
There’s a reality that exists within the believer, and that reality is the fact that each of us possess
Customary, for clarity, means “commonly practiced, displayed, or observed” (an established reflection of behavior). These are self-evident traits, actions and behaviors that are unavoidable in an individual’s life. These are actions (and often words contribute just as much) that label and portray the believer in a certain light.
As self-professing believers/Christians, we strive to establish a behavior according to scripturally-defined values. It’s these values that can strongly influence the perspective and life practices of those around them.
Jn 13:35: Jesus taught that Christians would be recognizable by their distinctive behavior – specifically, by the way they love others and how their lives reflect their spiritual values and beliefs (i.e., the “fruit” of their transformation).
Barna stated that Christian
Evangelical is derived from the G/W (euangelion), meaning “good news” of the Gospel of Christ.
However, they are the group whose faith is most clearly evident in their behavioral lifestyle choices. There is a strong connection between the faith views and practices of evangelicals and their lifestyles. Evangelicals also emerged as the group most likely to attend church, pray, and read the Bible.
Evangelicals believe in the accuracy of the Bible and contend that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others. This belief, as Jesus/Disciples were Evangelical, produces a distinct way of living in an increasingly postmodern culture – a lifestyle that is increasingly at odds with the accepted norms of our culture today.
In the conclusion of this article and survey, it described that most believers’ faith had limited effect on their behavior. Meaning: they did not possess “customary” behaviors associated with their professing belief in Jesus. These lack of effects on the believers’ behaviors is affecting not only them, but the Gospel and our culture today.
By wavering on what is scripturally “customary,” believers/Christians have succumbed to impractical
– Honoring one’s own freedoms over truth.
We find in scripture that Peter exercised great freedom at the expense of his “customary” behavior as a disciple. And we’re not just pointing out Peter’s neglect to his faith and what was customary in his walk, because we - too often and just as easily - neglect our positioning in Jesus and faith by choosing or exercising our freedom towards self-will & preference.
Mt 26:69-73 (the arrest of Jesus by Judas’ betrayal and the eventual fulfillment of Jesus’ prophesy of Peter’s denial)
Notice there are two perspectives other’s saw that had been up to this point “Customary” in Peter’s faith.
1 - Peter’s
Are yours the actions of one who is always seen as being in the
2 - Peter’s
While being a Galilean and having a different dialect than the Jews in the area, he didn’t speak as a non-believing Jew but instead as a disciple of Jesus. His countenance was evident at witnessing Jesus’ arrest and treatment.
Happy should be the believer whose speech and behavior betrays him to be a disciple of Jesus in any and all matters!
Our question this morning is this:
“Does our customary behavior (speech & actions) compare us to Jesus or to others?”
Consider Peter Again
Right before he denied Jesus for the third time, something amazing happens!
Mt 26:73-74
It’s amazing how in the midst of Peter denying even knowing Jesus, he can’t help but to sound like somebody who does. Vs 74 talks about how he has to curse and swear in order to get them to believe and leave him alone. Peter had to force him self to sound more like them to disassociate himself from Him.
If our mission is really to connect people to Jesus (and it should be) we have to accept the question, “Who do we sound like - Him or them?”
I challenge you with this:
The closer you get to God, the more you will realize that people you thought had a relationship with God are actually far from Him. And the more time you are in His Word, the more you’ll realize that even those people who may speak of God don’t “customarily” act like Him!
When we consider what is “customary,” it begins with our faith and whether our actions resemble what we say we believe!
We must consider, and actually acknowledge that! Rom 8:9: Paul calls us to a Life in the Spirit, as a customary behavior. So what was customary behavior in Jesus life/ministry? – Lk 4:16: “as was his custom, he went to the synagogue”
In Mt 6 & 7 (Sermon on the Mount) in Mt 7:21-23 Jesus speaks to the danger of profession without faith (action).
Not everyone who talks about heaven belongs to God’s Kingdom. Jesus is more concerned about our
Jesus wants us to do what’s right, not just say what’s right -
What you do cannot be separated from what you believe.
The only time “incorrectly” isn’t spelled “incorrectly” is when it’s spelled “incorrectly.”
In other words, the only time a Christian isn’t a Christian is when he’s acting like them and not Him!
Close… On the fence –
Allow God to be God in your life. - Don’t become impatient with the process.