LIFESTYLE

Lately I found myself speaking a lot about lifestyle, the Christian lifestyle or the Christlike lifestyle; not a passive Christ-like lifestyle where one does nothing offensive or sinful but an active lifestyle where one is constantly doing good and manifesting Christ in all that we do, say and think about people. Ministering to them and not hindering them or becoming a stumbling block to them.

Christ-likeness is not an option for the believer. The Spirit of Christ lives in us and is meant to make us a powerful witness for Him, to testify of Him and to glorify Him in all we do, say and think. Unfortunately, this is not the focus of most Christians. We are still very much self-centered, selfish, self-conscious and self-seeking. It's hard to not seek our own good but for the good of others (2 Cor 10:24), not to look only in our own interest but also to the interest of others (Phil 1:1-11), not to be serve but to serve and to give our lives as a ransom for many, as is our Master so we must be in all His likeness.

The question I have to always ask myself is, "Who am I serving?" is it me or the Lord?" If it's me, then I am afraid this is idolatry, but if it's the Lord than I must forgo all of myself, like Christ emptied Himself and and became a slave (He gave up His glory in heaven to do this) and was obedient to the Father even to the point of being put to death as a criminal who is completely innocent.

What can I say about that kind of Christ-likeness that I am suppose to pursue after? How far behind am I and what about the rest of us? I suddenly realised also that the consistency of living a Christ-like life means also that there will be a consistency in missions for those who have been called. We are to be Christ-like, reflecting Christ, representing Christ and proclaiming Christ wherever the Lord sends us, first with our lives than in word and deed. What a challenge!!! Dare I take this up or dare we all take this up unto His honour and glory?

Pray with me and for me and for the rest of His church that the Lord will grant much grace, wisdom and sensitivity to His Spirit to be able to live up to His calling. Thanks be to God that All things are possible with Him and His grace is indeed sufficient and abounding. HALLELUJAH!!!