Thursday, October 29, 2009

fighting and feelings...

Friend: Why are you doing this challenge? You already live biblically.
Me: No I don't.
Friend: Oh my gosh! Yes, you do. Living biblically is simply living like Christ. You do that.
Me: No, really, I don't.
Friend [loud]: Yes, YOU DO!
Me [louder]: NO I DON'T!
Fine [exasperated]: Fine! You may not, but I do.
Me [yelling]: NO! YOU! DON'T!

And with that final upper cut to the ribcage, I busted out a verbal UFC move on my dear friend. The low blow stunned my friend in the way Chuck Liddell would've stunned Tito Ortiz in a fight to the finish. Exasperated and slightly wounded, Friend replies, Fine, do what you want. But I'm not talking to you for the next two weeks. This is ridiculous. I wrapped my prayer shawl around me and began quoting scripture outloud. Not really, but I totally felt like a Pharisee, yet righteous all at the same time.

But here's the truth: I don't live biblically. And neither does my friend. And if you're honest, neither do you.

I have this list with me as a reference point in case I forget what the bible says on, say, looking at their amazing book and being filled with envy (Luke 12:15), or wanting to be first in line (Mark 10:43-44), or wanting to pour Nyquil in the bottom of the crying baby next to me on my last six hour flight (BiancaNeedsJesus 1:1).

So here's the challenge for us today: pick one command of Jesus today and live it out. Seriously, take one simply tenet of Christ-like living and do it in In The Name Of Love. For God is love and as His children, we are to do likewise (John 15:12).

16 comments:

ragamuffinbeauties said...

Ummm, yeah so don't leave like Christ. Thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

As of today all I can handle is "Thou shalt not commit adultery"...hum, oh wait, that means I must stop telling myself what a lucky person Faith Hill is for having Tim McGraw as her hubby..LOL

Cyn

Warrior in Training said...

I love this blog-this post-this challenge. God does not put before us anything He does not give us the grace to do-thank you Father..........

Jasmine said...

i'm not going to lie...sometimes i want to sneak NyQuil into your drink. like, the entire BOTTLE! ;) just kidding...hope you're having fun in Chi-Town!

Anonymous said...

oh, sisterly love it is so refreshing to know others feel the same!

Becky said...

I am challenged by this! I don't live biblically! Hmmmm... something to start practicing not just think about!

melissa said...

Yes! Nyquil is no bueno....I use benadryl on my kids! ;)

Interesting...this is a dilema I often think about: God said no one is good, not even one; and that my good deeds are as filthy rags; and we all fall short of the glory of God...YET he has clothed me in righteousness and I have been made justified by faith...just as if I have never sinned (just as if I always obeyed...)

He has commanded me to follow his commandments, but if I break one part of the law, I'm guilty in all. And if I sinned in my heart...if my motive speaks hatred...I have committed murder.

Even God said David was a man after his own heart...and yet, he sinned. Paul, one of the greatest "preachers" of the NT, said he was chief sinner of all. So what does it really, really, really mean to "live bibilically?" The bible is filled with "flawed" men of faith, that God used in a mighty way.

(Me scratching my head and being confused for a split second)? What does this mean? For me, it means, I can be free to have a relationship with God. And by the power of His spirit, I will (try to) follow his commandments out of LOVE for a savior that bought me at a costly, costly price...

It's often when I come to the end of myself and surrender and say, "GOD! I just CAN'T DO THIS!!!" That He says, "You are right...apart from me you can do nothing, but through me, you can do all things."

And with that, I must get. off.this.computer. and go clean mi casa as if Jesus were coming over tonight! (Col 3:23)

Melinda said...

So I look over the list and feel almost paralyzed - "I. Can't. Do. This." And I remember that none of us can apart from Christ.

So, Lord, invade my life so I may reflect you. And keep my mouth shut! Unless you want to open it...

Laurel said...

Great conversation ... and great list. I'm going to print that one off.

My husband is preaching on being "Lukewarm" this week; (he's in the middle of a 10 week series on Crazy Love) I think I'll add this post to his "things to think about" list. He loves hearing from my bloggy friends.

Anonymous said...

I've heard, I've listened and now I need to take action!

Pray for you....you pray for me!!

-j

christy said...

Ok that list is a little overwhelming and intimidating...sooooo I think I will pick one for tomorrow, since that's about how long it'll take me to get over the initial reaction;) so maybe i am being a wuss...but I WILL try one tomorrow and let u know how it goes...

I can't even imagine trying to accomplish this mission you r on for two whole weeks:) (that's not to say I don't desire to "live biblically")

Will be praying for ALL of us:)

Lindsay said...

Yesterday I challenged myself to seriously think about the things I say especially in work. I was doing fine until I had a mini ranting session just as the person I was moaning about walked in the room behind me! Talk about God slapping me in the face! I cried when I got home. We so need to be challenged by the way we live. Sometimes I seriously wonder how I am ever salt and light in this world! Great post Bianca!

And I laughed about the crying baby solution. I sometimes feel the same, especially on a full bus, but now have to remind myself that I'm going to have one of those screamers in a few months time!!!

Bianca said...

This conversation is absolutely the best. The honesty is moving and I love how this is challenging our thinking.

Anonymous said...

Biblically living for me is almost impossible because maybe the worst sinner/Christian on earth i don't even dare to try to live like that. Thou shalt not commit adultery

D to Tha G said...

On some Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde status. Yet it is good to be purged and pruned so that good fruit's may come forth.

Next week since im in Vegas for my job's dept retreat - I will have to watch out for gluttony thanks to the buffets that call me by name! That's my personal challenge.

Lydia said...

"...i don't even dare to try to live like that."

I was listening to a message on the holiness of God today by Mark Cahill (amazing speaker and the most on fire evangelist ever!), and this comment reminded me of it. I totally agree that it's almost impossible...in our own strength. We, in our weakness, can never even begin to measure up! But we strive and dare to live like Jesus because He's a holy, amazing, wonderful, gracious, loving God, and we can't help but want to give our all for Him! We can do it--in His power and might.

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