The Kind Of Christian I Would Like To Be
by Dr. J.C. House
06/19/2023
Philippians 3:13 - “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”
If you read Phil. 3:7-14 you learn that Paul was a mono-maniac. He lived for one great purpose. He did many things, but always with one goal. He knew what kind of Christian he wanted to be. We should know what kind of Christian we want to be and set out to attain our goals. Now there are unlimited things we could discuss but just a few for today's thinking.
What kind of Christian do I want to be?
Psalm 24:3-4, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” The thought here concerns who is going to serve God properly.
1. CLEAN HANDS
Physical hygiene is not what the thought concerns, but it could be. The Bible does not say cleanliness is next to Godliness, but you could write it in the flyleaf as a reminder. It’s a good thought that Christians should present a clean image. It seems anyone can keep a clean house, things picked up and straightened up. Anyone can wear clean clothes, wash their hair, brush their teeth, and have clean hands and fingernails, but that is not what is being discussed here. We should always present our best side as a Christian but here it has another thought.
The emphasis is to share the Gospel with others for your hands to be clean when we get to heaven. Ezekiel 33:8, “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Not sharing the Gospel can leave you with blood on your hands. Acts 20:26, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.” Are your hands clean?
2. PURE HEART
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Clean hands are wonderful and Psalm 24:4 mentions that and follows it up with “and a pure heart.” Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Our entire outward manifestation of Christianity is controlled by our thought life…our heart. Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” That’s why some are so miserable, they are always thinking on the wrong things. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” What are your thoughts consumed with?
Having a pure heart has to do with many things in clean consecrated living. It has to do with things like clean speech, not so much like cussing, but more of not criticizing everything, clean habits from what you eat/drink to how you dress, clean deeds in all the things you do each day, clean motives for doing what you do, clean thoughts, and a clean influence. Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself….”
WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE?
06/19/2023
Philippians 3:13 - “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”
If you read Phil. 3:7-14 you learn that Paul was a mono-maniac. He lived for one great purpose. He did many things, but always with one goal. He knew what kind of Christian he wanted to be. We should know what kind of Christian we want to be and set out to attain our goals. Now there are unlimited things we could discuss but just a few for today's thinking.
What kind of Christian do I want to be?
Psalm 24:3-4, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” The thought here concerns who is going to serve God properly.
1. CLEAN HANDS
Physical hygiene is not what the thought concerns, but it could be. The Bible does not say cleanliness is next to Godliness, but you could write it in the flyleaf as a reminder. It’s a good thought that Christians should present a clean image. It seems anyone can keep a clean house, things picked up and straightened up. Anyone can wear clean clothes, wash their hair, brush their teeth, and have clean hands and fingernails, but that is not what is being discussed here. We should always present our best side as a Christian but here it has another thought.
The emphasis is to share the Gospel with others for your hands to be clean when we get to heaven. Ezekiel 33:8, “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Not sharing the Gospel can leave you with blood on your hands. Acts 20:26, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.” Are your hands clean?
2. PURE HEART
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Clean hands are wonderful and Psalm 24:4 mentions that and follows it up with “and a pure heart.” Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Our entire outward manifestation of Christianity is controlled by our thought life…our heart. Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” That’s why some are so miserable, they are always thinking on the wrong things. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” What are your thoughts consumed with?
Having a pure heart has to do with many things in clean consecrated living. It has to do with things like clean speech, not so much like cussing, but more of not criticizing everything, clean habits from what you eat/drink to how you dress, clean deeds in all the things you do each day, clean motives for doing what you do, clean thoughts, and a clean influence. Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself….”
WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE?
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