This "Christian" Thing
(06-05-05)
1Pet.4:12-19
It is a Good thing to be a Christian or so we think. Why do we think it is good to be a Christian? Is being a Christian like belong to a club and in that gain special favors or blessings? In being a Christian do we expect preferred treatment from God? (Have we maybe even been lead to believe such through our teachings?)
Peter understands the truth or the raw reality of what being a Christian entails – the potential for hardship and pain and suffering. Don’t be confused there is great blessing to be gained by being a Christian but the world is not impressed with those things. (1Pet4:3-4) I like Peter’s choice of words for the trials or ordeals that we should not be surprised at – ‘fiery’.
The world is being led astray. The carrot of our affections and desires dangled before our watering mouths. The world is pulled by its natural, base desires to be satisfied. Being a Christian is being master over those things that would rather be getting what they want. (Gal.5:17; Col.2:20-23)
Being a Christian touches every facet of a persons life or at least it ought to. Here are four areas that are influenced by being a Christian: