The Adventist Way of Life

I have heard some people say to me, “I have been a ‘born again’ Christian for 27 years!” Then I look at how they live, how they talk [the subject matter], and how they react to those around them.

One person told me that he had been saved for many years but he stopped going to church. He was listening to a rock song. The song was glorifying secular relationships and the ‘wild life’ living. So, does it really matter?

Jesus tell’s us to put away the things of this world and those things that have lead others into drugs, sexual relationships of all kinds, and many other sinful habits.

If two people in a room talked gossip, listened to worldly Rock music, smoked, drank liquor, cussed, and laughed at sexual jokes…which one would be representing Christ? Neither!

What is my point? As a Seventh Day Adventist Christian I have been accused of believing that “good works” can save me because I choose to obey God’s Sabbath, or talk different, eat different, or talk about Jesus when ever I get the chance. Does this mean I believe that my “good works” save me? No! It simply means that Christ is changing my life since I accepted Him as my Saviour and LORD. Jesus said;

“My Sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me . . .” John 10:27

Many want a Saviour but not a Lord. Nobody want’s to be told how to live. Many caught in the pride of what this generation has taught want the fast way, the easy way. They do not understand that Christian growth is an on-going process. Jesus is the Saviour of all true Christians but He is also the Master, King, and Law giver of all true Christians. Jesus wants  not only to be your Saviour but He also wants  to change your life. But will you let Him?

The problem with Christianity today is that it doesn’t teach nor understand the process of spiritual growth, maturity, true sanctification. What passes for Christianity is instead a diluted substitute. Where are the truly reformed lives? We live in the Laodicean period of the Church.

I have witnessed young girls dressing with low cut jeans that have holes in them expossing parts that should not be seen. Half shirts which show way too much. If Jesus invited you to dinner, would you wear such attire? Christians, please listen!

True Christianity involves a change in lifestyle!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)

Romans 1:25-27 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator– who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (NIV)

So we can ask ourselves as Christians: “Am I changing? Have I changed since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ?” Now, some might say to me; “Your judging. We are not supposed to judge.” And this is true, we are not to judge by our personal standards. It is God’s Word that does the true judging and we as Christians are to point others who have wandered from God’s Word back to His Word with humilty and prayer. We lovingly plead with those who claim to be Christian but are not in the growing process of sanctification.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (NIV)

James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Are you one who claims to be a ‘born again’ Christian? Then you are baptised, you read the Bible and pray daily, you attend church on Sabbath, and have fellowship with other believers. Right?

If not…what happened? Have you began to give up habits and attitudes that conflict with your Christian faith? This is living sanctification! This is the daily process of growing into Christian maturity. 

I wrote this not out of anger but out of sadness towards the Laodicean condition of the Church. I too must stay close to the Saviour everyday and pray for areas in my life that need changing. One thing I do know, I am changed, I am changing, and I will yet be changed through and in Jesus Christ..through the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.

I pray the same for you

Written by; Eric W. King   October 30,2007

Read other articles by Eric regarding Christian growth;

Sanctification

Have we fallen asleep?

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