Oh, how easy it is to fool ourselves into NOT living the Christian Life. In our world today, we must be ever vigilant make sure we haven’t adopted a version of the faith that leaves us “checking” the holy box, but remaining lethargic when it comes to transformation.
The world around us will continue to embrace a false definition of Christians and the church so long as we allow it. God is calling you and I to demonstrate the obedience that comes from faith, and thereby witness to the world the true religion that God accepts.
Observations:
- Listening only, is incomplete
- Listening only, is deceptive
- Kingdom transformation begins inward
– with you accepting the word - Kingdom transformation leads outward
– with you doing the word
Conclusions:
- Good news and good works are inseparable
- God is training you to be spiritually philanthropic
- Doing good is its own blessing
Application:
- Get rid of all moral filth and prevalent evil
- Seek the welfare of your city
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Let the church be seen as rich towards the poor
1 John 4:21
“He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love his brother.”
Matthew 22:36-39
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jeremiah 29:7
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
1 Peter 2:11-12
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Proverbs 11:24-25
“One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.”
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”