Looking at the Angles Christian

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man Truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another. Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses 22-25.
This passage is basically saying that once you become a Christian, you should start living the life of a Christian, putting away your old sinful behaviors. It makes me think of a time when I went to the grocery store with coupons in hand; ready to cut my expenses big time! I remember having a coupon for ten cents off of a particular brand of raisins. I didn’t want that brand of raisins, though. It probably was considerably more expensive even with the ten cent off coupon. I ended up getting the cheaper box of raisins, knowing it wasn’t the right brand for the coupon.
I rationalized my actions, thinking it was only a dime. I gave the cashier the ten cent off coupon deliberately mixed in between all my other coupons, hoping she didn’t realize that I had substituted the cheaper brand for the more expensive one.
She told me the total for my groceries and I started writing my check and had to stop. This situation impacted my life! The cashier didn’t realize I was lying and was stealing by substituting the cheaper brand of raisins for the coupon I used. I knew and what was worse, God knew! Was my loss of integrity worth the ten cents I was saving? (It’s funny how Satan can sneak up on some of us “Self-righteous Christians,” in very subtle ways.)
I immediately gave her ten cents for the raisins, telling her that I was sorry I had gotten a more expensive brand than the coupon stated. She told me not to worry about it, it was just a dime. I told her that I wanted her to take the dime anyway, saying I knew I had taken the wrong raisins and I wouldn’t feel right unless she took the money. Actually, I thought she would be horrified that I would do such a thing. I was prepared to be totally embarrassed by the cashier’s reaction because I really deserved it, but it didn’t happen that way.
I didn’t have an obvious consequence for my actions. It was more the realization that I was lying to God and myself. I was jeopardizing my Salvation over money. I’m fortunate that God has this situation pop back in my mind as a reminder from time to time. It’s especially helpful when I’m a “Looking at the Angles Christian,” figuring out some kind of angle to beat the system or I’m wording things very carefully so that I’m not telling the whole truth in situations, but not exactly telling a lie, either.
I’m very thankful that God gives me a conscience to remind me when I start slipping into old human ways again.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Real Christian

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the Truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses 14-15.

Some people appear to act as if they are marionettes like Pinocchio and others act like real people. The ones who act like marionettes, similar to Pinocchio, seem to blame everyone else and circumstances for all the things that happen in their lives. They act as if they are powerless puppets and others are pulling all their marionette strings, controlling their lives.
The ones who seem to be real people realize that they make choices in their lives that impact the things that happen to them. If things don’t turn out the way they want, they look at the choices they are making and make changes that ultimately turn their lives around.
I think that God wants us, as Christians, to be real people. Ones who can change our choices if we find our lives aren’t going in the direction that would glorify God. He doesn’t want us to be marionettes like Pinocchio, being led astray by those who promise the fun and excitement of the worldly life. He doesn’t want us to feel like we have no control over our choices and are powerless to change our lives.
If you have spent your life feeling powerless like Pinocchio, God is here to cut the strings that bind you and lead you astray. He can make you the Real Christian you want to be. You can turn to Him to help you make the necessary changes…no strings attached! (I couldn’t resist adding that!)

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.






What's In It for Me Christian

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?  Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 14.

Boy! Are we ever an “I-Me” population, looking out for ourselves as a “What’s In It for Me Christian?”  My impression is that God wants unconditional love.  He doesn’t want Christians who are only doing it to look good to other members of society.  He doesn’t want Christians who are doing it to reap the many rewards God gives His followers.  He wants Christians who genuinely love and follow Him and His Word, regardless of the consequences, both positive and negative.
Are we looking at our belief, saying, “Hey, what’s it for me to get up each week and go to church?…to be kind to others?  to take risks to be examples of our faith in the workplace?”  Something to think about!
(Well, this is my last editing before I send this back to the publishers, and I just had to share this with you.  I’ve been telling you throughout this book that I haven’t been taking the risks to share my love for Jesus with others.  I’ve always been afraid they would think that I’m a religious fanatic and back away.  Writing this book has been an extremely eye-opening experience for me, making me much more aware of my weaknesses as a “Self-absorbed Christian.”
Well, about five minutes ago, I was thumbing through the church newsletter while I was munching on something and saw a request.  It was asking for a volunteer to do a Bible Study at a local nursing home.  I surprised myself and decided to act on it right away before I got cold feet.  Unfortunately, the person wasn’t there but I left a message saying that I would be willing to lead the Bible Study and asked that they call me back.
The more I got to thinking about it, I thought this book would probably be ideal to use for the Bible Study.  Nope, I’m not trying to sell more books, although additional sales will help whichever charity I choose to donate the proceeds to.  What I was thinking is that I have this book on my computer.  I could copy several pages each week and enlarge the print to make it easier for the people in the nursing home to read.  We could talk about how they relate to the passages.  Although I haven’t listed every passage in the Bible that relates to a given topic, I occasionally have other passages that support a great many of them.  This may take us off into different directions.
You realize that I’m talking this all out with you, processing it as I write.  I think I like this idea, because I know that the passages I have listed in this book come from the King James Bible.  Then I don’t have to be concerned about which study guide to pick, worrying if another author’s point of view matches my belief in Jesus as my Savior.

I’m starting to get excited about this whole new adventure.  I almost feel a little teary eyed.  When I started this book, I said that I would see where God leads me and within minutes of being finished with the final editing, I read the request in the newsletter.  Not two weeks earlier where I would have thought that I still had too much to do or two months later, when I might have slipped away from my resolve to take more risks.  God had me read it minutes before finishing.  God works that way in my life and can work that way in your life too, if you let Him.  I know you’re a captive audience, but thanks for being here with me as I grow in my relationship with God.  He has positively influenced my life through reading the Bible on a daily basis and He can do this for you too.  Thanks again.  D.S.)

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is Christian

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man whether thou shalt save thy wife? 1 Corinthians, Chapter 7, verses 13-16.
God gives His approval for staying in a good marriage with a non-Christian spouse, because you might be able to lead your spouse to Christianity through your relationship with God. On the other hand, I think it says that if you’re in an unhealthy relationship, whether the person does or doesn’t profess to be a Christian, God absolves us from our marital commitment.
Now, some may think this passage doesn’t apply to them because God only absolves them if their partner is a non-Christian. Do you really think a person is a Christian just because they say they are? Don’t you think they are supposed to be a “Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is Christian,” by really living a life that reflects their belief in Jesus?
So, if a spouse drinks up all the money in the house and there’s no money to pay for food or clothes for the children, do you really think God considers this person a Christian? If a spouse is so involved in drugs or other vices and causes constant turmoil in the family, do you really think God considers this person a Christian? If a spouse has a hard day at work and hits the kids or you, do you really think God considers this person a Christian just because they profess to be one?
I think that God is saying the “till death do you part” portion of your marriage vow doesn’t apply because God said, “A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.” Sure, God would like all marriages to work out and doesn’t want people to leave just because they feel they may have missed out on all the fun that they think their single friends are having. That isn’t what this is discussing.
God loves the non-Christian, the alcoholic, the drug addict and the abusive person, all of which can turn their lives around and become Christian. This would have to be more than just saying they are a Christian. They would have to really live their lives as a Christian.
Sometimes we just aren’t the ones who can bring these people to God. Male or female, we have to be able to assess whether we are in a healthy environment for ourselves and our children. If we aren’t, we are absolved from the “till death do you part” commitment, because being in an unhealthy or life-threatening environment isn’t what God would want for any of us.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Supposed Christians

And he [Peter] became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air, And there came a Voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the Voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. And called and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. Acts, Chapter 10, verses 10-18.
When I first read this, I thought it was speaking solely about people formerly not being allowed to eat pork and other foods which had been forbidden in past Bible teachings. This passage has far-reaching ramifications. Later on in the same chapter it further clarifies this passage.
And he [Peter] said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts, Chapter 10, verses 28.
It goes on to say: Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all). Acts Chapter 10, verses 32-36.
Furthermore it says: And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His Name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. Acts Chapter 10, verses 42-43.
Parts of the passage that I’m quoting are changing the way that Christians think about the social system. In the past, certain nationalities or cultures were not to associate with others. God shares His will with Peter through a dream, using food as a comparison. Previously, certain foods had been considered unclean and not to be eaten just like there had been certain cultures of people who were not to associate with each other. Through this dream, God says that all the foods are acceptable to Him in the same way that ALL people are His. God doesn’t want His disciples just to preach to particular types of people or cultures. Everyone needs to hear the Word of God.
It shows that God didn’t feel any one nationality, culture or race was better than another. He wants everyone to have Salvation, not just certain people. I think if this was important to God then, people should live their lives accordingly.
It’s sad to see and hear some Supposed Christians talk negatively about people of different ethnic backgrounds. I don’t think we are being the best example of how God works in our lives when we are putting down different cultures. I don’t believe God wants us to think we are better than others whether it’s because they have a different ethnic background, different financial status, believe differently, etc. I think He wants us to be compassionate and supportive of everyone, being an example of how He works in our lives.
Here are some related passages:
*What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Romans, Chapter 3, verses 9-10.
*For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians, Chapter 3, verses 26-29.
*And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 18-20.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

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