I have never liked when someone's idea of a new thread is to throw out a random thought or opinion and then say, "Discuss" so I am giving additional input.
I was part of a discussion recently about what Christians are expected to do by God.
It seems that many feel that once they are saved, they can just sit back and wait until Christ returns.
They feel that as long as they do not actively commit sin and seek forgiveness after moments of weakness, they are doing all that is required of them.
What was discussed is the fact that Christ does have an expectation of proactivity from His children.
Matt 6:2 -- "When you give to the needy..."
Notice it says 'when' and not 'if.' It is expected that you actually minister to those in need as Christ did.
In Matt 25: 31-46 he talks about the sheep and the goats. The goats did not feed when they saw the hungry, clothe them when they saw the naked, visit them when they knew they were imprisoned, etc.
Jesus will say, "Depart from me you cursed ones, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
This shows that these people will be punished for what they DIDN'T do.
Matt 6:5 -- "When you pray..."
Again, not "if" but "when"...
God expects you to commune with him. How else would you know what He expects of you?
Prayer keeps you in tune with the Holy Spirit, helps you to resist sin, and keeps your moral compass true.
Those who don't commune with God regulary are easily swayed by the world and begin to judge right and wrong by what the world says.
Matt 6:16 -- "When you fast..."
Once more, not "if" but "when"...
Jesus himself fasted 40 days before He began his ministry. So did David and other kings, often calling on the people to fast, as well.
This allows God to move mightily.
There are different levels and lengths of fasts and when accompanied with prayer and time in the Word - otherwise it is just dieting - it is an absolute blessing.
If Christians today are not doing all of these things, they are not fulfilling what God expects of them.
I was part of a discussion recently about what Christians are expected to do by God.
It seems that many feel that once they are saved, they can just sit back and wait until Christ returns.
They feel that as long as they do not actively commit sin and seek forgiveness after moments of weakness, they are doing all that is required of them.
What was discussed is the fact that Christ does have an expectation of proactivity from His children.
Matt 6:2 -- "When you give to the needy..."
Notice it says 'when' and not 'if.' It is expected that you actually minister to those in need as Christ did.
In Matt 25: 31-46 he talks about the sheep and the goats. The goats did not feed when they saw the hungry, clothe them when they saw the naked, visit them when they knew they were imprisoned, etc.
Jesus will say, "Depart from me you cursed ones, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
This shows that these people will be punished for what they DIDN'T do.
Matt 6:5 -- "When you pray..."
Again, not "if" but "when"...
God expects you to commune with him. How else would you know what He expects of you?
Prayer keeps you in tune with the Holy Spirit, helps you to resist sin, and keeps your moral compass true.
Those who don't commune with God regulary are easily swayed by the world and begin to judge right and wrong by what the world says.
Matt 6:16 -- "When you fast..."
Once more, not "if" but "when"...
Jesus himself fasted 40 days before He began his ministry. So did David and other kings, often calling on the people to fast, as well.
This allows God to move mightily.
There are different levels and lengths of fasts and when accompanied with prayer and time in the Word - otherwise it is just dieting - it is an absolute blessing.
If Christians today are not doing all of these things, they are not fulfilling what God expects of them.
