Members of the early Church often referred to themselves as those who followed "the way". Paul refers to their way of life as "the way of the Lord" and "The way of God". In other words, the early Christians, directly taught by Christ apostles, were recognized by their deeds and action. The way they lived, separated them from those of the world around them. It was called the way because they lived the way Christ lived. They followed his example, they obeyed His instructions. The way was then, and still is, a way of living and thinking that is different from that followed by those of this world.
When Christ came to earth He explained that this different way of thinking would through the power of the Holy Spirit, produce the fruit of righteous actions and deeds. He taught that God's way is the way of giving rather than the normal selfish human way of always getting. The key to living a way of life different from the way of the world is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us so we think like Jesus Christ. Through His spirit, God not only leads us in a different way of thinking, He helps us change the motivations that govern our actions. This focus on unselfishness rather than the self-serving approach produced by our natural way of thinking brings, in turn a dramatic change in the way we live and everything we do. God ask that we reorder our priorities, allowing his spirit to change our thinking, serving God by doing his will and seeking his kingdom. When we put God first ,he promises to provide ways for us to meet our needs. He will with hold no good thing from us.
Living a godly life is much more than merely calling on God's name as though that alone will excuse us for doing whatever we please. Living a godly life is doing what pleases God. It is practicing what he commands us, and living a way of life defined by his word. Jesus taught a way of life based on observing God's commandments from a heart of love that willingly makes personal sacrifices for the sake of others, focusing on giving rather than receiving. A true Christian cannot base his way of life, his new way of living on his own ideas about right and wrong. God's law and Christ example of perfect obedience to those laws, set the standards for the genuine Christian way of Life. Our new life is based on giving, a free gift given by God to all who will receive it." For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son", Giving is the way of God and the foundation of His love to mankind. Let us use this same foundation as we give to a lost world that which God gave to us, share Jesus with a friend and change a life.
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