THE PAGES OF OUR LIVES
By Cougan Collins
lgchurchofchrist@cableone.net
Christianity addresses the whole of our life. Christ did not
come to earth and suffer for only one day of the week of our lives. In saving
us, He laid claim to the whole of our lives. He has redeemed us from slavery to
sin, now we are his bond-servants (Rom. 6:18-19) He demands nothing less than
all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30). If we want His salvation,
blessings and eternal life, He must be the Lord of the whole of our life (
* Christ expects our personal life to be dedicated to Him.
We must crucify self (Gal. 2:20), deny self and follow Him (Mt. 16:24). We must
purify our souls by obeying His truth (1 Pet. 1:22). Our bodies must be
presented to Him as living sacrifices (
* Our family must be dedicated to Him and governed by His Word, for except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it (Ps. 127:1). Husbands and wives must relate to each other as Christ directs (Eph. 5:22-32). Otherwise, their prayers will be hindered (I Pet. 3:7). Parents must train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4). Our worship on the Lord's Day is the culmination of a week of living for Christ.
* We must take our faith with us to work. We owe our employers diligence, honesty, and our best effort (Eph. 6:5-7). Employers owe their employees fairness, respect, and reasonable wages (Mal. 3:5). Businessmen have Christian responsibilities to their customers such as honesty, quality products, and service.
* Christ also governs the social life of His people. As Christians, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mt.22:39). We are to work that which is good to all men (Gal. 6:10). We are to treat others as we wish to be treated (Mt. 7:12).
* God has given us civic duties. We are to honor those who
rule over us (1 Pet. 2:17) and obey every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake
(1 Pet. 2:13).There should be no better citizens than children of God. To
please our God, we pay our taxes and extend honor to those who serve the state
(
* We have a duty to humanity in general and our community in
particular. It is our responsibility to preach the good news of Christ to every
creature (Rom. 1:14-15). We are to demonstrate to them the superiority of
Christ's way (Mt. 5:14-16). We are to reach out in the name of our merciful God
to assist the fatherless and widows in their affliction (
* We have responsibilities in the Lord's church. It is our mission to see His will done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10). We are to love the church and labor for her success and progress. We must defend her walls against her enemies. We repair the damage others may do to her (Ezek. 22:30). Our hearts are full of love and affection for the Master's cause. We support her with our gifts (1 Cor. 16:1-2) and pray daily for her prosperity as long as we have breath in our bodies.
Christ died to save and sanctify our body, soul, and spirit (I Thess. 5:23). He expects us to love and serve him in every aspect of our lives, seven days every week. We invite you to worship with us at the Lone Grove Church of Christ.
Adapted from John Waddey