Standard of Living-2 Sides
June 9, 2013 Leave a comment
“People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living.” James 3:18 ERV
Standard of Living-2 Sides
Is there a standard of living imposed to man? Are we really bound to do something a certain way? Who said this is normal? What is normal? What is righteous? What is the right way and what is the wrong way? Is insulting people a righteous action? Is hurting a spouse or a friend a normal thing to do? Is my lustful thinking abnormal? Is looking at beautiful objects and adoring them normal? Is drinking alcohol normal? Is my gossiping normal? Is telling a lie abnormal? Is my obsession normal? Is my anxiety and depression normal? Is my anger normal ? Is going to church normal? Is praying normal? Is praising and worshiping God normal? Is blogging normal? Is telling my life story normal?
Who draws the normal line?
When I engaged in a deep conversation with a friend, I’m always asked “what is normal and where do you get it?” Is there such thing as “normal”?
[I don’t engage in debates of moral and ethical standard. I normally just leave it hanging and then let my life speaks for itself.]
Then comes next week, he comes back with a story of failure, misfortune, unnecessary loss, an issue with the spouse, problems, fights, arguments financial mistakes etc.
Digging deeper to the issue, I will find truths why the event occurred. The misfortune happened as a consequence of not doing the right thing. Subconsciously, we carry thoughts that are out of the norm and then we come into a situation and we respond the wrong way. Our response to the event produces something unpleasant.
The world is filled with laws. Speed limit for example is there to provide safety to the public. Violate the law and you are in trouble. But life is more than just speed limits. There is always a fine line drawn towards perfection. It will always be there. So what is the secret?
There is no secret.
I have a Christian belief deep down in my soul. I read and study the Bible daily. But what about those people that don’t know Christianity? How would they know that there is a Christian standard and it is coming from the book called the Bible? Does the standard applies to them? Can I just say “hey, I did not know that”. Will that excuse me from following and doing the right thing?
The truth is there is a hidden standard. Some call it a “code of ethics”, moral values, Biblical beliefs etc.
You have to have one or else life will be chaotic or each day you will be tossed like a flotation device in the middle of the ocean and no specific direction.
Follow those standards and you will not any negative consequences – they call it in simple terms “Blessings”.
What is blessing?
Blessing by definition is “a desirable state”. Do you want it? It is all up to you.
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