I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a follower of Christ and how that relates to how we live our lives. This ongoing dialog with myself, Scripture and the Holy Spirit (OK a trialog) has been prompted largely by questions that some of you have been asking.
Generally in life we must answer the what question before we answer the how question. Here is what I mean. I don’t determine how I am going to build something before I determine what I am going to build. I must first determine the what before I try to determine the how. Almost all of life operates this way! As a consequence we are consumed with answering the question of “what am I going to do with my life?” instead of focusing on the question of “how am I going to live my life?”
However, following Christ so often requires looking at things in a completely different way! I wonder if a follower of Christ shouldn’t be more consumed by the question of how than the question of what. Is God as concerned with what as he is with how? Now, I know that being obedient requires both! I am just suggesting that maybe we have the two questions out of balance!! And, because we do, we struggle with living life day to day! Instead of living day to day determining how we are going to live we are paralyzed with the thought of what am I going to be in the future!
As I have been thinking about this I am more and more convinced that the Bible lays out instruction on how we are to live more than on what we are supposed to do. I believe it is the failure to recognize this that leads to legalism. Again, I am more and more convinced that the whole of Scripture supports this (I see foreshadowing of it in the Old Testament and fulfillment in the New Testament). However, it is the first part of Colossians chapter 3 that keeps coming to mind (Colossians 3:1-17). That passage closes with the statement, “And whatever (would suggest that what is not the main issue) you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
I know there are other examples of instruction and stories from Scripture that could be included! I would love to hear your thoughts! If you think of other support for this found in Scripture, let me know! And, better yet, if you are able to poke holes in this let me know!!
