What Does Our Christian Walk Mean to Us?

It is not uncommon for us to have things we enjoy doing. Recreation is both fun and necessary. The term “recreation” itself declares the purpose of its practice; that of re-creating ourselves. It rejuvenates us, reinvigorates us, refreshes our body and spirit. Psychologists have known for decades how important it is to have rest and relaxation for our physical and mental health.

In respect to that many of us take up hobbies so that we have a structured system of activity, things that interest us and in which we take joy in doing. The list of hobbies which people have typically taken up is quite long, and includes things which we can do individually, which few others find pleasure in, and also community activities such as clubs and community services.

Realizing the nature of hobbies and personal leisure we limit the extent to which we spend our time in those endeavors, relegating our recreation to after hour free-time and weekends. We usually are careful that our hobbies do not interfere with our responsibilities and obligations. However , sometimes these recreational activities are allowed to spill over into that time which should be used in more productive efforts. We know, and respect the fact that our employers insist that we leave our personal lives at home. While we are at work we get busy with the important things.

If one is not careful he will allow leisure to become his god. On the other hand, very important aspects of one’s life can be so treated so as to become like a hobby, relegating it to the back corner of one’s life which are usually given to recreation.

Both God, the Father, and Jesus Christ have sacrificed immensely for our salvation. The main motivating factor for their sacrifice, as the Bible reveals, is their love for us. Consider these two passages:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. KJV
1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. KJV

God’s immense love for his creation motivated Him to give of the best of Himself. Christ’s love for us motivated him to become the servant of his own creation!

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. KJV
Matt 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. KJV

Both of these passages declare the depth to which Jesus condescended, and his loving, giving attitude. Also, both of these passages use this as an example for us to follow. We are thus exhorted to take on these humble qualities.

Since God and Christ have given so much for us, and given us the gift of life, how should we value that gift? How should we treat that gift? To what part of our lives do we delegate room for that gift?

Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? KJV

As this passage relates, under the Law of Moses that one who was accused, and that accusation was confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses to an infringement, then the one accused would die “without mercy:” there was no alternative, there were no appeals to a higher court. The judgment was sure, and the sentence carried out quickly. Now, that being the case, how should one regard negligence of the greatest gift God gives mankind: everlasting life with forgiveness of sins? What if one so regards the precious sacrifices God and Christ have made so as to take it for granted, or more severe, to “hath trodden under foot the Son of God?” Is it not the case that he counts the blood of Christ which was shed upon the cross as though it were not holy? Does he not despise the rich gifts which come from the Spirit of grace? That is the conclusion!

What, then, can one do so as to despise the blood of Christ, making it as though it were common, and not the precious and holy thing that it is? The topic of discussion of Heb. 10:28 is one’s faithfully “being there” to worship God along with the other saints.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. KJV

Number one: we ought to cling to our profession of our faith in Christ. We can’t be wishy-washy in our daily walk, and in our daily communication. Number two: we are also to be a good encourager to our brethren to also love one another and to be involved with good works. And, number three: we are not to neglect our attendance to join the brethren each first day of each week to worship the God of this universe, glorifying Him. . .

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. KJV

How unfortunate it is that today people have taken such a casual, disinterested manner about the worship of God. Many are far removed from the devout and consecrated disposition of the first century Christians. Many of the Lord’s body partake of the Lord’s supper in much the same attitude of those of the Catholic Mass, with all of its same ritual and ceremony. Those whose hearts are geared toward following after recreation and worldly, material interests may as well dispense with the worship altogether, as far as pleasing the Lord is concerned. Does one think that he is actually communing with the Lord when he hurriedly partakes of the emblems of the supper without regard to the meaning of these emblems, and the price which was paid for them to partake of them? As Paul was admonishing the church in Corinth, who themselves had begun to abuse it, he wrote (through inspiration of the Holy Spirit):

1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. KJV

Of course, the same can be said of the entirety of our worship: we cannot disregard what should be freely and genuinely offered: our praise and adoration of our Father and Savior, who gave so much to save us from everlasting torment.

So, the question is asked, “What does our Christian walk mean to us?” What is our faith? What is our Christianity? Has it become a mere hobby; something we tack onto our lives like we would recreational activities, or worse, something we just do to enrich our life’s experience, something we attach so that others might see what a rich lifestyle we have? Is it just a personal pass-time; something reserved for our weekends? Just how much do we appreciate what the Lord has done for us?

Jesus’ desire is that we don’t just have mere life, a mere existence, marking off time till he returns. Jesus wants us to have an abundant life, a real life.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. KJV

We cannot find the life Christ wants for us, and came for us to have, by “putting him on the back burner.” Jesus is not a hobby, nor some pass-time. To find this life in him we must:

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. KJV
Curtis A. Little, Royse City, TX
Curtis A. Little
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