An Example
Matthews gospel records,
On October 19th 2013 a faithful man died. He never became a household name but I’m sure on the day he entered heaven, heaven rejoiced.
His name Konstantin Vladianu. He was born in Pinzaran Moldova in the former Soviet Union. He died in Hamilton Ontario Canada.
His obituary reads in part.
“Konstantin’s faith in God was the most central thing in his life. He was very involved in the secret underground church, and he was a gifted preacher, blessed with dreams and visions from God which directed his life. He led his family by example in sacrificial giving of his time and resources.”
Konstantin truly knew what it was to serve God. To go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation and he did it under pain of imprisonment. Something few people here in the western world and especially North America have ever experienced.
Konstantin is not alone today there are millions of unspoken heros of the Christian faith like him around the world serving their Lord under threat of imprisonment or even death.
They do it without recognition in this world because they truly love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.
Men and women of God like Konstantin present the pure word of God. The message of Love for God, their neighbour and even their enemy. Unlike many in here in North America who claim to be Christians, and mix their faith with politics. Choosing to demonstrate for “their right” and protest against those they disagree with.
True Christians like Konstantin and those around the world like him today who are in harms way. In danger of imprisonment or death, are not protesting. They are simply getting on with the job of telling the world of God’s love.
They like the early church are setting the example for us all.
Christ, his disciple and those of the first century church did not protest against the secular government of Rome. They simply presented the Love of Christ to all who would listen. In doing so they turned the world upside down.
Billy Graham said of the men and women of the early church,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
This is how we as twenty-first century Christians should be.
The apostle Peter tells Christians,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
We in the North American church need to be doing this.
If we are true Christians we need to remember who we represent on this earth. We need to be pointing people to Christ in word and in deed. Not protesting against any lawful group.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo
Francis of Assisi said,
Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20On October 19th 2013 a faithful man died. He never became a household name but I’m sure on the day he entered heaven, heaven rejoiced.
His name Konstantin Vladianu. He was born in Pinzaran Moldova in the former Soviet Union. He died in Hamilton Ontario Canada.
His obituary reads in part.
“Konstantin’s faith in God was the most central thing in his life. He was very involved in the secret underground church, and he was a gifted preacher, blessed with dreams and visions from God which directed his life. He led his family by example in sacrificial giving of his time and resources.”
Konstantin truly knew what it was to serve God. To go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation and he did it under pain of imprisonment. Something few people here in the western world and especially North America have ever experienced.
Konstantin is not alone today there are millions of unspoken heros of the Christian faith like him around the world serving their Lord under threat of imprisonment or even death.
They do it without recognition in this world because they truly love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.
Men and women of God like Konstantin present the pure word of God. The message of Love for God, their neighbour and even their enemy. Unlike many in here in North America who claim to be Christians, and mix their faith with politics. Choosing to demonstrate for “their right” and protest against those they disagree with.
True Christians like Konstantin and those around the world like him today who are in harms way. In danger of imprisonment or death, are not protesting. They are simply getting on with the job of telling the world of God’s love.
They like the early church are setting the example for us all.
Christ, his disciple and those of the first century church did not protest against the secular government of Rome. They simply presented the Love of Christ to all who would listen. In doing so they turned the world upside down.
Billy Graham said of the men and women of the early church,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
This is how we as twenty-first century Christians should be.
The apostle Peter tells Christians,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
We in the North American church need to be doing this.
If we are true Christians we need to remember who we represent on this earth. We need to be pointing people to Christ in word and in deed. Not protesting against any lawful group.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon
some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men
and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
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