Modern Christ.

How should we live a Christ like life in this modern era where it is so very different with Christ life time on earth? What is the key to success to have a happy propitious life on earth and to have eternal life in the New World?

In His love

James S

The time may be different in the sense of modern conveniences but the principles are still the same.

Then again, what we consider modern in our time, they also considered modern in their time.

I agree with Daryl's comment. What makes for a Christ-like life is to reflect His character. What was Jesus like? He was gentle, curteous, self-sacrificing, gracious, merciful, unselfish, to name just a few attributes of His character. One can manifest these attributes of character regardless of the time period in which one lives.

We know that now in modern time, Satan has expanded his method of temptation that is greater than in Jesus time. Now, Satan can use any device and any method that he could not use at the time of Christ to temp people.

In this modern era where there are almost no limits between countries, Satan can use many techniques to temp people and lead them away from Christ.

So, if Christ is in our place now, what would be his techniques, methods and principle to face the reality of a corrupt modern world?

In His love

James S

Quote

While temptation may come in different packages or be plenteous, that does not change the way the temptation is accepted (given-into) or overcome.

Creeping compromise in personal life is surest way to separate one from Christ while still mentally thinking that one is a believer. If you are talking about a modern device of temptation, here is one very accepted and prevalent one. Placing oneself in constant exposure of evil and lustful thought, thinking I can control it, such as TV, dullens senses, and makes one look at themselves as better than the world. So the reference point is changed from Christ to the world.

By beholding we become changed.

Unquote.

Yes, you are very right, I like your view.

But that is theoretically, practically it is a difficult time for Christians nowadays at the end of time.

As the Scripture said, that at the end of time many Christians would be swept away by false gods and false doctrines. Money, power, and fame are the false gods that attract many good Christians, and “justification by faith + work” is the false doctrines that eventually have crept into our own churches (Matthew 24:24).

And “TV” has becomes one of the greatest temptation for Christians nowadays. Entertainment world has given their viewers many packages that are so exciting and make people endure to sit in front of it for hours (including me, I must admit).

Internet is also one of Satan’s means to attract people of God, through this media we might find so easily any kinds of entertainment for the eyes including nkd women, and I am sure that many are surfing in these kinds of web sites.

In all stores now we might find magazines, tabloids and other publications that are packed with “soft core”, one effective weapon of Satan for the younger generation.

All these “things” are Satan’s weapon to attract people of God, if possible, the chosen one. These “thing” are not present in Christ day, so, may I say that Christ hadn’t been tempted the way Christians now is tempted? Sure we know the outcome, but at least, we faced a harder temptation and difficult time than him, right? Meanwhile, His mission is different than us, and his goal is not the same as us.

So, I might understand why He said: “Many are called, but less is chosen.”
In His love

James S

What is the principle of doing business in Christ way?

Basically, as a business man, I want to make provit as much as posible when it is posible, but some times it is hard to speak the truth whenever my client said that I quote to high and seek for to much profit. Some time I countered I only have small margin or just comission, which is not true.

Tere are many things in doing business that needs us to speak and act falsely in order to cover our main purpose or target, bribing, etc I think this is usual in business world but not for modern Christ to do business.

So, any sugestions how we could deal business in the way of a modern Christ when faced with the high competition and many competitor and the need to get the order.

In His love

James S

Businessmen and women are sociable people usually. So it is good to be hospitable, to socialize and eat with them. That's healthy. And it is good and healthy to exchange tokens of friendship and appreciation. Bribery though is different - it compromises the relationship over the long term because the transactions are not based on fair exchange of values and properties. I'm not in business at the moment, but in my line of work and outside of it, I've seen that people come to understand where you draw the line and even those that may incorrectly think you're a rigid moralist will respect your position if your product or services are consistenly high quality at a fair, competitive price.

Take the matter of doing your taxes based on your business or self-employment.

How many are really honest in the reporting of all their income and expenses?

What did Christ do in response to the tax question back then, and how would He respond now?

One must remember that Christ was temped as we are. So is there a difference? I would have to say no.

Satan just has different things to use now and get at us in different ways. But it is still the same old temptations.

How did our Lord Jesus Christ overcome? He overcame by a total dependence upon the Father for everything. And it is through our believing that Jesus is the Son of God that we can overcome the world.

We must realize that it is very possible to overcome the world as Christ did. It just, is not in our power that it can be accomplished but by the Power of the Almighty Father, through His Son that it can be done.

Get ride of that TV it makes a huge difference.

Peace and Grace
David

Or use that TV to watch 3ABN and the Hope Channel.

Like just about everything in life, the TV can be used for good or evil.

A Christian person in business should be above reproach even if there is no chance of getting caught. Take every tax loophole you can, but anything beyond that is sin. Jesus told us to pay our taxes just as we are to give to the church.

Being completely honest in business can at times bring a negative result to the bottom line however we will be rewarded at a future date beyond all earthly expectations. And besides I've seen over and over again how God will bless the honest with earthly riches and success.

And there are certain occupations that we might want to steer clear of if they are ones that might put us in compromising situations.

Redfog

Thanks John

It’s a good post and touched my heart, because I think, I hadn’t this experience so far in my 10 years of doing business, in the sense that God is the owner of my business, I still though it is my business and just ask his blessing.

I remembered once a view years ago when I lived a life of faith, I faced such conditions that was almost impossible to happen to me. If I was not strong in my commitment to surrender to the will of God, I would be back in the way of the world as I had been in the past.

Imagine, in the 4 months period since the day I repent, all my business where the deals reach 95% and just need small items to accomplish the deal and sign the contract, failed at last, while in the past 3 years when I lived a life of the flesh my business run very well. I almost never failed when the deal reached 95%. I didn’t understand why always at the end of the deal the business failed even though I had prayed hard in faith.

So, when one of the deal accomplished and the contract is signed, I was happy as I though at last God answer my pray, but unfortunately the vessel that I sent to port to pick up the cargo (I am in the transportation business / Freight Forwarding) was hit by thunderclap during her voyage and got damage and could not continue her voyage. I was so frustrated and nearly turn away my back from God because I thought he has left me all right, but at last I decide to keep my commitment. And what happened in the next months and years that follow? My business was going well again and I earn more than enough to cover the company cost and family needs and gave great donation to the church / school where my kids studied.

But, I must admit that I was not always firm in faith, view years later I lapse again in the way of the world. But what I wonder, that during my life in the flesh my business went well and better, only my personal expenses (night life, gambling etc) was so great that I could not spare much. During that time I never pray, never goes to church, because I could not have two masters; when I serve God, I live for God and when I serve the flesh, I live for the flesh.

Just 2 months ago I decide to come back to the Lord before it is too late, before he draws back his Spirit. I realized that it is a real pity to be lost while you know what God wants from you and you know the truth and you have the ability to share the truth, which in the past (1982-1983), as the result of my “door to door” private evangelism, have brought 3 people to the truth of the Sabbath and baptized.

And what happened in these 2 months period, again the 95% deals (more than US$ 300,000.00 worth) failed at the end. I am just afraid that God really left me this time, but I and my wife have decide that this repentance would be our last, from now on we would live for God no matter what happen.

The question is: Why when I lived for the flesh my business going well, but when I decide to repent, the next half year is always difficult and almost all deals failed? If that is a test, why would He test me, I don’t need that kind of test, I need His blessing in order the deals might be accomplished and business run well as usual.

When Satan is my master, I am well fed, so I want when God is my master, he fed me more. Is that okay to think that way? Or, is it God who fed me when Satan is my master?

In His love

James S

Yes, I almost never pay my taxes. I have no interest to pay the taxes in the past years when I lived for the flesh. But I think it is necessary to pay it from now on as I want to do business in Christ way, even though there is no tax inspection in the past 5 years.

Before I repent, bribing is a common sense. Some time the Project Manager just asked a return commission (RC), but mostly besides the RC there is a secret additional to the value of the contract. Let say, we came to an agreement that worth USD. 50,000, but in the Contract it was written USD. 55,000 where the USD. 5,000 belongs to the PM off the record.

I think, this is not bribery, I believe this is not a sin for me to accept the PM proposal, anyway it is him that steal from the company, not me. What do you think about this? It is very common in business, especially here in Indonesia. And the problem is, when you neglect their proposal, you will surely lost the job, meanwhile you need it hard.

Yeah, I realize it is a hard way to do business Christ’ way in a corrupt country (#3 or 4 in the world), where money is god.

In His love

James S.

Quote:
Get ride of that TV it makes a huge difference.
Unquote.

Wow, that is a great idea but surely my family could not afford that and even my self.

And if we are very sure that we might overcome the world trough living in Christ, why trying to get rid of all what might tempt us, why not live with it but don’t let it master over you.

I agree with what John said: “Creeping compromise in personal life is surest way to separate one from Christ while still mentally thinking that one is a believer.”

It had happened to me in the past.

Yes, some times the programs are so very attracting, like what I and my wife watched last night “the American Idol Final” a delayed broadcast by one of local TV in Jakarta. We sat down 2,5 hours in front of the TV to watch it till finished.

And I think I will spent more time to watch the Germany World Cup 2006, that all it broadcasting will start from midnight till morning for a one month full time period.

I am thinking, it is a real pity that the grand opening falls on Friday night till morning, our Sabbath day. I am not sure if I would let it pass, and I am sure that many SDA’s will not let it pass without watching it. This is a test, I think, for us. Maybe compromise for once upon a time would do us no harm?

In His love

James S

I agree with 1888. If you have means to tape things, that could solve the Soccer on Sabbath problem, and also make it easier to pick good things to watch.

You're very honest, James! That's a refreshing quality.

I think the way to overcome these temptations, is by taking hold of a positive thing rather than by trying to not do a negative thing. That is, we can learn to love the Gospel (and the Lord of the Gospel!) so that we find it more interesting than other things which would grab our attention.

I think the parable of the pearl is saying that the owner found something of such great value that everything else paled in comparison to it.

Thanks for adding that point, Tom.

Before I became the Lord’s, while I was still ‘mine own’, I was 23. A third generation Adventist, baptized, well indoctrinated and fully engaged. I longed for, well, a number of things. I wanted a wife, but I did not want to get one myself; I wanted the Lord to give me one. The other was: I wished I could settle the question about salvation, so I would not be afraid; but tied in with that fear was the fact that I did not have any victory over sin, neither did anybody else that I knew. Gritting my teeth and clenching my fists did not do it. Believing that Christ died to pay the penalty did not help. Getting busy in all church activities (leading out in many) did not help either.

So I had been praying for several years for a wife, and waiting for the Lord to answer. It was not that there were no girls, or that there were no girls that I liked. There were, and this added to the torment of waiting on the Lord. I contemplated of whether I should just go it on my own. Everybody else seemed to do so. But I had made a promise when I was young (6 years old), that I would ask the Lord. And I felt that to break that promise was to break all.

So why was not God answering? Surely he knows, so what is the problem? Silence, and more silence. I had been a TV technician so got to watch enough TV. We watched one at home that I had made in my study course. Let’s just say that what they showed back in the seventies on TV was not half as bad as what is on it today. We watched what you would call the better stuff; you know, selectively; took some 2-3 hours a day to see it, sometimes 3-4, maybe more; but never on Friday nights or Sabbath. You know how it is. Then after we are well ‘fed’ by it, I would go to my room, ready to fall into bed, but before going to bed I must and do pray for a wife, and not forget all my failures. In the morning also I must and do pray for guidance and strength for the day, and for blessings. Well those prayers were more wishful thinking than anything else, but it was also the cry of my soul. Thus one day followed another till it had been some 6 years of this.

One day I thought about this situation, and I decided I had to get through to God somehow. This business about praying and silence just isn’t going anywhere. So after my conventional diet of TV, I went to my room, and now I was going to be serious about gaining audience with the Lord. So in my most pious way I proceeded to pray on my knees. I didn’t get very far, when I started thinking about something on TV. I followed that movie for a while until I realized what I was doing. I shook myself and reset myself to pray seriously now. I began anew with determination, but was quite disturbed after discovering myself to have gone again thinking some other movie of some years ago. This was disturbing. I began anew with great determination and effort of concentration. I was chagrined when I found myself again meditating on another TV program. It was then I heard the Lord speak to me for the first time, and he said: “Choose John; what do you want”!

I was shocked, stunned and thrilled, I knew what it meant. It was TV or God. That was the last time I watched TV. It was the most blessed experience. I now had 2-3 or 3-4 or more hours a day free to spend in audience with the Lord. Almost overnight, my life of failure became a life of victory. God was talking with me, through his word, he would put his finger on this or that in my life, and there was power and victory. The mess in my mind was unraveling.

Now when I went to pray or sit or work I felt I had the audience of the Lord at all times, but the free times were the most precious. That free time which belonged to TV before, now was the special meeting time with the Lord.

I still had problems with my mind wandering during the following six months, and I frequently went to pray. I had an open bible in front of me while I worked, and dwelt on it, when I would find my mind wander I would read something until my mind would be re-established. Sometimes I just had to stop and pray. It was the battle of and for my mind. It was the battle of and for my heart. In the evening I often needed something to help keep my mind while relaxing. I remember two records, Jimmy Rhodes on piano and Barron Brothers. These songs became mine, the songs of my heart, the prayer of mine heart, something to rest my mind.

What you put in, is what you get out. What you sow, you shall reap. I never knew the impact TV had. It was just entertainment; I knew it was all made up; but it was interesting. Of course, I would not take anything on it for serious, much less live like it. Sort of, you’d say time to relax, time off; nothing bad (nothing bad that I would do, oh yes they on TV would do bad things, but not me, no, no, I was just watching). Yet the enemy was weaving the web of dullness, inculcating worldly principles and spirit, and disabling all spiritual inclination. Same thing with the continuous rambling of music; it is amazing how people cannot stand quiet; quiet is very disquieting to the carnal mind.

Within about a year, by the sustaining presence of the Lord I regained control of my mind, so that it would not wander, but stay on him. I began to appreciate quietness when I could commune with God undisturbed.

Well I have rambled on, but I will stop here. I just thought to share my experience with TV and radio and what the Lord had done. However it was rather the experience with the Lord in the aftermath of TV.

I look back at that time when the Lord entered and TV left as the time of liberation; the time when I began to live. There was no room for both. But I say it is the audience with the Lord that you'd want, and the rest you'll find out.

Oh yes, he did choose me a wife, and so much more than had ever entered my thought before.

Thanks John, what you share really could strengthen my faith that doing business Christ way can be done even though might be difficult in this time of corrupt. And your spiritual experiences with God admire me. I have such experiences long time ago when I still sailed in merchant vessels round the world, i.e. expelled demon spirit from my sailor, stops cyclones crossing our way otherwise our vessel might capsize. These spiritual experiences happened when I fully surrendered my life to God in faith (I was just baptized in 1982 and lived in Christ for a couple of years). I really believe when we live in Christ through faith, whatever we asked he would answer it if what we asked is not for self exaltation and we can handle it Christ’ way.

The problem now with me, I have wandered too long in the flesh, I lost those sights and faith once is with me, but on the other hand I knew much more about God and the truth of the Gospel. So, presently I am trying to live a surrendered life even it fails from time to time. But at least I had left behind almost all of my past habit (smoking 3 packs cigarette a day, gambling, night life) and start to go to church again.

I think, a modern Christ would not compromise with parties, night life, funky life, beverages, bribery, unpaid tax, unfair competition, etc, etc.

In His love

James S

Many Christ believers were lost at the end, not particularly because of their unbelief but mostly because they could not stop living for the flesh.

Is this true?

Gods of the end of time (and I believe we are living at the end of time) has taken people attention more than the cross of Christ. (Lust for) Money, (Lust for) Power, (Lust for) Fame and (Lust for) the Flesh are the gods of the world, who works against the God of heaven.

Surely it must be of something very special that might attract their attention to stop living for the flesh and start living for God.

What would that be?

The Gospel? The Law? The Cross? Hell?

Living for the flesh is greater than the love for self, because to satisfy what the flesh desires, many people died knowingly or unknowingly; better die than stop feeding what the flesh need.

It is really amazing to watch people died or following the way of death meanwhile claiming they are Christ’ believers. What makes these “modern Christ” choose the flesh rather than the Spirit? And what would be our part to affect their choices?

In His love

James S

James,

I believe the answere to your question is and has always been the gospel of the cross. The good news that God became man and came to earth to bring its inhabitants back to himself, even trough the unthinkable torture a roman cross inflickts.

/Thomas

Yes, I think so, but from where does we start?

And I still try to find out why satisfying the lust of the flesh is such a greater desire than the desire to stay alive for self loving people. If they love their self more than others why killing them selves just for the sake of their lust?

In His love

James S

Where is my God? Do I have a living God or a deaf one on vacation?

When I come to this situation, it's really enticing to freshen the mind with 4-5 bottles of cold beer, got a little drunk, live chatting and dancing with pretty girls in a closeby bar/cafe here.

Is this okkay for a modern Christ? Just when this situation arise?

In His love

James S

No one support the idea then I guess the answer is no.

In His love

James S

James, the lusts of the flesh only appeal to people who are not fully converted.

TM 440, 441
Has your character been transformed? Has darkness been exchanged for light, the love of sin for the love of purity and holiness? Have you been converted, who are engaged in teaching the truth to others? Has there been in you a thorough, radical change? Have you woven Christ into your character? You need not be in uncertainty in this matter. Has the Sun of Righteousness risen and been shining in your soul? If so, you know it; and if you do not know whether you are converted or not, never preach another discourse from the pulpit until you do. How can you lead souls to the fountain of life of which you have not drunk yourself? Are you a sham, or are you really a son of God? Are you serving God, or are you serving idols? Are you transformed by the Spirit of God, or are you yet dead in your trespasses and sins? To be sons of God means more than many dream of, because they have not been converted. Men are weighed in the balance and found wanting when they are living in the practice of any known sin. It is the privilege of every son of God to be a true Christian moment by moment; then he has all heaven enlisted on his side. He has Christ abiding in his heart by faith. {TM 440.2}

A soul united with Christ, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, in accepting and living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God will war against all transgression and every approach of sin. He becomes every day more like a bright and shining light, and more victorious. He goes on from strength to strength, not from weakness to weakness. {TM 441.1}

Let no one deceive his own soul in this matter. If you harbor pride, self-esteem, a love for the supremacy, vainglory, unholy ambition, murmuring, discontent, bitterness, evil speaking, lying, deception, slandering, you have not Christ abiding in your heart, and the evidence shows that you have the mind and character of Satan, not of Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly of heart. You must have a Christian character that will stand. You may have good intentions, good impulses, can speak the truth understandingly, but you are not fit for the kingdom of heaven. Your character has in it base material, which destroys the value of the gold. You have not reached the standard. The impress of the divine is not upon you. The furnace fires would consume you, because you are worthless, counterfeit gold. {TM 441.2}

There must be thorough conversions among those who claim to believe the truth, or they will fall in the day of trial. God's people must reach a high standard. They must be a holy nation, a peculiar people, a chosen generation--zealous of good works. {TM 441.3}