The Christian Life In Context

If you were of the world, 

the world would love its own; 

but because you are not of the world, 

but I chose you out of the world, 

because of this the world hates you. 

Remember the word that I said to you, 

A slave is not greater than his master.

John 15:19-20

A problem some Christians appear to have is that ...
they are living their life out of context. 

What does it mean to live your life out of context? 

And what qualifications do I have to explain God’s context is for someone else’s life? 
God’s Word makes this perfectly clear; but many are clearly ... not listening. 

Non-Christians are free to live their lives any way they wish ... 
but Christians have been bought and paid for at a price 
by Jesus Christ when He died for their sins on the cross at Calvary. 

When Christians choose to do whatever they wish ...
and develop whatever philosophy, worldview, values, and priorities they wish, 
this is the reason why many view Christians as the worst kind of hypocrites.

When a person believes in Christ as Savior ... at that very moment, he or she is born again spiritually and becomes a citizen of heaven eternally. The scriptures explain that “old things have passed away and new things have come.” 

We have been given the honor to abide above in fellowship with the Holy Spirit ...

while we are still here on the earth in our flesh. 

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3

We are also told that … we are no longer to be conformed (to the teachings of the world) but be transformed by the renewing of our minds … so that we may prove (the life that we live will demonstrate) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Additionally, “we are to no longer live for ourselves, but instead are to live for Him who died and rose again on our behalf.”  2 Corinthians 5:14-21 - All Christians have been given a mission as ambassadors for Christ with a ministry of reconciliation.  

It is God’s plan for Christ to speak to those who do not know Him through each of us. And Also that the life that we live in their midst, becomes an ongoing witness of His never-ending love and forgiveness ... which is available to everyone. This is our context as Christians.

So what does it mean for Christians to live their life out of context? 

Well … before we became Christians we were trained and conditioned in the ways of the world but once we believed in Jesus and accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, we are to be in the world; but no longer of the world. An ambassador is an official representative in a foreign land that is strange or foreign to him.

We are to be transformed, and to see things and people with a renewed heart and mind; and by the leading of the Holy Spirit and His eternal Truth. Many Christians appear to not even acknowledge the existence of the Holy Spirit, and have decided to continue to follow the teachings of men; rather than the eternal Truth of God’s Word.

The idea of biblical absolutes, and the Lord’s moment by moment presence and leading is foreign to these Christians because they are living as foreigners to Christ. To measure the teachings of men up against God’s truth has never occurred to them. They pray to Christ and believe in Him; but then they continue on and live their lives as if nothing has changed. This is a Christian living their life out of context.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Jesus explains this present reality more clearly here:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:1-6

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 1:9-10

Things have changed … and we all need to be the person Jesus has called us to be.

God bless you my friends, Bob