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Christian Decisions:

AFTER BECOMING A CHRISTIAN:

Is the question, "What can I do?", or ,"What should I do?"

We live under the Gospel of God's Grace, not the law, and many Christians give great weight to this fact. This obviously impacts what a Christian can or should do, but not in the way that some Christians think. The entire world changed with JESUS and the CROSS. Many may disagree about what is lawful, what is sin, and how the CROSS applies to the life of a Christian. This alone would be an interesting discussion, but there are many instructions in the Holy Bible that SHOULD most definitely apply.

First, the Holy Bible makes it abundantly clear that God's Grace is NOT a license to sin. So, for a Christian NOW, what is sin according to the Bible? But wait, is this all a Christian should consider in deciding what to do or not do?

Second, a Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The quality of this relationship and fellowship depends on many things that we do or don't do. It is strengthened by studying His Word, yielding to His Will, prayer, and many other things. With strength comes joy and increasing maturity. It is weakened when we don't do these things. When we do things that are wrong, we grieve the Holy Spirit and start losing our joy and strength. It goes without saying that a Christian should never want to grieve the Holy Spirit. There are ample instructions in the Holy Bible for a Christian to grow and mature in Christ. But wait, is this all a Christian should consider in deciding what to do or not do?

Third, a Christian's life is a testimony for Jesus, good or bad. Everything a Christian does or says will have a negative or positive influence on other brothers and sisters in Christ, the babes in Christ, those trying to make a decision for Christ, and the lost. Again, the Holy Bible has many instructions for a Christian's life and testimony before men. Just as an example, we are to have lives that set us apart from the world. In other words, the world should have no problem in recognizing us as Christians. The closer we act, do, and say as the world, the greater we fail. When we fail, we damage our fellowship with Jesus, our fellowship with other Christians, our testimony before men, and we grieve the Holy Spirit.

We have or had discussions all over the forum on many topics related to this question (i.e. music, movies, television, dress, appearance, sex, drinking, gambling, books, dancing, etc., etc.).

AFTER BECOMING A CHRISTIAN:

Is the question, "What can I do?", or ,"What should I do?"

WHAT DO YOU THINK AND WHY?

Love In Christ,
Tom

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Mr. BEP said:
Amen.
That pretty much sums it up - let actions tell the tale.  The tricky part; not appearing as if one is on a 'high horse' but acting with humility.  Not acting as if one is ‘better’, rather acting as if we simply recognize ourselves for what we are.  
We demonstrate who we are by publicly practicing
FAITH
HOPE
CHARITY (love)
These three actions, practiced together, must be the foundation of “what we can do” and “what we should do”.

Thars my 3 ½ cents…
JN

Amen JudgeNot,

I would say that is least a dime's worth, especially in the area of love and humility.

The main objective of this question is how others see us, instead of how we see them.

When I wrote this post, I was thinking about our current society and how it is difficult many times to recognize Christians because they are too much like the world.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.