Do You Live Your Life with Spiritual CLASS?

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

When someone asks you what a person is like if they have “class,” various images appear in your mind. Possibly you envision someone sitting by a huge swimming pool sipping their favorite beverage. Maybe you see someone driving an expensive luxury car. You may even picture someone strutting down a street decked out in the latest fashion clothes. But is this true “class?”

 

I used to visit a locked care facility where I performed eye examinations on the residents. Hanging in the lobby was a sign that defined “class.” Their definition was very creative and accurate in my opinion. The sign used each letter of the word “class” to represent a single word definition. I thought that if we as Christians lived with this sort of “class” we could help bring great glory to God. So, below I share with you my definition of “class” using the single word from the care facility, but with an expanded description from a Christian perspective.

 

COMMITMENT

 

The world is in desperate need of people who are committed to living a holy life of service to God. Out of such commitment comes ministry to those in need, love for the downtrodden, dedication to truth, adherence to honesty and the courage to stand for what is right against all odds. The strength of Christian commitment does not come from within ourselves, but from the faith God gives us to trust in Him and the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live it out in our lives.

 

Christian commitment comes from dedicated daily prayer asking God to give you the resolve to stand on His commandments, live them out in your life and seeking to serve those in need. Several scriptures come to mind when I think of the commitment required of servants of our mighty Lord and Savior. Psalms 37:5-6 states, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” and Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” 1 Peter 4:19 also says, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

 

LEADERSHIP

 

The world is also in desperate need of leaders that are committed to truth, honor, honesty and God. Christians can fulfill this need by expressing the spiritual gifts that are given them by the Holy Spirit. As we use our spiritual gifts to minister to others we can become natural leaders in many silent and expressive ways. Romans 12:6-8 talks about the variety of spirituals gifts that are given to Christ’s church to be used to serve others.

 

Romans 12:6-8

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Each Christian has at least one, if not more, spiritual gifts that have been given to them to minister to the Body of Christ. But the influence of these gifts flows out to society as well. The woman who cooks meals for the homeless or those in need; becomes a leader in compassion. The politician who speaks the truth and keeps his word becomes; a leader in government. The office worker, who diligently works hard at his or her job, becomes a leader in the area of fulfilling responsibilities given to them.

 

In Revelation 7:17 we are given our example for leadership, “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Jesus leads us to springs of living water and we can lead others to God through our willingness to use our spiritual gifts and our commitment to serve our Heavenly Father.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 also gives us instruction on how our leadership may be simply lived out in our everyday lives. It states, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

 

ATTITUDE

 

Our commitment and leadership are worth nothing if our attitude is wrong. Christians above all should realize what they have gained by accepting Christ as their Savior. We have been saved from the muck and mire of sin. We have been redeemed from the penalty of death. We have been given an inheritance that is imperishable. We are granted eternal life. Out of such a realization should come a flow of love for life and for others around us.

 

Ephesians 4:22-24 reminds us of our former way of life and what we are to do with our future. It says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” As Christians we should have a new attitude about life that revolves around the new life we have in Christ. Our attitudes should be modeled after Christ Himself. This is spoken of in Philippians 2:5-8 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!”

 

We are to have the same attitude towards life that Christ had and spoken of in 1 Peter 4:1-3 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do.” We are to have an attitude that revolves around living according to the will of God with a deep commitment to our Savior and emulating Him in all we do.

 

SERVICE

 

Christianity is not a selfish faith. God laid down a foundation in Christ that tells us that our life revolves around service to God and those around us who are in need. We are meant to serve others as much as we are able. We do this because our time is short and we are called to be ready for the Lord’s return. I would say that I would rather be caught in acts of service when Christ returns than found lounging on the beach sipping a coke. Luke 12:35-37 speaks of this necessity for readiness. “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.”

 

2 Corinthians 9:13 tells us what happens when we fill our lives with service to others. “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” People will be led to the Lord because of our dedicated service that is expressed by our love for our Heavenly Father.

 

SUPPORT

 

Finally we must provide support for those around us if we are truly committed to God, willing to lead, possess a correct attitude and wish to serve. God gives us just the right amount of support as we need it. Psalms 18:16-18 speaks of such support from God when it says, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.” We support others because the Lord supports us. In 2 Timothy 4:16-17 Paul shares how no one came to his support, but he prays for such people. This is Godly support, to pray for those who fail you. To support those who need help even though they may not always appreciate it. This is Christian love. This is the mind of Christ.

 

 

So do you have C.L.A.S.S.?

 

 

A living COMMITMENT to God and His Word.

A willingness to LEAD in some fashion.

An ATTITUDE that emulates Christ Himself.

A desire to SERVE others.

A dedication to SUPPORT those around you.

 

 

 

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”