A Living Christian

So I was reading Now, That's A Good Question by R. C. Sproul last night and this was one thing that struck me particularly:

Salt is that which gives zest, tang, taste to life. I think Christians, of all people, should manifest a kind of zest, a kind of excitement for life -- a passion for living; they should be fun to be around. Even the apostles tell us that our speech should be seasoned with salt. Now that doesn't mean that we're supposed to talk like sailors, but it does mean that there should be some wit, some color and vitality. We are people who have been blessed with a new life and abundant life, the very life of Christ.

I think that to be salt of the earth is to be people who are exciting to be with, people who add to life rather than take away from it. I express that because so often we are perceived as being dull, stern, prudish, moralistic -- all of those things we are no intended to be. We are to be salt to people -- to add taste and zest. Not only salt, but light. The basic meaning of light in the Scriptures is the enlightenment that God's truth brings. Those of us who are Christians are called to have a passion for truth. We should care about learning the right way to do things.

So often the church is seen as an echo of the culture. We let progress be in the hands of those outside the church. I think the Bible calls the church to be on the cutting edge of life; we are supposed to be leading the culture rather than following it, and I think that's what it means to be a light -- a light to show people the way to go out of darkness. When we see, for example, a labor-management arena filled with hostility and strife, we, as Christians, should be showing models of labor-management relationships in which that hostility somehow is overcome. That's what it means to light to the world -- to show the world a more excellent way.

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Lately I've been wondering just how we can do things like read fiction and knit scarves and do it live for the glory of God. After reading this (and other parts of the book), I think I have a little better understanding. I see how much living my life should have in it BECAUSE I am a Christian. I've been redeemed in Jesus' blood and have been set free. I'm not under the law anymore. There is a meaning in everything that I do because of Christ in my life that the unsaved don't have. My mind has been renewed with this understanding. I should be spending plenty of time expressing joy and zest.

Expression comes through communication. How does one develop good communication? Through scholarship, literacy, and creativity. For the Christian, schooling, reading, music, arts & crafts, poetry, writing, etc. are NOT worldly. They are vital! These things develop our minds, training them in logic. They give us tools for expression. For example, as salty Christians, we should have a rich vocabulary with which to express ourselves. What's the best way to encourage excellent vocabulary? Voracious reading. So bring on the Jane Eyre's and the David Copperfield's! Of course, the merits of reading don't end with vocabulary expansion. Good literature encourages us morally, increases our discernment, gives us ideas -- and more. All of this helps to make us a person who is exciting to be with, as Sproul talks about. A person who has a rich store of good ideas and a interesting vocabulary with which to express them can only be so. And, most importantly, this gives the Christian a more effective ministry. He has the right words to communicate his faith accurately and beautifully.

"Everything is permissible," we are told in the Scriptures. We are not under the law and are free to choose how we spend our time. There is no sin in reading, music, painting, knitting, poetry, etc. These are excellent activities for the Christian whose mind has been renewed and who views these activities in the proper light, thus glorifying God. He should find no guilt in enjoying those things that suit his particular tastes. Of course, the Scriptures continue on to remind us that "not everything is beneficial." While it is important to be well educated, literate, and creative, we must be mindful not to pursue these things at the expense of the other duties God has given us. Prioritizing is important -- don't read so much that you let the laundry pile up.