I don't know about you, but there are certain situations, places or people where it is just much more difficult to maintain my commitment to be "Christ-like". What are they for you and how do you deal with it?

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When I've just finished doing/saying/something with someone, and then, sort of step back, and the thought occurs, "Man, That was pretty good goin' Eric, *very* Christian of you." and then I feel myself puff up, strut jut a bit, as the slimy-green monster with gleaming yellow eyes gloats in my self, "Yes! You are the best Christian! The best!"
and it all goes down the drain.
some call it smug self-righteousness; some call it pride; some call it hypocrisy...
Put me in front of other things, the confident trust that Mighty God embraces with everlasting arms, is there... but just let that first tiny gloating thought gain a toe-hold. The challenge is on!
Eric,

What a wonderfully thoughtful response. You are someone for who "doing" isn't the issue at all. Sure we need to "do" the work of Christ in the world... but "who" we are and "how" we are with each other trumps everything else. Love Christ, love the world....

Thanks for the insight....

blessings,

Sam

EricF said:
When I've just finished doing/saying/something with someone, and then, sort of step back, and the thought occurs, "Man, That was pretty good goin' Eric, *very* Christian of you." and then I feel myself puff up, strut jut a bit, as the slimy-green monster with gleaming yellow eyes gloats in my self, "Yes! You are the best Christian! The best!"
and it all goes down the drain.
some call it smug self-righteousness; some call it pride; some call it hypocrisy...
Put me in front of other things, the confident trust that Mighty God embraces with everlasting arms, is there... but just let that first tiny gloating thought gain a toe-hold. The challenge is on!
Ted,

Good thoughts... the inner life needs to be shared for it to be both valid and vibrant. It's the light on a candle stand or the city on the hill. You are a gift to the world. Just trust that when you let it (your inner life with God) out, it will have very positive impact, even with those who are expressing doubt and opposition...

blessings,

Sam


Ted Crocker said:
My life is hardest to be a Christian in real life. I'm content with me and mine. He smiles on me. I work alone...

Sometimes it's hardest when I'm reminded of scripture in situations. Good ones and bad ones. Sometimes the timing isn't right to raise your hands. Other times it's not a receptive crowd and you sit on your hands. Most times you just think you know what's right then it's gone. And other times you're caught up in it...



sometimes you toss spears...


Then go to confession online... LaughOutLoud

No penance so far...

thanks sam
Ted,

OK to not knock on doors?..... sure, but sometimes it's "needful"... the trick is know when which is which... I know this, I have to work harder reaching someone "offended" by a self-righteous, condemning Christian that I do reaching someone who has had little or no contact with Christ, the church and Christians....

Each of us have gifts and "styles" that are hard wired... and for the most part, that's where we should live... ah, except for the times when we know we are called to live bigger and bolder... beyond our "comfort zones". But when that is only each person can tell...

blessings,

Sam


Ted Crocker said:
Sam, I missed "Christ-like".

What you do is be proud of how you act all the time.

Is it okay if some of us are religious or theological but don't knock on doors? Some of us think there were more than 2 termites on the Ark, but still appreciate a good passage. You're cool 'cause you don't tell anyone why their God is wrong, you get that! He has a tan and a different language south of the border with a different statue. Still Him...

ANYONE who worships will receive

Faith counts, right?

ted
williamj,

I'm a pastor and sometimes my "workplace" can be tough. I see people at their best but also at their worst. Especially when I see bigotry and abusive behavior in the name of God, I want to throw a fit.... but then I take a deep breath and start to work the issue...

It helps to know that even in our workplaces, we are not alone, God is with us...

blessings,

Sam


William J said:
I find it hardest at work. I see so much ugliness that doesn't help.
My pastor keeps telling us that the best witness at work is to be the best employee at work. This goes way beyond any of the sticky notes with Scripture references or "fish" that I have around my workplace. With that said, I think it's hardest to act Christ-like when I'm tired. That's when I become more selfish and also when I'm more susceptible to temptation. Christ stuck it out for forty days with no food...and that was in a human body that felt the same things as mine does...and He didn't give in. I need to lean on that when I'm tired. I need to think on Him and in turn put my energies such as they are toward others and not how I feel or what I want.
In my head. (Does that count?)
I think it most definitely counts.

Shane Speal said:
In my head. (Does that count?)
Shane,

What do you mean... in my head?

blessings,

Sam


Shane Speal said:
In my head. (Does that count?)
In my view, It's easy as can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . for about an hour on Sunday.
It's just those other pesky 167 hours a week that are a little tough.
Kevin,

the thing about being "Christian" or "Christ-like", is that it takes practice. For most of us it is unnatural and because we think that we have little to no control over our thoughts, we are not responsible for them. But, I believe that something can train their thought patterns, just like they train their bodies. I mean, what is more "unnatural" than a one man band, but desire + repetition = skill and "natural" feel.

The best Christians I know have conditioned even their minds so that being Christian was a "natural impulse"... and that mis-deeds and unChristain thoughts were...well, shocking...

what do you think?

blessings,

Sam

Knotlenny - (Kevin Sprague) said:
In my view, It's easy as can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . for about an hour on Sunday.
It's just those other pesky 167 hours a week that are a little tough.
I find it hardest to be christlike when hott women are involved.Beautiful ladies definately take my mind into a lustful place.A trick a christian friend taught me just this week is as follows.

Have someone count to 20 silentley in there head. While they are counting tell them to "say thier name" When they say it ask them what number they were on. The lesson behind this is they wont remember the number they were on.
Meaning when you get off track.Speak it somewhere else. Say something that puts you somewhere else. Im not saying speaking is Christlike.But trying to keep love and service in your mind( instead of the trash we deal with) is one step closer to Him.

I find another thing that helps me.Is to start my day off right.On my way to work I will tell satan to get off my back in the name of Jesus.He has no power over the name. When I was a kid our preacher taught us that .
I might sound crazy to some of you.But I am building my relationship with Christ everyday. I know I'll never be worthy myself.But through him I can live in Glory! And I know were gonna be Jammin in Heaven one day.

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