Christians Don't Have a Free Ride on the Gravy Train...

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  1 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 17-21.

Christians don’t have a “free ride on the gravy train.”  God is going to judge us by our faith and our actions which should be examples of our devotion to Him.  Our Salvation wasn’t purchased for us by some worldly thing like money.  We can’t pay a fine when we are caught sinning, like a person who has been speeding pays a fine as restitution.  Our Salvation is earned through Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection on our behalf.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

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Letting Off Color Words Slip Out...

But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye Holy; for I am Holy.  1 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 15-16.

It’s easy to become complacent and to let a few off color words slip out every now and then.  Yes, God will forgive us for these shortcomings if we ask Him, but are we being the example He wants us to be?

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.



This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.

Trying to Help Those Drowning in Their Worldly Ways

Brethren, if any of you do err from the Truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.  James, Chapter 5, verses 19-20.

When I was about 11 or 12, I remember being horrified by hearing how a bunch of people saw a car drive over the levee in a nearby community.  They stood by and watched the whole family drown without ever making an attempt to save them.  I didn’t know how those people could live with themselves.  If a person had made an effort but had been unable to save them, they would have at least known they had tried.
I feel like Christians often do the same thing.  We see people who are making lifestyle choices where they are apt to “drown” in their worldly ways, but we just sit back and watch without even attempting to save them.  If we make an attempt, at least we will know that we tried and didn’t just sit back and do nothing.  Who knows, maybe we will be the person who plants the seed of change in their life.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.

How God Wants Us to Let People Know We Are Saying the Truth

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.  James, Chapter 5, verse 12.

This passage lets me know that I can tell the truth when I’m talking to people without saying, “It’s the truth, too-Swear to God,” or, “It’s the truth, too-I Swear it on the Bible.”  These extra sayings for emphasis aren’t necessary and aren’t what God wants.
Here is a related passage:
*But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth: for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem: for it is the city of the great King, Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black, But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.  Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 34-37.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.

When I'm Being Critical of Others...

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.  James, Chapter 5, verse 9.

You know, it seems that our character flaws have been ingrained in us for so long that they would be almost impossible to change, but not so with God.  I have found that since I’m focusing on God’s Will for my life, the thought about God judging me like I judge others pops into my mind when I’m being critical of others, allowing me to make the changes that He wants.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.

Regretting Being So Shallow

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.  James, Chapter 4, verses 16-17.

This passage makes me sad because I know I have been guilty of this more times than I would like to mention.  I was teaching in a suburb of a larger city with more affluent families.  A friend who teaches there asked me to go to the city with her to read with some “inner city” kids after school.  Instead, I chose to co-sponsor the Art Club, doing projects with those more affluent.  I regret being so shallow.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.

How is God Similar to the Marines?

But He giveth more grace.  Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  James, Chapter 4, verses 6-8.

I think that God is looking for a few good men and women just like the Marines.  They don’t want proud, boastful people who go around saying they are better than others.  They want people who show their worth by their behavior and choices all the time.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.

Can a Christian Be Two-Faced?

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and there with curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the Truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.  James, Chapter 3, verses 8-18.

I think God is asking us if a Christian can truly be two-faced.  You wouldn’t consider someone a true friend, who is nice to your face but works against you, behind your back.
I think God is telling us through this passage that we can’t truly be both.  Can we truly be a Christian one day a week, but participate in a worldly life with no attempt to change the rest of the week?  I think God tells us that if we truly profess to be a Christian, we will be examples of our faith seven days a week instead of just one.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.



This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.