The Christian's Philosophy of Life

The Christian's Philosophy of Life
Every intelligent being has a philosophy by which he lives and interprets the world about him. This is true even if he has not consciously thought out the matter. Webster's fourth definition of philosophy is "the beliefs, concepts and attitudes of an individual or group." Every Christian has beliefs, concepts and attitudes built upon the teachings of Christ.

* Fundamental to our philosophy is a firm belief in a Supreme Being, Jehovah, the one God of the universe (Deut. 6:4).

The heavens and earth and all things therein were created by God through Jesus (Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-2; 14).

Of all the living creatures on earth, man is the highest, being alone made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26).

This image of God in man means that his life is sacred. We are forbidden to kill our fellow-man since he is made in God's image (Gen. 9:6) and those guilty of murder should forfeit their lives.

As the highest of God's creatures, He has made us stewards of his creation (I Pet. 4:10). All the lesser creatures He placed under our hands, not to recklessly destroy but to use for food and other purposes (Gen. 9:2-3).

God is the source of all our blessings, both spiritual and material (Jas. 1:17; Eph.1:3). Thus we are indebted to Him as our provider and should always express our thankfulness (Eph. 5:20).

Even though we are made in God's image we are now flawed because of sin (Rom. 3:23). Thus none of us fully measure up to God's expectations. Being flawed ourselves we cannot expect perfection of others.

Fortunately for us, God still loves us in spite of our failures and devised a plan whereby his sinless Son would bear the penalties due to us and thereby we could be saved (John 3:16).

The only way and place wherein fallen humanity can find salvation is in Christ and his way (John 14:6).

Those who are not faithful disciples of Christ are lost and in need of salvation (II Thess. 1:8). It is our responsibility to make every effort to preach the gospel to lost humanity that they might be saved (Mark 16:15-16).

All people who are saved in Christ are added to his one church which is God's spiritual family (Acts 2:47). In the church we are expected to worship and serve God all our earthly days.

Christ's church (kingdom) is not of this world (John18:36). It is a heavenly or spiritual kingdom. Thus the church is not to conduct itself as a worldly political or economic kingdom.

Our God not only created the world, he maintains the rulership of it. Thus throughout history he has intervened in human affairs. He rules in the kingdoms of men (Dan. 4:25).

While the Creator has designed innumerable natural laws by which the creation normally functions, He still acts to protect his people, to punish the wicked and to provide the needs of all (Matt. 5:45). He hears and answers the prayers of his people (Matt. 7:11). This we call Divine Providence.

Beyond His providence, we believe that God has wrought miracles on earth to deliver his people from their enemies, provide their needs and confirm his messengers. He still has that power and can exercise it should he choose to do so.

As Christians we serve God through Jesus Christ according to his New Testament (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 5:9). We are not amenable to the Mosaic code which was taken out of the way in Jesus's death (Col. 2:14-15).

Our moral obligations are summarized by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-7:29).

We are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and our neighbor as our self (Matt. 22:37-29).

We are to treat others as we would have them treat us (Matt. 7:12).

We are to be a gentle people, doing our best to live at peace with all men (Rom. 12:18).

In our personal lives, we are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly (Tit. 2:12).

We are to honor Christ's code of purity, whether we be single or married (I Thess. 4:3-5). Marriage is to be held in the highest honor (Heb. 13:4).

Christ demands truth and honesty of his disciples in every aspect of life (Eph. 4:25-28).

Christian employees are to be honest and diligent in serving their employers, working as unto God (Eph.6:6-7).

God expect his people to be a compassionate, charitable people (Gal. 6:10; Jas.1:27).

We live on earth as pilgrims in transit to God's country (I Pet. 2:11). Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

We are to be good citizens of our nation. Obeying every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake (I Pet . 2:13).

Whatever we do in word or in deed we are to the glory our God (Col. 3:17).

We live knowing that for every deed of this life we will give account to God in the day of judgement (II Cor. 5:10).

We view this life as a prelude to eternal life with God in heaven. Hardships of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glories of that to come (Rom. 8:18). We accept death as a reality of life(Heb. 9:27) but face it in full hope that Christ will raise us from the dead (I Thess. 4:16-17) and transport us to the home he has prepared for us (John 14:3).

This is our philosophy, our world view, the code by which we live and die. We commend it to all as the way of truth and righteousness that provides joy in this realm and leads ultimately to eternal life.

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