Christ’s representative
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17.
I turned sixty-five this year. For all but nineteen of those years I have served the Lord. I like to think I have done my best in representing him.
Over the years however I’ve heard Christians referred to as hypocrites, bigots, money grabbers and worse. Sadly I can see from the standpoint of some groups in our society that those labels can be placed on those who call themselves Christians.
Many calling themselves Christians have done their best to restrict the rights of other groups. They have yelled the word SINNER, SINNER, SINNER, so many times, that it’s lost it’s meaning.
Many calling themselves Christians make people think God is simply a grumpy old man ready to beat you with a stick each time you do wrong. That you can’t do anything right for God.
Many calling themselves Christians have mixed their politics with their faith. Which as some one has said,
"Mixing your faith with your politics is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive."
Sadly it is people who call themselves Christians. Who protest against everything they disagree with. That people notice. Yet such people may not be Christian.
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”Matthew 7:21-23.
The apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ wrote,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
To the Roman believers Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
The apostle Peter also writing to believers in Christ said,
“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 2:11,12.
As a true believer in Christ Jesus I firmly believe that we are to follow what Peter and Paul said. We are to live at peace with those around us.
We are to represent Jesus in the best possible light. For it is the only way we will win souls for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
You should be showing unconditional love to all those around you even if you disagree with them. Even if they are your enemy.
Are you?
Please think about it.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17.
I turned sixty-five this year. For all but nineteen of those years I have served the Lord. I like to think I have done my best in representing him.
Over the years however I’ve heard Christians referred to as hypocrites, bigots, money grabbers and worse. Sadly I can see from the standpoint of some groups in our society that those labels can be placed on those who call themselves Christians.
Many calling themselves Christians have done their best to restrict the rights of other groups. They have yelled the word SINNER, SINNER, SINNER, so many times, that it’s lost it’s meaning.
Many calling themselves Christians make people think God is simply a grumpy old man ready to beat you with a stick each time you do wrong. That you can’t do anything right for God.
Many calling themselves Christians have mixed their politics with their faith. Which as some one has said,
"Mixing your faith with your politics is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive."
Sadly it is people who call themselves Christians. Who protest against everything they disagree with. That people notice. Yet such people may not be Christian.
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”Matthew 7:21-23.
The apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ wrote,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
To the Roman believers Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
The apostle Peter also writing to believers in Christ said,
“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 2:11,12.
As a true believer in Christ Jesus I firmly believe that we are to follow what Peter and Paul said. We are to live at peace with those around us.
We are to represent Jesus in the best possible light. For it is the only way we will win souls for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus. You should be able in all good conscience be able to say those words of Francis of Assisi and live them.You should be showing unconditional love to all those around you even if you disagree with them. Even if they are your enemy.
Are you?
Please think about it.
