Avoiding modicum haughtiness...
Easier said than done...the flesh pushes us towards being haughty consistently. It is easy as we continue on our journey of progressive sanctification that we may begin to judge others, even if it be actions that we ourselves used to commit regularly. Pride can easily be rooted and begin to grow and next thing you know we are acting as the Pharisees did thousands of years ago. Even the slightest bit of haughtiness is an ugly, ugly thing. That is why we should choose the Way. Before followers of Christ were referred to as Christians (Acts 11:26 ESV), they were called disciples of "the Way". The term, the Way, was especially used by Luke...could he foresee the future?
What I mean by that is this...how many "Christians" do you know? Or have you known? (I know I used to be one). I went around and claimed to be a Christian when the topic of religion was brought up. I was saved when I was young, baptized, etc. Yet, at some point in my life something shifted and I gave into the flesh. I was out heavily drinking on a consistent basis, doing drugs regularly, cursing profusely, abundantly participating in immoral sexual activities, etc. Now do not get me wrong, all struggle and fall short. I, however, was doing all these things by my own free will knowing from my upbringing that they were wrong. In March of 2008 I began attending church again thus renewing myself as a "Christian" as do many. The problem with that was that I had not changed my lifestyle (aside from attending church). I was living much like a narcissist according to the following definition: Narcissists - individuals that project a grandiose but false image of themselves. WOAH! Deep right.
That is why I feel that we should all be a part of "the Way". This term was brought about not long after the Great Commission. It referenced the way in which disciples of Christ were living their lives. Truly pursuing Jesus and His ways. Not just saying the right things, tithing, etc. Actually living their lives by what Jesus had taught.
I want that...I should show that I am a Christ follower by "the Way" I live. My life should reflect Jesus.
Now I know I will do things wrong in the future...the perfect world was fractured in the Garden of Eden. However, if we use our free will to really work on changing our lives to be more like Him then we can be a part of The Way! When we go to Jesus as the living water and the bread from heaven and the light of the world...we truly "follow" him and his teaching (we become disciples).
Jesus said, "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." - Matthew 3:8 (NLT)
Other scripture references of the Way: Acts 9:1; 11:26; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22 (ESV)
What I mean by that is this...how many "Christians" do you know? Or have you known? (I know I used to be one). I went around and claimed to be a Christian when the topic of religion was brought up. I was saved when I was young, baptized, etc. Yet, at some point in my life something shifted and I gave into the flesh. I was out heavily drinking on a consistent basis, doing drugs regularly, cursing profusely, abundantly participating in immoral sexual activities, etc. Now do not get me wrong, all struggle and fall short. I, however, was doing all these things by my own free will knowing from my upbringing that they were wrong. In March of 2008 I began attending church again thus renewing myself as a "Christian" as do many. The problem with that was that I had not changed my lifestyle (aside from attending church). I was living much like a narcissist according to the following definition: Narcissists - individuals that project a grandiose but false image of themselves. WOAH! Deep right.
That is why I feel that we should all be a part of "the Way". This term was brought about not long after the Great Commission. It referenced the way in which disciples of Christ were living their lives. Truly pursuing Jesus and His ways. Not just saying the right things, tithing, etc. Actually living their lives by what Jesus had taught.
I want that...I should show that I am a Christ follower by "the Way" I live. My life should reflect Jesus.
Now I know I will do things wrong in the future...the perfect world was fractured in the Garden of Eden. However, if we use our free will to really work on changing our lives to be more like Him then we can be a part of The Way! When we go to Jesus as the living water and the bread from heaven and the light of the world...we truly "follow" him and his teaching (we become disciples).
Jesus said, "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." - Matthew 3:8 (NLT)
Other scripture references of the Way: Acts 9:1; 11:26; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22 (ESV)
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