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Simple Mathematics



If you're like me, you're probably thinking there is no such thing as "simple" mathematics... and the picture above does not help! For some of us, even the simplest calculations require technological assistance. But don't lose heart, loved one! The equation I am about to give you is so simple even a pre-school student can understand it (I think!). So here it is, in the form of an "if/then" statement:

If a=b, then b=a

Simple, right? Of course it is because it is logical. The equal sign ("=") means that whatever is on either side of that sign is the same. So even if you reverse the order in which you list the items on either side of that equal sign, they are still equal.

So then, how does this simple premise, simple equation apply to this inconvenient Christian journey. Here it is: Christian = Christ follower, Christ follower = Christian.  Again, simple, no?

Or is it? It seems to me that we as Christians do not always act like Christ followers. We let our tempers or desires or habits get in the way and then we expect that the loving God that we serve and the wonderful  Christ, whose name we bear, is obligated to forgive us merely because we request it.

Let's break down the words "follow" shall we? Collins dictionary defines it as:


a. to accept as a guide or leader; accept the authority of or give allegiance to.
b. to conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey: to follow orders; to follow advice.
c. to imitate or copy; use as an exemplar.


First of all, a Christian accepts Christ as a guide or leader. We accept His authority and give Him allegiance. We follow His orders and we imitate His example. In other words, we if Christ is our authority and the One to whom we give our allegiance, then ought we not to do what He asks of us and lives as He expects us?

In Luke 10:27 (NIV), Jesus commands, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Two commandments that Christ followers ought to keep.  Loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind* means doing just that. When a person loves another, they seek to please them, not to grieve them. They seek to do the things that make the other happy to demonstrate that love.

We know how God demonstrated His love for us. Rom. 5:8 tells us that while we were yet sinners, with no thought of a Saviour and no concept of redemption, God sent Christ His son to die for us. And the way we show Him our love is to be steadfast followers. Do the things that please Him and refrain from doing the things that don't.

The task is simple..The math is simple...So is the question: does your a equal b?

*A blog about this is to come.



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Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 5, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    Great read.... for me whenever I feel like I'm about to say or do something that may not please God I first ask myself "What would God do? or Will God be please about this?" and if the answer is "No" then I reevaluate myself and the situation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Josie JamesAugust 5, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    agreed. if all Christians did that we would be far more effective in winning souls.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    Your introduction seems to suggest that all a woman can be is wife or mother or both, and since you're neither, God is your consolation prize. Maybe you should reword it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Josie JamesAugust 7, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Hi "Anonymous,"

    I'm sorry if that is how my profile reads to you, but that was not at all what I was trying to convey. I would prefer to leave the wording as is because I want it to be a contrast to other profiles where women define themselves as wife/mother first and then as a child of the King. God is certainly not a consolation prize. Thanks for the feedback though!

    God bless!

    ReplyDelete

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