ACCEPT THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU TO DO

As believers we are managers of the gifts that God has given us. We are to manage the short time that God has given us - not wasting it on our own vein pleasures but using it always for the exclusively to the glory of God. We are to manage the money and resources that are given to us by God - not as if it were ours to be wasted on anything but for your necessities (basic and not extravagant food - clothing - shelter) and for the glory of God. We are managers of this body of ours which is also the temple of the very Spirit of God. As the dwelling place of God's spirit we are not to defile God's temple with sin and should care for it as if it were not our own but as a caretaker of the temple of God. We are managers of one another and are to not only be watchful of ourselves but are to care for God's sheep. We are also managers of the grace and mercy of God. God freely gives these gifts of grace and mercy and we are not to despise them by returning to our old wicked ways. God has freed us from sin by His grace. To undo the work of grace and return to sin is to despise God's grace and considering it to be of no value to you. We are to use the grace of God to be transformed into the image of Christ. There are far too many that squander the gifts of God and live a wasteful life accomplishing nothing.  MATTHEW 25 14   " For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15   "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16   "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17   "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18   "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19   "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20   "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' 21   "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 22   "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' 23   "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 24   "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25   'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' 26   "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27   'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28   'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' 29   " For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30   "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

If you are going to call yourself a "Christian", a "believer", a child of "God", ect..., you should act in a way as to not shame the name of Christ. Constantly examine yourself to see that your life is within the will of God. People will judge the whole body of believers based on one person's actions. A Christian should have a loving spirit with an attitude that puts the needs of others before and instead of his own. There must be no pride, selfishness, arrogance, haughtiness, envyness, lustfulness, greed or any evilness in the mind of a believer. We must make a constant, daily effort to transform our mind from a mind based on self, greed and wickedness, to a mind focused on godliness, holiness, righteousness......and above all, love. The mind is the battlefield of good and evil. If no evil enters the mind, then no evil will be done. Righteousness will not be accomplished by trying to follow rules and laws. Righteousness is accomplished through the constant desire and through constant praying for the perfect mind of Christ. This should be the goal for all believers. Avoid anything that could possibly tempt you to sin, as we are a lot weaker than we would like to admit. The best way to prevent yourself from stumbling is to avoid temptation in the first place. You know the things that easily tempt you. You know how to avoid them. If you purposely place yourself in a situation that you know will be difficult to resist, you will most likely stumble. I know that there are times when temptation cannot be avoided. Sometimes it seems no matter how careful you are it can sneak up on you and take you unaware. Always pray to God for strength during these moments, pray for God to protect you from them. Also, do not become overconfident and think that you have mastered temptation, as you may not be as strong as you think. Do not take on too many obligations or activities as time easily slips away. If you do not find time for prayer, studying God's word, and fellowship with other believers, you will not find the strength to walk the path of righteousness. We must always remind ourselves that we are to live for God and not for ourselves. Also, Christians should look after one another and encourage each other so that no one becomes discouraged and falls back into sin. This has become very difficult to do as many churches are very large and a person can be "lost in the crowd".I recommend a very small church or a home church, as it is easier to get to know everyone. How can you give effective encouragement to another believer that you hardly know? Encouragement is very important, as is discipline. A person can hide his sin in a large crowd but it is much more difficult in a smaller assembly amongst close friends. Finally, a Christian's most important responsibility is to help others see that they need to acknowledge God and be reconciled to Him. Someone at one time has to have shared Jesus with you. Show your gratitude for that person and for Christ and tell someone else! Learn to show love to others especially to those that don't deserve it. Showing your love can usually have a greater effect on a person than anything you can say to them. Be sure that you always read the Word of God and pray for correct understanding as you don't want to be a false teacher and lead someone in error. Remember action speaks louder than words. Do not only be a hearer but be a doer. Knowing what it is to be righteous is not the same as being righteous. JAMES 1 22   But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  (NKJV) Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.   3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;   4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.   5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.   6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.   7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.   8For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light   9 (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),   10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.   11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them.]   12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.   13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.   14Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."   15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,   16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.   17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord [is.]   18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,   19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,   20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,   21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.   EPHESIANS 4      17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[4] : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.