Amen Teraside and Faithin1
Now that I have a few moments, I want to expound a little further on my reply this morning...
Christ came to set men free. The man who desires to live for God ( God is love) will choose to obey the law of love in everything he does. I am talking here to men and women who are converted, for the unconverted man does not know this law, nor can he obey it, for it is foreign to his sinful nature.
Satan is an angel of light and he doesnt mind his preachers talking about JESUS, as long as the message being preached doesnt set Gods people free. (wanted to throw that in there because it underscores the following)
There are some christians who would say, you must go to 'church' when theres church, and pray for a certain amount of time every day, and read your Bible every day...and in essence this reduces your relationship with God to a performance schedule, and you must be sure to have the right amount of check ins, and check outs on that time card at the end of the day.
NO NO NO, emphatically NO! That is NOT relationship! Rather, relationship to God (as with a husband and wife) has one guiding factor, that is love.
Do you know God courts us? Yes, He calls our names, He draws us to Him, He shows us His love in a myrid of ways, and even lets us go thru difficulties, often with not a soul around who can help us, just to give us a taste of how much we need Him. And He waits for us to respond.
Now I didnt always love God, but I grew to love Him. One day I began to realize that I am never more at peace then when I felt His presence around me. So I began to long to spend all my time with Him. (I think thats when He probably smiled and said now you are getting it!)
The more time I spent with Him, the more I learned I could trust Him, and the more wonderful He became to me, and His love and goodness and grace still continues to amaze me, so our relationship has grown stronger. Now as I go thru my day, I find myself talking to Him, about anything and everything, and listening for the sound of His voice...He talks to me thru so many people and things around me. And if a day, or even week, goes by, where I havent had time to kneel down and pray, (it happens) well thats ok...I spend all my days with Him. This is freedom, this is love, and this is the rest Jesus promised for those who would believe. It is true that, as it is with a man and his wife, that you do need your times of intimacy, where its just you and God. God may draw you aside when He needs to talk to you, or you may feel the need to get alone with God, either way, the heart that loves God will know.
1Timothy 4 Now the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons, and the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences have been burned by a hot iron. (everything becomes evil to them) They will try to stop people from marrying and from eating certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
For everything God created is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely.
Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women, but train yourself in godliness. Physical exercise is of limited value, but Godliness is very dear, A pledge of life, both there and here.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves complete acceptance.
To this end we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, that is, of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach.
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young,(Timothy, the one being addressed here was young, but this wise and godly instruction is so important to every follower of Christ, young and old) but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity...
Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. Pay close attention to your life and your teaching. Persevere in these things, for if you do this, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.
Let your speech be governed by love.
Let your behaviour governed by love.
Let your love be governed by love. (not fake)
Let your faithfulness be governed by love. (not serving God or your fellowman because it will save you, but because of your love for them)
Let your purity be governed by love. (Purity is a state of heart, which governs your conduct in all things)
Now a televsion is not evil, but what you choose to watch on it can be. Evil is not contained in objects, but only in the hearts of men. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he"
If you enjoy television, movies, plays, or any other source of media, or arts, be sure what you are enjoying is wholesome entertainment, the same goes for your children, for you are not loving them if you dont guard their young minds.
If a home has no television, but the atmosphere the parents create is governed by anger and quarreling, then you have failed to guard your home from true evil. Let a mans love for his wife be fervent, let his love for his children be as fervent... and the moderation and discipline and self control in all things, that he demands first of himself, will teach his children more about godliness than any restraint he may impose upon them, and without a doubt, his will be a godly home.
If you enjoy being outdoors, enjoying nature, sports etc...barbqueing in the back yard with your neighbor (even if hes a sinner) ...do so...again, keeping your speech, actions, wholesome in all that you do.
What does wholesome mean according to scripture?
Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
God gives man all things to enjoy, but if he spends his life only for his own pleasure, then he has not truly loved his neighbor, or those around him, whoever they may be, has he?
Scripture teaches moderation in all things. A good godly life, is one where a man balances his work, family time, play time, and is always willing to help those around him, no matter what 'time' it is.
There is so much we could say on the subject of what it means to be faithful to God, and live a holy life...but if a man lets love be his guide, he will never stray far from God. If anyone doesnt believe this, then read the love chapter in 1Co 13, and find that a mans very faith and hope are wrapped up and complete in love.
I do want to add this, because its such an integral part of this subject ...
1Ti 6:17 Tell those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and to share.
By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the life that is real.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.
Although some claim to have it, they have abandoned the faith.
May grace be with all of you!
