You don’t live on an Island by yourself.

One more thought on family before I go back to Proverbs and the book of Judges.

In Romans Paul states this:

Romans 14:7–8 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

The point is that in the family of God, yes we are individuals, however, none of us live just to ourselves. Everyone that you come into contact with is left with an indelible impression by you. It can be good or it can be bad.

One aspect of family that we need to deal with boils down to the fact that each family member is responsible for their individual walk. Others may encourage, still we alone determine that individual walk, and all of us are impacted by each individual’s walk. What should that walk look like?

Many years ago a man I respect shared some thoughts of what the Christian life should be. I loved it because of its simplicity, and as all teachers, I digested it and then regurgitated it from my perspective of what are the teachings from the Word of God on this issue. I thought it might be helpful to share as we think about our participation in the body of Christ.

When I think of what it means to have a life that impacts the environment around you, one of the names that comes to my mind is John Geddy. He was a missionary that went to Aneiteum and spent 24 years there. His life had such an impact that when he died they put a plaque by his grave that said this:

In memory of John Geddie, D.D., born in Scotland, 1815, minister in Prince Edward Island seven years, Missionary sent from Nova Scotia to Aneiteum for twenty-four years. When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen."

Wow! Enough said.

The Christian life starts with:

{1} True Spirituality

1 Corinthians 2:15 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

All this means is the evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life. This is not walking around with a somber face and trying to sound spiritual, nor is it waving your arms and screaming “hallelujah” as loud as you can. It simply means to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. In Thayer’s lexicon it states, that which takes possession of the mind is said to “fill it.” In Luke 5:26 the disciples were filled with fear, because of a storm. Have you ever seen someone filled with fear? It's very apparent; you don't have to guess. When a person is filled with the Spirit of God it shows itself in the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22–23

{2} Deep Humility

This is a quality that everyone else sees, but the person who's showing it does not. If you think you are humble, you just answered your own question, you're not. Jesus spent much time trying to teach the disciples the very valuable characteristic humility.

Consider:

Luke 22:24–27 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’  “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.  “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

This was the secret to John the Baptist’s greatness. 

John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.

Paul is a perfect example of how this works. In a period of a decade, Paul became more Christ like, yet saw himself as less.

In AD 55, writing the Corinthians  – He states he is the: Least of the Apostles

In AD 60, writing the Ephesians. – He states he is: Less then the least of all Saints

In AD 66, writing to Timothy – He declares he is the: Chief of Sinners

The closer he walked with Jesus, the more he saw himself as a sinner.

We will stop here and look at 3 more when we pick up. Ask yourself today…Who controls me? Also, How righteous do I see myself? Ask the Spirit of God to help you be honest.