Central Thought: The life the Christian lives should impact others positively.
Hymn: I am not ashamed to own my Lord
Text: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Matthew 5:13-16
Introduction:
In the society today, morals and standards have generally fallen to the extent that one does not even know where to start to address these problems. We look out to see if there could be a reference point- someone that can be pointed to as a guide to look unto as an example- unfortunately, the search seems a fruitless exercise as those that one would have been tempted to say can possibly fit in keep disappointing man and indeed God at an alarming rate. Christians are quick at pointing people to some notable Bible characters like Paul, Peter, and the other apostles, for the exemplary lives they lived in their time and call on others to follow their examples, but fail to live the exemplary life which others should emulate.
People do not read the Bible for various reasons. To such people, the only Bible that they would like to read is the Christian around them. They study us and can write volumes of books on us. Just like the apostles lived and acted in their times and we are reading what has been written about them today, so are we expected to live our lives so that our generation and generations to come will also be able to have something positive to read about us that will help them serve the Lord better.
Lesson Objectives:
- To know what is a living Epistle
- To know how a living epistle is written
- To know why the life style of the Christian is important
- To know the dangers of not living a Christian life style.
Question 1.) What is a living Epistle?
A living Epistle can be said to be a long and important letter that is full of power and force to affect its readers positively. In other words, it is a letter that has the ability to change someone or to cause someone to have a change of attitude towards his/her initial beliefs or principles.
Instances of such a letter abound in the Bible especially in the New Testament where Apostle Paul wrote extensively to the brethren in various places to teach, correct, educate and encourage them as the case may be on different issues concerning their faith.
For the purpose of this study, we shall not be discussing the types of letters which are written with pen and paper as the types that require a secretary or letter writers to help us document what message we have for the brethren or for other people to read and keep in any retrievable manner for reference purposes. The type pf letter that we are talking about here is that letter that is not documented on pages of printed matters, but are printed in the hearts of people that are the readers of these epistles. These are epistles that we write always and yet are very unconscious of that fact that we are writing something that people are seeing and reading and can, if need be, write volumes out of such readings.
Question 2.) Who is to write a living Epistle?
Since this epistle is different from the conventional letters we know in the sense that it is not written with pen and papers, it follows then that there are certain people who are qualified to write it. This group of people are those who have made a U-turn from their old ways of life that was characterized by sin to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives. These are the people that are referred to as Christians. John 3:3-7, 1 John 5:12-13. These people have that change of state and the spirit which is equivalent to a new birth. People who are ready to live a new life, not those who want to patch up the old life but those that are ready to begin afresh. People who have a new nature, new principles, new affections and new aims based on scriptures. People whose souls have been fashioned and enlivened anew. People who are born from above to a divine and heavenly life.
Just as the apostles acted even as they lived their lives to please God and so they are documented for us to read today, not by the apostles as it were, as we find in Acts of the apostles: It is clear therefore that the apostles were active men, so are we expected to live today such that others can find something to read about us in the future.
Although the wonders the apostles did were by the word of God, yet they are called their acts, they spoke and it was done. As they did this, they were writing their own living epistles.
Question 3.) Why is the lifestyle of the Christian important?
Our Lord Jesus did not leave us in any doubt as regarding the life style we are expected to live as His followers: Life that seeks to please Him in all areas. He enjoined us to live as the light in the darkened world and as salt in a saltless world. Matthew 5:13, 14. In verse 16, He gave the reason why we should live as such which is that men may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.
As the light of the world, we are expected to illuminate and give light to others. We must shine as lights by doing such good works, which men may see for their edification and not for any self-projection. Those around us must not only hear our good works but also see our good works.
The result of this is that those who see our good works are not to glorify us, but to glorify our Father which is in heaven. The glory of God is the great thing we must aim at in everything we do and the sight of our good works can do this.
It is very sad and disappointing to note that some of us who profess the name Christian have by our actions and lifestyle made some people twice the candidate of hell. Some of us have been found in places where we have been asked questions like “So you also come to this type of place?” or done things that make them ask us “I thought you said you are a Christian?” or “what example are you giving to us to follow?”
In Luke 17:1, we read “… it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” From these words of the Master Himself, we can expect no other than the fact that offences will come, but woe to him through whom they come, his doom will be heavy. Against this background therefore, the need for us as Christians to live the life style that is worthy of emulation cannot be over emphasized.
Question 4.) What are the dangers of not living a Christian lifestyle?
There are a number of dangers that are associated with not living a Christian life style. The first major danger is that such a life poses a hindrance to the salvation of others. When we cannot live a life style that shows to others that there is something admirable as to attract them to that lifestyle or make them desire to know the secret of such a life style, then that Christian has missed the mark and therefore has become nothing but the salt that has lost its savor and becomes good for nothing but to be cast out and be trodden under foot of men Matthew 5:13.
Another danger of not living a Christian lifestyle is that such a Christian stands the risk of missing heaven. Christ did not mince words when He said that except out righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, we shall not enter into the kingdom of God Matthew 5:20.
Judas Iscariot was one of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ for a period of about three and a half years. In the final analysis, he didn’t make heaven because of the life style he lived (John 17:21). In John 12:6, we read that Judas was a thief and that clearly shows that his life style was not in line with what is expected of Christians. If he got what he bargained for by missing heaven, any other person can still have the same fate as Judas if his/her lifestyle conforms with that of Judas instead of that of CHRIST.
Daily Living Application
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians admonished them to be his followers even as he was also a follower of Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1.
From this, one can conclude that Paul did not only preach such doctrine as they ought to believe, but that he also led such a life that they ought to imitate. Christians are likely going to preach most effectively when we are able to influence our hearers by our life-style. We can only do this successfully if we would, like Paul, follow Christ who is our perfect example. Christ has set for us a pattern to copy and if we are sincere in following His examples, then we will be living the life style that is worthy of emulation by others to the praise and glory of our Saviour and Redeemer.
Memory Verse:
2 Corinthians 3:2
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: Christian, you are the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13
Tuesday: Christian, you are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14-16
Wednesday: Christian, there is a standard.
Matthew 5:20-24, Romans 12:1-2
Thursday: Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:11-14
Friday: Receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Saturday: Walk worthy of the Christian calling.
Ephesians 4:1-3