Christian or Christian Atheist? That is the question! Colossians 3:1-3; 12-15

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   I do apologize for the last week of missed studies.  My life has been good, but moving from hither to yon and my whole schedule has been crazy.
   Yesterday I heard a preacher speaking about how many Christians are "Christian atheists" meaning, WE ARE SAVED, yet we do not live as a person in Christ, but a person of the world.  Wow!!  This really hit me and stimulated thought about me, you, us all, and our Christian walk.
   Sundays we walk and talk like a Christian, but Monday through Saturday we live in the world.  Is this the walk Christ did?  Is this the walk we want?  Let's look at scripture.
    Please look at this scripture carefully and read both versions please:

Colossians 3:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)  Not Carnality but Christ   3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

Look at Colossians 3:12 New King James Version (NKJV)   Character of the New Man¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

   Setting our sights on the realities of heaven means striving to put heaven's priorities into daily practice.  Letting heaven fill our thoughts means concentrating on the eternal rather than on the temporal.

Colossians 3:15 says: "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

  As a Christian you have died to this life which means you should put away the desires for the earthly things, the worldly pleasures.  This does not mean to not work to get ahead or acquire things, it means to get your priorities right.  If you become wealthy and self-centered this helps no one; but if you put to good use what God has given you, wealth, for God's good, then this helps all parts of the body, each member.

    We should view this life on earth from God's perspective and try to live accordingly.  We may have desires for things of this world, and that is okay and normal, but to fall victim to the things of this world is wrong.  You and I should be seeking what Christ desires, we have the power to break our obsession with pleasure and leisure activities.  But it also provides the antidote to empty religion.  

  Why?  Because following Christ means loving and serving in this world and view the world as God would view it.  This is when we live a "CHRISTIANS" and not as "CHRISTIAN ATHEISTS!"  You will live in harmony with God when you view the world around you as God does.

    Look at Colossians 3:12 - Paul offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day.  And how is this? First, imitate Christ's compassionate, forgiving attitude; then let love guide your life, let peace of Christ rule in your heart, always be thankful, keep God's Word in you at all times, and live as Jesus Christ's personal representative.  Can you do it? As Bob the Builder says: "Yes I can!!!"

   Where are your sights set:  Are you a "CHRISTIAN" and act like a "CHRISTIAN" or act like a "CHRISTIAN ATHEIST?"  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny