THE KEY IS TO DESIRE THIS LIFESTYLE

If you have a desire for something, you will pursue it with a great amount of energy. Sometimes the desire can even become an addiction. What better addiction is there than Christ Jesus and the lifestyle He teaches. But first, you have to want Him and the lifestyle. 

My Worship Pastor, Kerry Crespo, wrote about a great truth on a post on our church blog recently that spoke to the Christian's identity as a worshiper. He encouraged Christians to have their life on display for Christ, 24/7/365, not just "for the holy moments…the spiritual parts of our lives such as church attendance, devotions, small groups and when we’re listening to worship music." (K. Crespo, same post). 

He said, 

"If worship is to become a lifestyle, it needs to be automated—second nature and not just a New Year’s resolution. You shouldn’t wake up in the morning and have to decide whether you’ll read your Bible or not. It needs to be an automatic action. You shouldn’t have to decide whether you’ll love or serve Jesus today. It should be automatic."

I wholeheartedly agree with this mindset. And it is a Wholehearted Lifestyle that is before each believer to accept or reject, nothing less. Jesus said to the rich man in Luke 18:22 - “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This man was not ready for wholeheartedness. He could not release the one thing he identified with - money. Can you hear Jesus encouraging you in this manner? Can you hear Him calling you by name, telling you of lack in your life, stating the remedy, then challenging you to follow Him? Radical sellout proposition. Wholeheartedness.

However, being a Christian requires you to identify with Christ-like characteristics AND calls for others to distinguish Christ in you. The important questions are - Do you want that lifestyle? How long do you want that lifestyle? Some do not take the word "lifestyle" to mean - permanence. Many regard the word as temporary.

As Pastor Crespo stated, when you become a believer in Christ, from that point forward you should desire to represent Christ first in all that you do, say and think - all the time - "It should be automatic.". But, I know that sometimes we will not be in the right frame of mind, nor speaking the way we should, nor thinking proper thoughts. However, God gives us Grace to do the best we can in marrying ourselves with things like - His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

These are but a handful of characteristics that the Christian's lifestyle should be Identified as containing and others hopefully see in us. Yes, we are a work in progress. We might not have all of these Fruits of the Spirit accounted for in our lives, but as Christians we should want to pursue these as at least a starter for a lifestyle identified with Christ. We should be identified as a fruitful tree, planted beside a River of Living Water, but The Key Is To Desire This Lifestyle.