Words and Opposite

Gandhi is reported to have said: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ"

Gandhi also said: “I know of no one who has done more for humanity than Jesus. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Christianity.” Unfortunately, he added; “The trouble is with you Christians. You do not begin to live up to your own teachings.”

Sadly, this is true all too often.

People say they are religious but they are intolerant. People say they are religious and they are judgemental. A true Christian heart loves all unconditionally that includes, the ill (both mentally and physically), the old, the wicked, the lost, the poor, the weak and even the strong, no one should be left out it the boat of true Christian spirit, but many times they are and I find it sad and distasteful.

I am grieved that we are not showing forth the heart of Christ.  I am grieved that someone like Gandhi could like Christ but not see his likeness in those called by his name.  I am grieved that when Jesus walked this earth, sinners flocked to him as a safe place, and while they still do so today, often the church is not that place at all neither are the Christians therein.  I am grieved that this quote from Gandhi too often reflects the true sentiments of multitudes of people today.

Being a good example is part of our calling as growing believers. No matter the aspect of life – physical, mental, social, financial, etc., we should realise that people are always watching us, new believers, young believers, and the world in general will look to us to see that our actions match our words. We must strive for consistency in making our walk match our talk. We need to realise that confessing our sins and shortcomings is what we need to get back to where we need to be in our walk with God and in our relationship with others.

I am talking about humbling ourselves before God and asking Him to search our hearts, and to show us ourselves and the real Jesus with spiritual eyes.  I am also talking about asking Him to make us eye-catching to “sinners”, for us to be people who “join the rest of the human race.”  To become one follower of Christ that gives someone somewhere a taste of the heart of God.

Godly wisdom can help us to avoid such issues that take us away from the ideal persons God designed us to be and to heal us when necessary. Self-examination is vital from time to time. We must make sure that our attitudes and actions are not wrong. An unwillingness to deal with these attitudinal deviations can bring long-term reproach to God’s name. If we have wronged others by our words or actions, we need to seek reconciliation by asking for forgiveness and making restitution, if necessary.

We also have a responsibility to hold other believers accountable for how they live. The goal is that all believers live to please God and make the gospel attractive to unbelievers. Practising Godly wisdom allows us to grow stronger in our faith and our commitment to one another.

Level Pegging

Mart De Haan told a story thus:

“My son and his wife have a 120-pound American bulldog with a powerful body and a fearsome face. Yet until we became friends, “Buddy” was not sure he could trust me. As long as I was on my feet, he would keep his distance and would not look at me in the eye. Then one day I learned that if I would get down on the ground, the mood of Buddy’s big-jowled face would change. Sensing I was no longer a threat, he’d come running like a freight train, pounce on me with his big feet, and want me to scratch his muscular neck”.

God chose throughout the Old Testament to reveal himself and His will to His chosen people specifically and to all people in general through the prophets. He has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says--powerful words!

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood and lived amongst us. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John pointed him out and called, "This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word."

We can sense the greatness of God’s love and compassion for us in that He sent His Son to become a man to take our place and die for our sins. From His lowly birth to the suffering on the cross to the power of His resurrection, Jesus’ life was the ultimate expression of God’s desire for us to know Him.

Just like Buddy in the story above, God came down to our level and lived among us in the person of Christ. From the day that our first parents sinned and hid from the presence of the Lord, our tendency has been to be afraid of coming to a high and holy God on His terms. God showed how low He was willing to go to bring us to Himself. By adopting the form of a lowly servant, our Creator lived and died to disarm our wrongs. Even now, He is coaxing us from the cover of our spiritual darkness to call us friends. How can we still be afraid to trust Him?

Entering the human family as a baby allowed God to reveal himself to us in a way in which we could better understand Him. Let us therefore, allow the true meaning of Christmas to guide our thoughts and actions. 

The Lord's Chosen

If one wins a raffle and a cheque is issued or one does a job and the person he did the job for gives him a cheque; unless the cheque is taken to and/or presented in a bank, the cheque is just but a piece of paper, it amounts to nothing. Many Christians are like that, in that, they are not availing themselves of the unlimited promises of God. They may put them on a plaque on the wall, show it to everyone but practically they never actually use God’s promises in their daily lives. Peter wants us to know that… “God has granted to us everything we need for life and godliness through knowing Christ and trusting in His all-sufficient promises.”

We have all these because we are a “chosen people”, one set aside for God. Linage of “royal priests”, “a holy nation”, “a peculiar people” and “God’s own possession”. God did all these so we can show others the goodness of God, for he called us out of the darkness into his wonderful light. "Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy."

This idea of being chosen includes free will. People have free will, so are free to choose to serve Christ or not. However, all who believe in Christ become part of that chosen people, through salvation. Hard times and difficulties may challenge our resolve and create questions in the hearts of even very strong believers. Questions like, am I really a Christian or have I somehow forsaken God unknowingly, does a real Christian go through extended times of pain and suffering like this?

In times like these, we need a perspective as well as assurance. Knowing that, from the beginning, God created us for a purpose helps us remember who we are, in spite of what we are going through or how we feel now. In the grand plan of things, God did not just choose us to become Christians and that will be it. He also made provision for how we will achieve this goal. We can only reach the goal through a continued process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit and a steadfast belief in the truth. The Holy Spirit separates us to God and obedience to His will and grants us the help and power to live holy.

God does not leave us with simply an ideal goal. He himself makes it possible for us to achieve that goal. God provides the resources we need for standing firm. At times, everyone faces tense circumstances. The past could hold unpleasant memories. The present may seem out of control. Moreover, the future may be uncertain. Nevertheless, we are not at the mercy of such circumstances and the accompanying emotions. God is our source of comfort, encouragement and strength. 

What If...?

What if there was a big explosion and on opening your eyes, you are standing at the judgment throne of God… what will your account be? What if you slept at night, on waking up all the saints were already long gone, rapture had taken place… what will you do? What if you boarded a flight but could not get to your destination because the plane crashed and there was no time to make amends… what will your excuse be? What if you were standing on the roadside, a speeding vehicle that has lost its break runs you over, and the doctors said there is nothing we can do for him now… what will your explanation as to why you will not enter heaven be?

It is a big shame and gives me great concern the attitude of many Christians and believers towards the second coming of Christ. Some are fearful, apathetic, or even sceptical as unbelievers would. The scripture warns against the dangers of apathy and distractions. It also warns that we must guard against an unhealthy love for this world. There is also the risk of being lulled into a state of indifference or coldness by becoming complacent about the need to consistently mature in our relationship with Christ. Some Christians may be discouraged by the amount of time that has passed since Christ’s promised return.

It is certain that Christ will return. The truth is clear. Christ’s return must not come to us a surprise. We ought to be watchful and be ready, equipped, prepared, and set for His promised return. The promise of Christ’s coming will bring us peace when we are prepared at every moment for Him to return.

As regards our readiness, it is solely on us to decide. God created us with free will. People can choose to follow God’s truth or to follow the blinding, enslaving lies of Satan. God honours the choices people make, even when those choices lead to their destruction. Still, His love compels Him toward acts of grace for their redemption. Those who reject His love are condemned by choosing not to believe.

Are we vulnerable to deception because we do not make knowing God’s word a priority? Are we alert, living with the awareness that Christ will return and allowing that reality to guide our choices? Christ is coming again. We must live faithfully for Him so we are ready for him.

Brother afar from The Saviour today
Risking your soul for the things that decay
Oh if today God should call you away
What would you give in exchange for your soul

Mercy is calling you won't you give heed
Must the Dear Saviour still tenderly plead
Risk not your soul it is precious indeed
What would you give in exchange for your soul

More than all silver and gold of this earth
More than all jewels the spirit is worth
God The Creator has given it birth
What would you give in exchange for your soul

Marana tha

She would not compromise as others do and the lecturer would fail her repeatedly; he would not pay the bribe they asked for so he lost the contract; she refused to sleep with him before marriage so he called off the marriage; his parent refused to pay his school fees because he goes to church; maybe none of them is your story but believers are persecuted daily. How will we respond? Where will we be in the weeks and months following this persecution? If we are faithful to our saviour, we will receive His commendation.

Faithfulness relates closely to perseverance – facing the challenges of life without allowing them hinder one’s progress in the faith. It involves an ongoing steadiness and consistency. Despite all challenges we face as Christians, we have this assurance – the temporary sufferings and persecutions for Christ’s sake will be replaced by an eternity of reward and rejoicing.

The Lord will one day correct these injustice. God will one day judge the persecutors, the unrepentant evil doers, no matter how successful they may seem – the day of utter vindication for God’s people, when righteousness will triumph and sin will be completely defeated.

God’s judgement will come upon those who do not know him and those who do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus. Knowing God involves intimacy and relationship with Him. God calls us his children because we believe in Christ. We have the wonderful promise that “we shall be like him as he is” we shall find ultimate participation and fulfillment in His glory when we are like Him.

Being counted worthy to be called God’s children is not about what we did, how we led our lives or what we earned. It is a by grace that we are saved. We surrendered ourselves to God’s purpose for our lives. We turn over to His control with the assurance that He is leading us to a place beyond what we could imagine.

Yes, persecutions and self-denials will come. Sometimes, it may continue even to the end of our lives. However, if we preserver, God’s plan will be fully seen in us. No power on earth or scheme of humankind can change that reality. We should expect His redemption, when our expectations is cut off, we should hope, when hope fail, we should have faith. If faith does not seem to be doing the job, we should endure. When enduring is not enough we should preserve. However, in all we do, we should never give up. God is not done with us yet.

We must maintain an eternal perspective. We can know that despite our challenges and limitations, we have eternal life through faith in Christ. We do well to examine our attitudes from time to time, ensuring that the problems of the present does not distract us from focusing on eternity. While the world can overwhelm us with trials, its pressures and priorities can also distract us; with God’s help, may we respond solemnly to the realities of God’s judgement by seeking eternal rewards.