2) Luke 6:27-29 {We’re to treat others as we’d like to be treated (v31); we love, do good, bless, and pray for our enemies (then shoot them!?). Are brethren cowards? It takes great courage to face all the dangers on a battlefield unarmed!}

John 18:36 NASB95

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

(3) John 18:36 {Jesus’ kingdom is NOT of this world (not yet); His servant are not to fight carnally according to the worlds methods (cf 2 Cor. 10:3-6)} 2 Cor. 10:3-6

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 NASB95

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

iii. Historically, the Brethren have been opposed to “ {bearing}    carnal weapons of men” and have chosen to take non-combatant roles in the military (e.g. assisting in medical and administrative areas {e.g. Chaplains; contractors; frontline medics}).

This is not pacifism, which misapplies Jesus’ teachings to all, including the unsaved and nations.

iv. See the next page for the official statement by the Conservative Grace Brethren on the Biblical doctrine of non-resistance.

Conclusion: We believe that the Christians life is manifested by not engaging in carnal strife but showing a Christ-like attitude toward all men.  [Not engaging in carnal strife is under- stood to include not only war but also church and personal relationships.  This is to reaffirm the biblical teaching on nonresistance (not to be equated with pacifism) in war and peace (Matt. 5:39-41; Luke 6:27-29; John 18:36).]

This statement of affirmation of belief regarding the Doctrine of Non-resistance was adopted by the College of Pastors of the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International, on July 8th, 1998.