As a Believer in Christ
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ Jesus states,
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 1 Peter 1:15-17.
Peter later writes,
“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.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus you MUST REMEMBER that you are Christ’s representative on this earth. That people can and do see Jesus through your words and deeds. You cannot do anything lightly. If you do, your actions could have eternal consequences.
Some time ago now there was a thing that went through the church particularly among teens. It was wrist band that had the letters W. W. J. D. for What Would Jesus do.
If we claim to be believers in Christ Jesus we need to take stock of our lives. We need to pray and ask God to show us where we fall short in serving Him. We need to ask God if we have are prejudice in any way toward anyone.
Jesus showed no prejudice. He talked to a Samaritan woman (John 4:6-26). Jews of the day were not to have contact with Samaritans yet Jesus did.
He was accused of sitting with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:23-32) which he did.
Jesus and his disciples were willing to sit down and present the gospel to anyone who would listen irrespective of who they are and without judging them. Are you?
Here’s something to think about if you profess to be a follower of Christ Jesus.
1/ If you met a rich man dressed in a nice suit would you be willing to tell him about Jesus? Would the congregation you attend let him in and be willing to tell him about Jesus?
2/ If you met a person living on the street who was dirty and unkempt who perhaps had a strong body odour, or reeking of alcohol, would you be willing to speak to him or her about Jesus without judging them. Would you be willing to offer some help to them?
Would the congregation you attend let them in, offer them help, and be willing to present the gospel message to them without judging them?
3/ If you met two men holding hands obviously enamoured with one another, would you be willing to witness to them without judging them?
Would they be welcome in the congregation you attend if they showed up holding hands? Would the congregation you attend pass judgement on them?
As believers in Christ Jesus we must remember that we are “aliens and strangers in the world”. That we are to,
“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.” 1Peter 2:12
We must remember above all that it is not our job to judge the world. The Apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2
The job of all believers in Christ Jesus is to love the world in the same way God did. To present the gospel message to anyone who will listen irrespective of who they are without judging them.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus then you are continuing the work of Jesus. That being to save the world. Not to judge it.
Believers in Christ Jesus are indeed a citizen of Heaven working in a foreign land seeking to save the lost.
Is this what you are doing?
Please think about it.
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ Jesus states,
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 1 Peter 1:15-17.
Peter later writes,
“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.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus you MUST REMEMBER that you are Christ’s representative on this earth. That people can and do see Jesus through your words and deeds. You cannot do anything lightly. If you do, your actions could have eternal consequences.
Some time ago now there was a thing that went through the church particularly among teens. It was wrist band that had the letters W. W. J. D. for What Would Jesus do.
If we claim to be believers in Christ Jesus we need to take stock of our lives. We need to pray and ask God to show us where we fall short in serving Him. We need to ask God if we have are prejudice in any way toward anyone.
Jesus showed no prejudice. He talked to a Samaritan woman (John 4:6-26). Jews of the day were not to have contact with Samaritans yet Jesus did.
He was accused of sitting with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:23-32) which he did.
Jesus and his disciples were willing to sit down and present the gospel to anyone who would listen irrespective of who they are and without judging them. Are you?
Here’s something to think about if you profess to be a follower of Christ Jesus.
1/ If you met a rich man dressed in a nice suit would you be willing to tell him about Jesus? Would the congregation you attend let him in and be willing to tell him about Jesus?
2/ If you met a person living on the street who was dirty and unkempt who perhaps had a strong body odour, or reeking of alcohol, would you be willing to speak to him or her about Jesus without judging them. Would you be willing to offer some help to them?
Would the congregation you attend let them in, offer them help, and be willing to present the gospel message to them without judging them?
3/ If you met two men holding hands obviously enamoured with one another, would you be willing to witness to them without judging them?
Would they be welcome in the congregation you attend if they showed up holding hands? Would the congregation you attend pass judgement on them?
As believers in Christ Jesus we must remember that we are “aliens and strangers in the world”. That we are to,
“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.” 1Peter 2:12
We must remember above all that it is not our job to judge the world. The Apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2
The job of all believers in Christ Jesus is to love the world in the same way God did. To present the gospel message to anyone who will listen irrespective of who they are without judging them.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,
“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,
God’s job to judge
and
my job to love,”
Billy Graham.
The apostle Paul defining Christian love as,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Jesus speaking of himself said,“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus then you are continuing the work of Jesus. That being to save the world. Not to judge it.
Believers in Christ Jesus are indeed a citizen of Heaven working in a foreign land seeking to save the lost.
Is this what you are doing?
Please think about it.
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