REAL CHRISTIANITY

I decided to volunteer in a Christian organisation a few years ago. When I first joined them, I was given a list of rules to do with the things I could and couldn’t do when I was in their building. It included things like: no alcohol, no smoking, no social media, etc. One bit said: “We expect Christian behaviour from our employees.” I found it easy to agree to this list because I didn’t drink or smoke. And it wasn’t a big deal for me to put my phone in a locker for the few hours I was there. But none of this had anything to do with my Christianity—the list just happened to match my lifestyle.

The list did make me think about the things that weren’t on there. It didn’t say: “don’t be proud, insensitive, angry, hateful or critical.” If those attitudes had made the list, I would have found it much harder to live up to! Following Jesus can’t be defined by a list of rules. It’s a way of life and
attitude that’s difficult to describe, other than by using words like “love” and “serving”.

Matthew 5:3-10 sums it up well though: those who rely on the Spirit of Jesus are humble (MATTHEW 5:3). They grieve over the bad things of this world, rather than joining in (V.4). They are gentle and kind (V.5). They love to know God better and share Him (V.6). They are merciful to those who make a mess of things (V.7). They are single-minded in their love for Jesus (V.8). They are peaceful and look to make peace no matter who they talk to (V.9). They are kind to those who hurt them, returning good for evil (V.10). And they are blessed, a word that means “happy” in the deepest sense.

This kind of life attracts the attention of others and belongs only to those who trust in Jesus—those who know they can’t live like this on their own.

Thinking it over . . .

Which of the descriptions from Matthew 5:3-12 do you recognise the most in your life? Which others do you need more of? How can you grow in this way of life?

REAL CHRISTIANITY CAN ONLY BE LIVED OUT BY
LETTING JESUS LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH US.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries