Better or Worse (The Belief Not the Vow)
“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deuteronomy 7:9
Our beliefs affect how we act.
It is a simple concept. When we believe the Ten Commandments we will teach our children to love God, not to lie, kill, and commit adultery (among other things). If we think the Ten Commandments are restrictive teachings of an ancient society with no bearing on our day, we will teach what we think is right rather than as God’s teaching.
It gets more complicated when we think about some of the other teaching of the scripture that are not as straightforward as, “Thou shall not……”
It’s Getting Worse
For instance, if you learned, as I did, that things are getting worse and worse in the world and this is proof that Christ will return very soon, it can affect the way you live. The way we teach our children about evangelism and Christian living will also change.
Many Christians believe that Christ will return any day now so our only concern should be with the salvation of individuals. We should not worry about affecting our culture with Christian principles, even though the lives of everyone improve when we live according to God’s Word.
If we aren’t going to be here for long, why waste our energy on such efforts as improving education and insisting on integrity in politics?
It’s Getting Better
On the other hand, if we believe as my husband has been pointing out to me for years now, that things are getting better, we will have a very different, long term view. What he has taught me to look at is Christianity, not the daily news.
Christ started out with 12 disciples and a few hundred followers in one small part of the world. There are now 2 billion Christians worldwide and the numbers are growing outside of Western culture (where we have abandoned Christian living for personal piety and church activity).
God’s Kingdom
With this understanding we are more likely to be willing to press for God’s law to be the law of every land.
I know that cannot happen overnight but it seems we have given up hope of ever having a godly place to live and do our work. The challenge I have received from this understanding of how God is slowly but surely growing His kingdom on earth, is that I am to speak and to act like I know it is His kingdom.
I once thought that because it is not a predominantly Christian culture that I can’t expect Christian law and principles to rule the day. The truth is that God already expects the world to obey His laws and principles. It is a true sign of not loving my neighbor when I fail to speak the truth to those whom God will judge (which is everyone!)
Nothing has changed since the Psalmist wrote, “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:7-8
How can we proclaim that Christ is King of heaven and earth, now? (Matthew 28:18, Acts 17:24)
It is the best way to act on what we believe and love our neighbors at the same time.
I love your statement. “Our beliefs affect how we act.” This is true.
Melissa, It is true but it took me a long time to see. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Great post!
Thanks for commenting! Glory to God!
So true! There is nothing new under the sun. Nothing surprises God, and there is no new sin. So I live by thinking Christ could come at any time, but that doesn’t mean I abandon daily living for Him in the midst of culture!
Very nice statement on how we need to look to Christ rather than the evening news to set our moods and plan for our futures. God bless!
Great way to say it! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Yes, Christ is looking for His beautiful bride, the Church. May we make ourselves ready until He comes (whenever that is!).
A beautiful message and entirely based on what we see in the Word! Your husband is wise! Right now where I sit, two hundred years ago no one had ever heard the gospel. Now this is one of the most Christian areas in which I’ve ever lived. That small band of 12 set on course the plan God had for changing the entire world, the message spread and continues to spread, and the world continues to change for good. Therefore, we must be concerned about justice. We must implement God’s goodness and justice toward others as we live out our Christian lives in the location wherever he has placed us. Everywhere Christianity goes it changes the culture for good, because the Lord is concerned about the marginalized, the enslaved, the downtrodden, the sick, the imprisoned, and on and on. THIS shapes our lives and the condition of our world. It is the living out of the Gospel. Well written, sister!
Thank you, Melinda, It is as you say, the culture should be changed by the presence of Christ in His people. Only through regeneration of hearts will we see it happen. May God be praised as He works through us!
Love the encouragement in this post! Yes, it might seem like we’re moving further away from God, but it makes our job here so much more important! We have a message and we need to share it!
Amen, Julie! It is an important message.
I pray we can have God’s law be the law of every land!
I love “Amen-ing” that prayer!
A-Men Sister, right on target!! God Bless
Thanks Stephen! God is good.
What an encouraging word! And most importantly, you keep pointing us back to the truth of God’s Word. May we not give up, not one inch of ground, in any area, to the enemy. May we be empowered to seek God’s truth, justice, love and grace AND his gospel message in every moment that we have.
And, your words are encouraging to me! Thanks.