I once believed the finding one’s way to salvation was a lifelong struggle filled with pitfalls and potholes strategically placed to trip you up in an effort to deny you your rightful place in heaven and insure permanent residence in hell. My confusion about this had me questioning, if true, then how should one live a “Christian” life?
You’re not supposed to be able to earn your way into God’s presence. Faith dictates that you accept the fact that Jesus secured that for the faithful when He died on the cross.
So since faith without works is supposed to be bogus and simple faith alone won’t get you into the kingdom, I ask again, how should you approach living your life?.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.
Now I know that sounds simple enough, but my experience says it’s far from easy, sort of like knowing the difference between owning a home and renting an apartment. People take care of something they own much differently than something they’ll walk away from one day or return or pass along to someone else.
Hence to take ownership of one’s own soul demands a different approach to life than someone who mindlessly abdicates any responsibility for where he or she will spend eternity.
Until you realize that throughout history, men and women of God have been persecuted and murdered, you will not understand how dangerous it is to live a life of peace, mercy, forgiveness, charity and justice. “He showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you; to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah: 6-8.
This walk although rewarding, is still treacherous, fraught with perils unimaginable to the innocent eye. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians: 4:31-32.
Is this really living dangerously? Or is it so radical a concept that we ignore it, preferring a life of gossip, revenge, cynicism and pride? At the risk of ridicule and criticism, a life built around belief in God should be the ultimate goal. It should be okay to turn the other cheek, give the benefit of the doubt and respect another’s right to be different.
God’s purpose, albeit difficult at times, is easily understood. “Be on guard; stand firm in faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
Remember, you are responsible for your own soul. You are your own landlord. Building maintenance and cleanup is up to you. You are not a renter here.
