Living as a Christian in Today’s world Part One

This series Is about our Christian life when we are not “doing” God Get to the real issues of life outside church Some questions are tricky to answer We want your help

Is this you? I often sit in church after a hard week at work handling all kinds of pressures and I sit there thinking, “This is completely irrelevant to my life. You simply haven't got a clue about living in my world.” From “Working it Out” by Ian Coffey

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

C S Lewis Most people must glorify God by doing to His glory something which is not in itself an act of glorifying but which becomes so by being offered. Any honest workmanship (whether making stories, shoes, or rabbit hutches) can be done to the glory of God…

TEACH me, my God and King, In all things Thee to see, And what I do in anything, To do it as for Thee… From “The Elixir” by George Herbert ( )

Do you recognise this? I think the people I work with would find my views on sex outside marriage, abortion, divorce and homosexuality as old- fashioned and possibly offensive. So I tend not to say anything...

C S Lewis (again) A great many people seem to think that if you are a Christian yourself you should try to make divorce difficult for every one. I do not think that. At least I know I should be very angry if the Muslims tried to prevent the rest of us from drinking wine.

C S Lewis (again) Your prayers for them will be more use. Probably the safe rule will be “When in doubt what to do or say, do or say nothing.” I feel this very much with my stepsons. I so easily meddle and gas: when all the time what will really influence them, for good or ill, is not anything I do or say but what I am.

2 Corinthians 2: But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

“the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” You?

Do you recognise this? I know I am supposed to witness, but the people I am with every day don’t seem in the least bit interested in hearing about Christianity.

C S Lewis Our anxiety about unbelievers is most usefully employed when it leads us not to speculation but to earnest prayer for them and the attempt to be in our own lives such good advertisements for Christianity as will make it attractive.

The fruit of the spirit is… What’s the next line?

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:14

Do you relate to this? I am sure people in MCF would be horrified if they knew much I drank with non- Christian friends, or if they listened in to some of our conversations.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Matthew 11:19

“make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12

“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16

Can you help us with this series?

Do you have? Experiences to share? Questions or situations you would like to see discussed? Suggestions for how we can support one another in the world? Speak to Karen Dunning, Jim Bonham or Chris Simpson.