T H E O P H I L U S

Many Christian teachers and preachers today often preach from the pulpit a wide spectrum of perspectives of how our faith ought to be lived out. There is complete truth to most of these expositions, that our congregations ought to be more challenged to live more passionately for his kingdom but yet there is that looming question that everyone always asks, why aren’t people actually living that way in this day and age? We can give reasons, judgements, and even research as to why, but at the end what we need are tools to practice our faith daily.

Popular mainstream Christian thought has many misconceived impressions about how we ought to meet or experience God. Many believe that meeting Jesus or coming to Christian faith must be some sort of major experience or a transfiguration moment. Some believe it can also be a gradual process of growth and formation. But these concepts, whether biblical or unbiblical, influence the way we think about how we ought to live daily as Christians as well.

Today I will be giving you a 5 “R” outline in the Christian faith that we ought to clarify and caution daily as we live daily in Him. I will share with you two today, and the last three over the next couple of days.

1. RECKLESSNESS

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 5:7-10

The temptation of every born again believer is to say that we need to be reckless as Jesus was for us on the cross. But mind you, that Christ was hardly reckless at all. It may be perceived as such, but in truth he knew the Father’s plan. Recklessness is often a trait of arrogance and is completely contradictory to God’s plan for our lives. To be reckless implies that one should do without the care of others and the implications they have on them – regardless if it is of good intention. We must be always cautioned against thinking that recklessness is a sign of righteousness. You may tithe more than what you find yourself comfortable with, but if that causes damage to others you are responsible for and puts you into debt, it is reckless and irresponsible. It is simply foolish. This does not mean that we ought to be cheap and stingy, but if our giving causes others to be in pain rather than bring blessings to everyone in turn, then we must be warned of recklessness. It is also not meaning that those who give extravagantly to the Lord are reckless either. It truly does take faith and passion to do so, but it is also certainly not the measure of one’s righteousness.

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11

2. RIGHTEOUSNESS

Radical faith is often seen as somewhat of a superhero status in the Christian world. Those who do considerably extravagant or outlandish things such as giving large sums of money to the church or NPO’s, or selling everything to go to a developing world country for mission work, and anything that seems out of the norm to be the staple of what people write about as “righteous” or “godly”. Although I am not undermining the godliness of those who have demonstrated such radical steps in faith to have accomplished something so commendable, this can also potentially be a dangerous worldview as to how Christian faith needs to be lived.

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10

God’s wealth and power stretches far greater than we could ever conceive. He does not measure our achievements, but he measures our trust in Him. In turn, righteousness does not begin with my effort to save oneself, but it begins with the gospel – the act of God that makes us so. It is only by the blood of Jesus we are saved, and thus made holy and righteous in his eyes. Acts of righteousness are the responses and praises to Him for our salvation. Thus the caution we ought to have daily in our faith journeys is we remember that our actions are not the means of our salvation. Instead, salvation is the means of our righteousness. Our salvation in Jesus Christ is the reason for our obedience, our stewardship, and our serving the Lord. We are called to Him first, so that he may be the one who forms us in His image.

TODAY

Thus when we feel compared to those around us that seem more righteous than we are, or outwardly do more than we do, it is easy for us to get down on ourselves that we simply cannot measure up. We wonder why we could never reach that place of righteousness and in turn become discouraged. But instead today be reminded of this: Recklessness is not a sign of our righteousness. Choose to be wise with what God has given you, and serve with godliness and faithful obedience. Be a blessing to as many around you as you can. Secondly, Righteousness is not something you achieve on your own. You are not saved by your own blood. It is only by the blood of Jesus! Thus whatever you do in your life, may it be because of the Good News that has entered your life. Because salvation has become the means of our righteousness!

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

Proverbs 3:21-23