
Life Styles: (Only
one life style will produce an eternal legacy.)
Let me start with some brief remarks about the most
productive life style anyone can ever have but at the
same time one that most people never acquire. It is not
a life style shaped by religion (Act. 26:5) or worldly
accomplishments (Phl 3:4-10), but by an ever deepening
relationship with the God of everything. People who choose this life
style are continually blessed as they grow in their
ability to trust God by exercising the faith He willing
makes available to the entire world. (Rom. 12:3) Their
surroundings here on earth increasingly become patches of life
and hope, not only for themselves but many others as
well. However, this life style is one which must be
consciously pursued day-in and day-out. (1 Co. 10:12)
(Heb. 10:23) For starters, it can only be embarked upon
by first receiving from God a new spirit and a new
heart. (Eze. 36:26) We receive this new spirit and heart
by confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. (Rom. 10:9) This
then enables us to start living this incredible life
style as we gain knowledge by studying the word of God
and then start applying that knowledge through the power
of the Holy Spirit to each decision we make in life.
(Eph. 1:15-19) This knowledge is not gained by just
reading the bible. What we read must be interpreted
through the understanding and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
(Jhn. 16:13) As this happens our thoughts gradually
become transformed to think less like the rest of the
world and more and more like God would have us think.
(Rom. 12:2) As we become more able to recognize and
choose God's council over our own errant thoughts then
the appropriate actions will follow. (Pro. 16:25) (Pro.
19:21) This is a life long learning process. The more we
follow what I am saying here, the more powerful the
results will become but no Christian has ever perfected
this life style here on earth. (Rom. 7:18-23)
Nevertheless, as we are able to make more and more right
choices based on the word of God, the events in our
lives will begin to bring more and more favorable
results along with more and more of God's peace. As we
persevere and change more and more in the way we think,
we increasingly become the catalyst for many profound
happenings to take place punctuated by many miracles.
(Phl. 3:13-16) (Mar. 16:16-18) The entire world basks in
the light of Christians who choose to live this life
style because God's favor is on this remnant of
believers.
Nations are blessed according to how
this remnant is treated. The more freedom given to the
remnant, the more blessed in the natural tangible things
of this world that nation will become. The more
tyrannical a nation becomes toward this remnant, the
more evil that nation will bring upon itself. Great
societies like America have been able to prosper and
expand civilization in a natural context for only one
reason. It is because Americans in the past have not
restricted the freedom of the remnant to live and preach
the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is within the tenants of
this gospel that all other freedoms reside. Yet, the
world does not understand this principle nor does it
understand the life style choice of the remnant. It's a
downright foolish way to live in the minds of most
people. (1 Cor.1:18) (1 Cor. 2:14) Often times people
become extremely offended by anyone who would dare live
this way. Even most Christians do not choose to live
this way. In the bible one of the greatest examples of a
person who followed this life style is Paul. Consequently,
Paul's works on earth will shine as a beacon throughout the ages
and continue to build an everlasting legacy for him in
Christ but many influential minds of his day believed he
was crazy. (Act. 26:24) This life style will also
produce the same results today for all those who choose
to live this way. It will build a legacy for each of us
who follow this path and yet many of those who associate
with us will think we are at least just a few bubbles
off center. I repeat again, only a remnant of the
Christian community, at any one time in history, has
chosen to consistently follow this life style. The vast
majority of Christians, including leadership, never
continue the journey.
There are
several major reasons why this happens. Fear, false
teaching, improper soul ties, demonic oppression, lack
of knowledge and idols (Idol's created by our worldly
minded desires for certain earthly possessions and
influence) are just some of these reasons. You see, it
is only the Holy Spirit who is capable of leading us
into the needed truth necessary to start living an
eternally successful life and that life starts as soon
as we turn the reins over to Him. However, The Holy
Spirit won't make anyone follow Him against their will.
Without Him it is impossible to grow in understanding of
the truth. As I said, this understanding cannot be gained by just
reading the bible. It cannot be gained by just listening
to the teaching of others. It's a very narrow road that
can only be followed by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians who will enjoy eternal life in the
presence of God still choose not to listen to the Holy
Spirit while living here on earth. Therefore, their
lives, for the most part, look no different from the
rest of the world. The book "Legacy" is a potent
testimony displaying the awesome power of God in turning
around the life of a Christian loser who finally chose
to become a winner by simply turning his life over to
the Holy Spirit of God. I hope this testimony helps
other Christians do the same.
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