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A close look into Christian living is needful in this fast moving, highly digitised and materialistic world. We are constantly bombarded by the media, both old and new, of the best and fastest way to increase wealth, new shopping malls and on-line shops carrying the latest trends and fashions. There are always repeated announcements of exciting new food outlets with the most quirky and innovative menus. We just have too many attractions that easily divert and tempt the time and mind of everyone and Christians are not immune to them.
The Apostle Peter in the early Church teaches the importance of sobriety and watchfulness. He calls us to frame and temper our minds from the loud and busy thoroughfare of the world. We need to reflect on the quiet contemplation of religious matters. We are to shift from satisfying the interests of the body and to submit to interests and necessities of the soul. We must restrain the appetite for worldly pleasures and to incline towards God’s Word – the Bible. Such sober vigilance prepares the Christian for prayerfulness and obedience. There must be less of worldliness and more of godliness.
With a mind set on pleasing God, love in the Christian family and community must be evident before a watching world. Such a love must not be cold or half-hearted. It must be seen and felt to be fervent, sincere and intense. It is such mutual love that can cover and conceal all sins rather than to aggravate and spread the harm and injure fellow Christian. Hospitality we are called on to give must be cheerful and generous without grumbling or counting the cost and inconvenience.
God has graciously endowed Christians with a variety of spiritual gi’s for which all recipients are stewards. Talents entrusted are to be faithfully employed as He directs. It is when we forget or ignore the duty of stewardship that we act irresponsibly to the tasks that we should be doing. We may be busy doing what we like and find easy to do and avoid those that requires hard work. Selfishly motivated work is not counted worthy. The nature of Christian work is a high calling and our endeavours should be serious and vigorous. Our chief aim is to glorify and honour God by being subservient to His will and direction. In doing so, even in the most simple and mundane activities of Christian living, there is sanctity and the practice of godliness.
