By Namani J Nharrel
Introduction
Life here talks of the Christian’s being and doing. Faith refer to the Christian beliefs and practices. Of life and faith, therefore, is about integrating being and doing into faith. It is about applying our beliefs to all areas of life.
In some ‘versions’ of Christianity, life is divided into sacred and secular. However in other faiths, the two are interwoven. Faith dictates the hows, whys, and whats of life; the life lived, shows the whats of faith. Their way of life, is defined by their belief system.
Most Peoples
Most people groups see their ways of life as superior to any other. They see other people through their faith’s eyes as inferior; and therefore use degrading terms to describe them. These descriptions are deliberate, and calculated to: keep distance in association, maintain their own distinctiveness, and give reasons to judge and condemn those they see as different from them.
An Example
The Jews of Judaism called non-Jews heathen, Muslims of Islam call non Muslims infidels, Christians of Christianity call non-Christians unbelievers. Those so described uncomplimetarily, get the message, “If you don’t belong to our faith, your life can never be the same as ours.”
Christianity Discriminates
Christianity makes no pretence, that non-believers in Christ are living less than normal life, than God intended. However, its difference with other faith systems is that it persuades with proofs, that life in Christ is the ideal all humanity should attain. Rather than go forceful on others, it gently says, consider and accept Jesus Christ in faith, and you will live and enjoy better life.
It Conquers
Christianity’s approach to winning people, has conquered many people and nations. It changed hearts, replaced cultures, promoted peace; united people across different barriers and transformed lives, wherever the message is preached and accepted.
With all its conquering and life changing power; true Christianity remains humble, peaceful, and accommodating.
The Abuse
Those qualities, however, renders it easy to abuse. It’s in Christianity that adherent live as they please and go free. They abuse the freedom it gives, the grace that saves, the mercy that withholds punishment, the love that is all embracing, the fellowship that binds into one family and the new life given them at a cost no one could ever afford.
Twisted Life
The abuse of the Christian faith has resulted in the twisted life of many Christians. They don’t see or understand where life and faith meet, and have thrown themselves in deep mess. They refuse to let faith dictate their life, and would not live to reflect their faith. Many now suffer from identity crises, and yet are proud to belong to nowhere. Many are confused in their thinking, yet they think they own the world. Many are godless, yet they see themselves as custodians of the faith. They have exchanged biblical values for self-serving ones. Their world view is unclear. Their morality stinks. They value no integrity, enthrone hypocrisy and multiply sin in society.
And God…
God is at the receiving end of these twisted lives. His name suffers disgrace, his church is brought to disrepute, his kingdom shrinks, his glory is blurred and His enemy mocks him everyday.
Learn from them?
It seems ridiculous to suggest that Christians can learn some things from people of other religions. But, we can. The New Testament writers quoted from pagan authors. Jesus urged his disciples to learn from a crooked manager. We can learn and be humbled from their attititudes, commitment and their understanding that life and faith cannot be separated.
A Disclaimer
This is not to say that all roads lead to God. Christ only, is the way. Also, zeal, commitment, right attitude are not enough to save. Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone.
What to Learn
Ironically people of other faiths live in the spirit of the principles Christian have abandoned. Though not claiming any relationship with Christ, those of other faiths live the way God want Christians to:
• They don’t separate their lives from their religion. They work for their faith and their faith works for them.
• They don’t use the name of their gods in vain, nor to entertain themselves.
• The sacredness of their gods means absolute surrender, reverence and unconditional obediencce.
• Modesty and decency in outward appearance matters to them and they faithfully observe them.
• In their conduct in public and social life, they value integrity and dignity.
• Family life is held in high esteem, and they maintain order, discipline, and morality.
• They believe in the supremacy and sovereinity of their deity and so resign their fate to it.
• They use their position and possession to promote and propagate their belief system unashamedly.
• They believe there is time for everything and are patient to wait for things to happen in their favour.
Listed above and more, are plain biblical teachings which many Christians have abandoned. By this, they forget the purpose of life
Purpose of Life
The life we live now prepares us for eternity. How we live it matters to the God we will meet in eternity. The purpose of life, in time and space is to live to please God. Faith provides the road map to this end. Therefore to think and act in life separate from faith is going out of the way to eternity.
Conclusion
Where life is not affected by faith, is not Christianity. Where faith is not shown in life, is not Christianity. The Bible insists, “…Do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him.” (Philippians 2:12 The Living Bible). Then it states, “So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless (James 2:17 TLB).
▪︎ Nharrel, a Christian worker based in Kaduna, sent this via WhatsApp
