Debt…owe no man anything

Debt is something Americans live with on a daily basis. The news is full of stories about national debt: The recession due in part to high debts; Wall Street and the greed that is practiced there that prevents the growth of wealth on Main Street; personal debt that causes high numbers of bankruptcy; and, States that are nearing bankruptcy unless their Legislatures take immediate actions to either raise taxes, lower taxes, cut spending or just do something! Everyone is talking about debt and "generational debt" that will linger for generations for the kids and grand kids to pay off in the future. People are scrambling to find ways to deal with the tremendous debts that are piling up.

Alternatives are being advanced from all sides. Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University advocate paying down debt by using a "snowball" process where credit cards are paid off beginning with the least amount owed on a card to the card with the most owed. The idea is to pay off one, then use that payment amount to add to the next one, paying the payment on it plus the payment that was used on the one paid off. By the time a person gets to the third or fourth card, the payments have become substantial and therefore, pay off the balance much quicker. Other alternatives include "debt reduction" companies that negotiate with the debt accounts to reduce interest and establish a fixed amount of payment for an extended period until it is paid off. This method uses a third party to "manage" the payments until the debt is paid. The Christian might consider any or all of these methods, but there might be another alternative to consider.

Turning to the Bible, the Christian tries to find the answers for handling debt. A look at Solomon's writings in Proverbs one finds,

"Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts." (Proverbs 22:26 KJV)

Perhaps the first thing to consider is to avoid debt in the first place. This verse tends to warn against striking up a deal that will result in the person owing another a debt. For sure it would be best not to take a place of risk for another and stand in as "surety" or collateral for another as s/he places themselves at risk by taking on debt with the promise that you will pay if they don't. There is a great risk that the person who stands as the sureties for others will end up paying the bill. If personal property or wages are established as the guarantee; the person can likely as not lose that property or money.

Additionally, Christian living should consider not making purchases until savings goals have been reached and there are sufficient funds to make the purchase without debt. Living in a deficit-spending situation will one day cause the downfall of the family, organization, state or nation. The one who is in debt becomes a slave to the one to whom debt is owed.

The ancient Hebrew culture had an interesting practice regarding debts. Not only could land or other property be purchased causing a debt, but people could actually encumber themselves into a debt to another and have to work as a servant. God had seen this practice and established a rule that would "set things right" on every fiftieth year, called the Year of Jubilee. The Bible says,

"Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land." (Leviticus 25:9 KJV)

During the Jubilee the land that had left the family came back to the original family; those who had been sold into slavery were freed. The Bible says,

"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." (Leviticus 25:10 KJV)

Of course in modern America the Jubilee is not practiced. It would be unusual for debts to be forgiven every fifty years. However, the Christian does have a responsibility to pay the debts s/he owes. That debt includes the taxes that are expected from the government. Not only is it the law of the land, but the law is something that God expects the Christian to obey. The civil laws of the land are sanctioned by God and actually become His instrument for our good. The person wishing to practice Christian Living will want to be sure and accomplish everything according to God's will in the matter of repaying debt and taxes. The Bible says all must submit to authorities.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing, Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." (Romans 13:1-7 (New International Version))

God has actually supported those who have been appointed as government authorities. They serve as His "servants" by doing the very thing they are supposed to by giving themselves full time to governing. Christian living supports the principle of paying taxes on time and making sure that everything owed is paid to whomever it is owed. In the final analysis, however, we are to get out of debt and owe nothing except love.

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:8-10 (New International Version))

Therefore, Christian living is to strive to curtail spending, increase saving, live within means, pay off all debts, avoid new debts, but always be in the debt of loving one another.

Bible class topics for study

Bible class members frequently discuss topics for study with their teachers. Since the time for study is so short at various Bible studies in Church or Sunday school classes, most members want to study something relevant and useful to enhance their Christian living. A general consensus is for topics like the need for evangelism, growth, fellowship and caring. Perhaps as class members ponder their possibilities, the following topics might be helpful.

Many Christians believe that ours is a very hostile society which has become uncultured with the so-called “normal” Christian values being relegated as atypical. What has traditionally been “good” is now sometimes considered “bad.” That which in the past was considered “bad” I now okay, and even common practice.


In some parts of our country, especially in some inner-cities, living with high murder rates is a planned-for way of life. Drug abuse is rampant will sellers boldly dispensing their product on the open market. But since most people are already in constant contact with the reality of the daily news, they need not list every social ill when it comes to their Bible study.


More importantly, perhaps, is the effect this society has on the life of a Christian person. It is not unusual for a Christian to be surrounded by fellow workers who lie, cheat, steal, practice profane verbal behavior, and in general, increase the stress level for the Christian. Christians must be in the world, but try desperately not to be a part of it; especially the part that is profane toward God.


This is not always easy for those who cannot insulate themselves from the harsh realities of our present culture. So what the Christian receives during that brief period on Sunday morning during their Bible study must focus on being an uplifting experience, offering hope and comfort, and in some way offering strategies to cope with the pressures of a reality-centered life-style. Therefore, during that time, for the Christian, Jesus must be the focus of learning.


So, to the Sunday School Teacher, the Jesus-centered Christian member pleads…


• Please do not give us philosophy. Philosophy has only given us ideas of relativity which has only resulted in the destruction of the absolute, which in turn has contributed to society’s despair. Just keep telling us about Jesus and His absolute power to offer hope and salvation.



• Please do not give us sociological strategies to help alleviate our daily stress. Sociology has only pointed out examples of the worst behavior; provided only a reflection of what is. Just keep telling us about Jesus and His Sermon on the Mount. Tell us about Jesus, His teaching about the kingdom, and our part in it.



• Please do not give us humanistic, educational self-help methods as a means to make ourselves better. Humanism has only aided in building the ego of mankind to the point of haughty rejection of God’s intervention into man’s affairs. Please educate us as to the methods Jesus used as He taught the multitudes. Help us understand the humble attitude that Jesus had as He gave up the glory of Heaven to present Himself at the cross as our substitute. Help us to focus on the fact that, as Jesus depended on His Father for strength, so too should we be dependent upon Him.



• Please do not give us a review of the secular or liberal theological literature. Much of that literature is simply a reflection of the rebellious spirit of mankind and a lack of understanding of truth. Please give us the Word of Jesus, from His perspective of personal authority, not as the scribes speak.



• Please do not give us a study of world religions. World religions can be counterfeit, and has nothing to offer which adds to our salvation. Please give us an understanding of a personal relationship with Jesus. Help us to understand that He is our friend and His words and shed blood are the power to our salvation. Keep reminding us that He is the way, the truth, and the life.



• Please do not give us a study of science and its technological power. Science has bought into the relativity of philosophy and is constantly changing, offering no stability or hope. Please give us an understanding of the power of the gospel of Jesus. Help us to understand the power of the cross, the death, the resurrection, and the blood of Jesus. Show us how to put our faith into what He has done for us, and how His power will sustain us.

Simply put, saturate us with Jesus. Constantly tell us the story of His love, and what He has done for us. If teaching the reality of Jesus is our constant focus, then evangelism, growth, fellowship and caring will be a natural by-product of our class.

http://astore.amazon.com/opinthouopine-20

Union adds burden to taxpayer

The taxpayer carries a heavy burden. When government officials require more resources to take care of those who are in need, they oftentimes turn to the taxpayer and levy more taxes. For Illinois the tax and spend habit has left the state 11 billion dollars in debt.

In 1993 the federal government believed that it was important for a family member to provide care and services for their own family and passed the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help with that task. A working family member could take a leave to care for another member of the family who was in need.

The Apostle Paul admonished the people to

"Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due." He continued, however, "Owe no one anything…." (Romans 13:7-8).

The debt Illinois owes is made worse by one Union's actions.

One of the largest public unions, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has pulled a coup for its members. In their current Illinois contract for 2008 - 2012 in Section 26 Maternity/Paternity Leave, it states, "All male bargaining unit members who show proof that their spouses have received prenatal care in the first twenty weeks, with notification to the Employer within 24 weeks, will be eligible for four (4) weeks (20 work days) of paid paternity leave."

What a nice little package for time off for the fellow to be home an extra month with pay. Taxpayers outside of the government employment should be so lucky. For state employees it is not just maternity/paternity; it is any medical need that the employee can justify. For those outside of Illinois employment the usual practice is the FMLA allows for non-paid time off.

Multiply these extra months of paid time off scored by the Union for each of the state employees in Illinois and see how many multiple millions of dollars get added each year to the already bloated budget deficit.

Taxpayers should write to their local representatives and ask for an accounting of this and other similar practices.

Biblical look at gangs

Gangs are plagues in the large and small cities across America. In Chicago some are calling for the National Guard to be called by the Governor because of the increase in the number of murders so far this year in the city. Gang members are often cited as being responsible for high rates of crime where they inhabit the area. The gang hierarchy is constantly on the lookout for new people to bring into the organization as gang members. Large cities and poor neighborhoods are prime locations to recruit new members.

Various forms of activities are used to recruit new gang members. In an account of a personal journey into the street gang, Dr. Mike Carlie presented five (5) ways a person is sought after to join: Seduction, Subterfuge, Obligation, Coercion and Self Recruitment. (From Into the Abyss: A Personal Journey into the World of Street Gangs, by Mike Carlie, Ph.D.)



Gangs will create a myth about how great they are and how great it is to be a part of the gang. This tends to draw young, impressionable people into the ranks. The gang will misrepresent what the gang actually stands for, and the new member does not discover the real reason until it is too late. The gang will often do acts of kindnesses to young people in an effort to draw them in to a feeling of obligation. Physical harm is sometimes perpetrated upon a person along with threats to force them to join. Finally, according to Dr. Carlie, people will decide to join through their own efforts.



Gangs have been around for as long as people have roamed the earth. It is little wonder that King Solomon, a Hebrew King, wrote in his Proverbs to not be enticed by the gang's methods and fall prey to their lifestyle. Solomon wrote in the first chapter of Proverbs,



"10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.


11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:


12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:


13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:


14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:


15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:


16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.


17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.


18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.


19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof." (Proverbs 1:10-19 (King James Version))

Remember that Solomon was writing to extol the virtues of Wisdom and understanding, a moral understanding. He is now contrasting the righteousness of Wisdom to the diabolical practices of gang behavior. He uses the word "sinners" as a person who is missing that moral mark. Indeed, the implication is that this sinner is one who has not only missed the moral mark, but one who is in revolt against authority and demands to continue to live in rebellion against that authority. This sinner is likely a member of a gang of robbers, thieves and murderers.



Solomon used the word entice to mean that this sinner is trying to have the person engage in the same kind of sin. Up to that point the person may not have committed the same sin, but with the help of this sinner the person can fall into the same lifestyle of sin. The obvious path of action for the person who is confronted by a gang member who uses enticement methods is simply not to go with that sinner.



These sinners are entwined together to plot some evil activity and want the person to follow in their footsteps and "lie in wait" as the evil plan is carried out. The plan looks like a misadventure of violent bloodshed that will be carried out exactly as the plan has laid it out. The person who follows the sinners through the enticement will be ensnared in the murderous activity and be as guilty as the original sinners.



Innocent people are caught up in the sinner's trap. As they lie in wait, secretly remaining hidden until the trap is sprung; the person who is caught in that trap is a harmless person who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This activity will ensnare the follower of the sinners and lock into place a permanent position in the gang. Bringing harm to the innocent person through this act is "without cause" except as it is an act that cements into place the sinner's follower, and makes it difficult to ever leave the gang in the future.



Verse fifteen (15) is the pivotal verse that gives the clear warning and plea to the would-be follower of the gang's sinners:



"15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:"

The path that Solomon describes is the path of a life-style of living a life of crime, murder, robbery, kidnapping, killing, and destruction of others' lives. Do not even start down that pathway because once moving in that direction with the sinners, each evil deed will solidify the hold the gang will have on the life of the follower.



In the end the gang members will simply become blinded by the evil they inflict upon others. The life-style will become so embittered with evil and heinous acts of harm against others in the community that they will eventually devour themselves. They will become like hungry ravens that fail to see the danger of a net or trap, but are so hungry for the food they fly directly into the trap. The gang will become so hungry for the evildoing that it becomes ingrained into the fabric of life, and the company kept, that they too will dive headlong into the trap of misery and destruction.



Hundreds of years before Jesus came to the earth Solomon, a wise King of the Hebrew nation, saw the effects of gang sinners and urged those who sought Wisdom to avoid associating with gang members. In our modern age those who are considering joining ranks with the gang sinners would be wise to turn their eyes toward Christian living and avoid stepping on the pathway to gang membership.

Think before acting

Sometimes people do not think before they act. They have so much passion about something that they want to forge ahead and engage in a series of actions before they think about the consequences of their actions. Someone has said that actions have consequences. We frequently read about business people or politicians enacting some policy that results in the final analysis with unintended consequences.

The Christian would be well served to heed the warning in the Bible at Proverbs 19:2:

"It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices."

One day I remember I played hide-and-seek with my little Sister. It was mid-morning and my Mother was inside the house. My Sister was not too much older than a toddler. When it was my turn to hide I knew that I could find the best place where my Sister could not find me. I did.

The old icebox was in the garage, sitting toward the back, with some lumber stacked around it. Climbing over to the front door, I opened it, climbed inside and shut the door to the sound of a definite "click." Almost from the moment I heard that sound I realized it was a mistake. I was taken with the realization that it was very quiet inside; it was also so dark that I could not see my hand in front of my face. With all my might I began kicking and pushing on the door trying with all my strength to open it.

My Sister had long since abandoned her search for me, and had already turned her interest somewhere else. My Mother, of course knew nothing of the game we were playing. Time passed and I continued to try to break free. All my efforts failed; with each try my strength ebbed, until I felt I was going to collapse. Somewhere in the distance I could hear my Mother calling my name.

With all the strength I could call upon, I once again began screaming for help. One last cry for help and then I was silent. It seemed only a moment when the door to the icebox opened fully. The light poured in, even from that dingy garage. My Mother grabbed me up from my would-be tomb and ran into the house to nurse me back to health. It was only by the grace of God and the fact that she had completed lunch that she called for me, and found me.

For sure in this case actions were initiated before the thinking was in place. Perhaps that could have been avoided only if knowledge about the situation had been gained prior to the "shutting of the door." To avoid this predicament Christians should consider the following:

When intense passion for a particular issue overtakes you, stop for a moment and consider the situation.
Consider all the possibilities of the actions and try to imagine the consequences of each of those actions.

Continue to move slowly and cautiously, gaining as much counsel and knowledge as possible prior to plunging into your actions.

Try to consider each of the decisions that must be made for each action contemplated. Consider that decision and try to see the outcome of that decision to determine if it brings the intended consequences.

Share with trusted friends or family what your decisions might be and what your expected consequences might be. Ask them to watch your back as you move toward your desired actions.
Prior to plunging ahead, pray for guidance from God and the leading of His Spirit.

Move on to take the actions you intended…Then take responsibility for all you actions whether they are successful or turn out to be a mistake.

In God we trust

"In God We Trust" is printed on all United States currency and struck on each of the US coins. For the most part generations before the current 21st Century generation thought that anchoring oneself in the faith of the God of the universe was not only the right thing to do, but was necessary in keeping with the purpose of the actions of our forefathers and their principles. From the late 1900's until the present day, a trusting, Christian living principle for the average American has been eroded. This is due in part since government sponsored public education has essentially stripped Christian morality from the curriculum being taught in most modern public schools.


The philosophical postulate for that erosion was expounded by Georg Hegel in the early part of the 19th century. The belief of an absolute Being that was responsible for the creation of the universe gave sway to the belief that thoughts and situations were relative as related to other, confounding information. The thought (thesis) was challenged by the confounding information (antithesis), and formed a new, but different, thought (synthesis). This philosophy was strengthened by the Darwinist presentation of evolutionary theory that postulated only the strongest survive (or is synthesized). This philosophical and "scientific" persuasion initiated a shift in the educational curriculum for the succeeding generations.


Prior to that time there is enough evidence that the founding fathers of the United States founded the Republic on Christian living principles that based the educational system squarely on the belief in the Almighty and the rights they wrote into the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were granted by the powerful God of the universe and not granted by the government. These founding fathers knew they did not grant "inalienable" rights through the formation of a government, but only acknowledged those rights were from God.


Thomas Jefferson shared his thoughts regarding who gave life and liberty while the Colonies lived under British rule:


"The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them." --Thomas Jefferson: Rights of British America, 1774. ME 1:211, Papers 1:135


Two years later Thomas Jefferson's thoughts were penned when he wrote these familiar words in the Declaration of Independence,


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." --Declaration of Independence as originally written by Thomas Jefferson, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315


During the time of the founding fathers there were three major universities established where some of them attended: Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University.


Harvard University had published requirements that stated,


"Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus which is eternal life, John 17:3, and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning."2


To help each student accomplish that, Harvard established guidelines to follow:


"Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein."3


Some of the founding fathers who chose to attend Harvard University were John Adams, John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Whether these men practiced Christian living or not might be open for debate, but they did attend a university that encouraged them to do so.


Yale University had similar requirements for those attending:

"Seeing God is the giver of all wisdom, every scholar, besides private or secret prayer…shall be present morning and evening at public prayer."4

Those founding fathers that chose to attend Yale University included William Samuel Johnson and William Livingstone, both men signed the Constitution. Another notable who attended was Noah Webster.


Princeton University published in its founding statement:


"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ."5


Almost one-third of the more than two hundred founding fathers attended Princeton. Among the most notable were James Madison, who of course became President of the United States, and Benjamin Rush and John Witherspoon both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence.


In his farewell address George Washington, the first President of the United States told the people:


"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions (sic) with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."6


What a statement from George Washington. He placed great importance on "Religion and Morality" and warned that no matter what education a person receives, it should not be expected "that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."


Over the years and to the current day those "religious principles" that George Washington spoke of have been excluded and national morality has slipped significantly. Regardless, however, of what the current interpretation of the Constitution regarding morality issues may be, it is clear that the founding fathers firmly established the Constitution on the belief that God is Absolute and His laws form the foundation upon which this government's laws should rest.


It is difficult to believe that upon reading some of the thoughts of men like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington regarding their beliefs in God and morality that they would advocate the elimination of Christian moral living being taught. This is especially true when one reads some of the founding statements of the universities like Harvard, Yale and Princeton attended by some of these founding fathers.


Today's modern education structure and curriculum reflect much more of Hegelian and Darwinian philosophical values than they do the philosophical values of men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.



References
1 Declaration of Independence
2 David Barton, The Myth of Separation (Aledo, TX: Wall Builder Press, 1988), p. 91, Quoting Peter G. Mode, Sourcebook and Bibliographical Guide for American Church History (Menasha, WI: George Banta Publishing Co., 1912), pp. 74-75.
3 Id.
4 Steve McDowell and Mark Beliles, America's Providential History (Charlottesville, VA: Providence Press, 1989), p. 111.
5 Ibid. p. 93.
6 www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/text.html
Note: For a greater detail of early education in America see David Barton, Education and the Founding Fathers (Aledo, TX: Wall Builder Press, 1993).

A wink and a nod

A wink and a nod, a glance with specific eye movement, the flash of a finger movement with a pre-defined signal, a spoken double-meaning word; all means of communication one with another to signal a hidden message not to be understood by those close without that “special” knowledge of the signals. Most people are familiar with those kinds of “secret” messages. No matter what the setting, whether a spy thriller or children playing at recess, the intent is usually the same: Perpetrate deceit upon those who are close by.

In our daily lives we encounter much of this kind of behavior. Certainly we watch it on television; story plots are centered on some sort of deceit that keeps true behavior or thoughts under wraps, and sometimes “for the good of those who need not be hurt.” However, when practicing deceit someone always gets hurt.

Even though it was a long time ago the Jewish King David was well aware of these kinds of messages. Before David was king, the first king of Israel, King Saul had become jealous of David. King Saul had pursued David even with the intention of killing him. So David had perhaps learned about some of this sort of communication and perhaps shared his experiences with his son Solomon. So when Solomon was writing his Proverbs he wrote,

“A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” (Proverbs 6:12-15)

This sort of communication and behavior has been around for thousands of years and of course, is very prevalent even now. Dissension, uneasiness, anxiety and fear, pent-up feelings and a strong feeling of dread overtake us sometimes as we live in this environment of deceit. As one day folds into another and life tends to move on a continuous spiral downward, we seek some relief. That relief may take many forms: Addictions like drugs, alcohol, sex, anger; or the pursuit of one relationship after another without ever finding one that provides fulfillment. Fortunately for us, God provided a way to break the cycle of living in a perpetual state of deceit by sending His Son as a sacrifice for all of us.

We are reminded by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans that,

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

As we submit our lives through faith in Jesus and what He completed on the cross to be a sacrifice for each of us, we are promised that our lives can be free from the sin nature that dwells within each of us.

For the Christian to live like a Christian it is necessary to accept God’s promises and place their complete trust and faith in Jesus and the work He did on the cross. There is life in the Spirit of Christ and the gift of power from Him to lift each person from the depths of deceit and despair that traps them in a life devoid of Christian living. Their response should be:

Believe God and the fact that He has spoken His message to us through the Bible.

In faith, accept Jesus as Christ and focus all faith on the work that He did on the cross by shedding His blood as a sacrifice that washes all sins away.

Seek out a Bible-believing group of Christian-living people who will help support the personal decision to accept Christ and carry out Jesus’ direction to be immersed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Continue to submit to the leading of Jesus and yield to His Spirit to grow in Christ.

Tell others about the experience and continue to pray for their yielding in faith to your Lord and Savior as well.

With your faith in Him you can live your life in the Spirit of Christ.