| SACRIFICE As a Christian we are sometimes placed in a situation whereby we need to sacrifice our own lifestyle in order to help a friend or acquaintance in need. On occasions this can be the hardest thing for us to do especially if we are having to give up something we really enjoy. I myself have been in this situation on so many occasions and each time doesn't necessarily get any easier. I try to look at each situation individually and to determine where I am needed the most. Before becoming a Christian sadly I didn't find this atall easy and there were many times when I was not prepared to sacrifice my plans in order to help somebody out. However since accepting Christ into my life it has certainly made a difference in the way I think and do things. I am not saying I always do and say what is right but having Christ in my life makes me think more about how I live my life and how I treat other people. I wish I could say that everything is made clear as crystal when we become Christians but that is far from the truth and we are forever learning in our spiritual journey and will continue to learn until Christ's return. In each individual situation we are placed we not only need to look to God for guidance but we also need to listen to what He has to say to us in order that we will make the right decisions every day. However it is not as cut and dried as that and many a time we do not listen hard enough and do not hear God speaking to us in particular circumstances and we therefore are unable to obey his will and carry out his purpose for us. Taking all of this into consideration I think the basis for discerning doing right from doing wrong is first and foremost to keep God firmly in our sights and then secondly to act upon what He is telling us to do even though we may not initially be willing to do so. I suppose it is a matter of being able to put everything into perspective. |