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The Bible and A Way of Life – 10 September 2009
We continue with the book “A Pilgrim Way” by Ray Simpson, as we consider God’s call on us to a Way of Life.
“A “Way of Life”, if it comes from the heart of God, is a way we can put Jesus’ call into practice: “put my yoke on yourselves” (Matt. 11:29) In Jesus’ day, two bulls or horses would have a beam of wood placed across the back of their necks so that as they ploughed a field they would pull together. On a good farm they would only be yoked together if they were well matched. Instead of our lives being “all over the place”, a Way of Life which resonates with our inmost calling enables us to pull in Christ’s direction with others who have a similar calling. Jesus is inviting people who are tired of being pulled in all directions to exchange their life of legalism (trying to please everyone) for a life of common calling.
“God gave Moses’ people a kind of Way of Life when they faced a new set of circumstances – a settled rather than an enforced or nomadic experience (Exod 20). This was a set of principles with some practical applications. Certain groups within ancient received a distinctive calling and developed their own Way. The Nazirites abstained from alcohol and kept their hair long. (Numbers 6)…The Rechabites offered a contrast to the prevailing greed and a a return to the simplicity and disciplines of the desert (Jer. 35)… John the Baptist himself followed a Way that required simple food and clothing (Matt. 3:4)…
“Jesus gave the crowds a simple Way, or set of values, against which they could measure themselves (Matt. 5-7). These are known as the Beatitudes, or “Beautiful Attitudes”. The question is often asked: If churches had made living the Beatitudes as pivotal as the Creeds, how different would the influence of Christianity have been?”
A Way of Life could help me keep on the path God has prepared for me to walk on, to choose Him rather than the road to a dead end. I know I have Jesus and He is enough, but I need to live a balanced life with a set of principles, values and practices that will keep me seeking His face and living out His life in me. I know these can be found in the Bible but I have to make them my own for them to be lived out, writing my own Way of Life based on these can probably help me and possibly help you too. |
Martin Saxby, 10/09/2009 |
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| | | Liz Fleming | 10/09/2009 21:15 | Thanks for this Martin, I know that Jesus has been teaching me A Way of Life over the last few years of finding a balance between being and doing. I feel I have discovered that just being with Jesus then led me to know the right balance in doing. We don't need to worry over what we should be doing as when we focus on our relationship with Jesus it follows He will show us what we should or should not be doing. I guess in the past I was so busy "doing" things for Jesus I didn't actually have time for a relationship with Jesus - it's an easy trap to fall into! So gracious is our Saviour that He pulls us out of this, but often we have to get to the end of our rope before we let Him. For me it's all about relationship first and then all falls into place after that is growing. Thanks again Martin, your words are challenging and encouraging at the same time!
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| Mon 28 Sept 2009 - Time | | Time is God’s creation and his gift to us. Unlike money and possessions we each have equal amounts of it. This week’s devotionals will examine how we spend our time....
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| Fri 25 Sept 2009 - Winning and losing | | I often struggle with the fact that some days I seem to start with a list of jobs, achieve none of them, gain a load more and get lost in the process. Does this sound familiar?...
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| Thurs 24 Sept 2009 - Individuality | | We are all individuals, God made us all different and let’s face it, if we were all the same, the world would be a boring place. That said, many take the view that within the grander scheme of things...
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| Wed 23 Sept 2009 - Fine | | I don’t know about you, but I have a fairly standard opening when starting a conversation with people that enquires how they are. Almost always they are ‘fine’ or equivalent words....
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| Tues 22 Sept 2009 - Autopilot | | I find that many of the mundane things that I do, day in, day out are done on autopilot, particularly where it comes to things like chores. Ok, so we engage more when there is something to get excited about....
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| Tues 15 Sep 2009 - Life preservation | | Obsession with controlling health and extending life expectancy can justify large amounts of spending in stem cell research and new technologies to treat terminal diseases like cancer and other debilitating illnesses...
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| Fri 11 Sept 2009 - Your Way of Life | | In our final extract from “A Pilgrim Way” by Ray Simpson he gives further reasons why we should all consider a “Way of Life” and I’m thinking this is something I need to do....
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