Monday, January 29, 2024

 The perspective on this matter varies depending on one's worldview. There is a prevailing belief that the Christian lifestyle is highly pragmatic, resembling a buffet of various responsibilities. The actions of Christ serve as a model for us to emulate, leading to the establishment of a hierarchy of priorities: God first, followed by spouses, children, and finally, one's occupation. Consequently, instead of adopting a spiritually-focused mindset, there is a tendency to approach the Christian life from a practical, obedient standpoint. Some even argue that the Christian lifestyle is not singularly focused, as it places equal importance on cultivating horizontal relationships alongside one's love for Christ. This creates a certain tension between the practical and the spiritual, deeming them of equal significance. It can be likened to a "how-to" guide for life, where personal growth is measured by the way individuals treat others. A popular slogan among adherents of this viewpoint is "You are so preoccupied with heavenly matters that you neglect your earthly duties," emphasizing the need to prioritize practical actions in order to demonstrate growth in one's faith.When we equate the commands of scripture with the indicative voice, we tend to become focused on works. Our minds become cluttered with various methods and strategies on how to fulfill our responsibilities, causing us to prioritize our integration philosophy over the teachings and promises of scripture. This can lead us to resemble Martha in our faith or the obedient son in the prodigal story. Instead of relying on the promises in scripture, we end up living by relationship rules. We start to view forgiveness as something we must earn through a series of steps, and even though we acknowledge that we should follow Christ, we often elevate others to a guru-like position in our lives while neglecting to truly worship and learn from Him.

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