Radical Lifestyle
As Christians, we are new creations, and we are called to act like new creations. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Once we are saved, Verse 16 says, that we should regard no one according to the flesh; because our old man, with our old sin nature is gone, and our new man, with our new renewed spiritual nature has come. We are no longer controlled by that old sin nature, but instead are set free to serve Christ, walking in the Spirit. The main question is, are we willing to? John 6:61-63
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?
62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. The flesh profits nothing, but it’s the Spirit gives life.
The flesh and things of the flesh profits nothing in your life. There’s no good that comes from doing things in the flesh. It does not do any good watching television, watching movies, watching sports, or anything else. It also doesn’t necessarily pull you away from Christ, but it can if you are not cautious. But again, in the very least, it doesn’t add to your spiritual life at all. Matthew 12:35-37
35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” That word idle in Verse 36 also means… lazy, shunning the labor one should perform
It’s saying that when we speak idle words, we are not doing what we should be doing. Instead, we are shunning, or choosing not to do work that we should be doing. Instead, what we should be doing is sharpening ourselves and others. Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. We are called to go out and bring people to Christ, whether they are close or far off. We do that by encouraging those that are discouraged, and sharpening those that have become dull. But we can't do it when we’re only speaking idle words to each other. Go Out and Be Like Christ! Have A Blessed Day! Pastor George Finney New Life Church NewLifeKenefick@yahoo.com