Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Straight Talk about the Faith Walk (Part 4)

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"My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6-7, The Message).

The end result of a life well-lived is thanksgiving, not only from the one who lives the life -- but from those all around who have been benefited by that person's living.


The differences between a thankful person and a thankless person are many. One is a blessing to be around, the other is a burden. One brings hope and joy everywhere they go, the other brightens up a room by leaving!


When you live a grateful and thankful life, others end up thanking God for sending you their way. How good is that? This is the life that makes a difference.

And this is why Paul tells us to "do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life" (Philippians 2:14-16, Good News Bible).

The Message puts it this way -- "Do everything readily and cheerfully -- no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night."

The straight talk about the faith walk is simply this -- you've got what it takes to live the life that pleases God and blesses others. Now just do it.

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