CHRIST LIKE
When someone says, "I'm a Christian." My first inclination has always been skepticism. Growing up it always seems the folks that pronounced it always ended up doing something completely opposite of what I thought a Christian should be, act like, or do. To this day, my flags still go up when I hear, "I'm a Christian." I am a believer in the fruits that you bear, not the words that you say, are living proof to your faith in Christ. We simply have to be a Christian, not say it, just do it.
Roman 15:5
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...
I have been weary of those that call themselves a Christian, which means to be like Christ, but even more so when someone who calls themself family, dear friend, or sister in Christ, and their actions are anything but Christ like. Sure, we all fail or can be spiritually immature at times and so far from Christ, that we might question our own walk.
Thank God for GREAT GRACE daily, because without it we would all be screwed. But when a close person who calls him or herself Christ-like, consistently shows you they are anything but, it may be time for you to brush your sandals off.
Lets visit how the message reads, Romans 15:3-6
That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
We are to live in harmony. Not one voice, but voices together as a choir. Walking through each others trials and victories with one another, praying for one another, walking in maturity with Him and each other daily. Not hurting one another or pretending to a true friend and slandering one another or causing strife.
What if someone you were doing life with, suddenly stopped being part of the choir? What if all the things that you walked through together, this person began to use against you and break the intimate trust and faith walk? It can be difficult enough to open your heart in the first place, but once you do and you form a bond or an intimate relationship, these things can deeply wound.
God says to ask. To seek. To knock. And He will answer. I beckon you to spend some time with the Lord and ask, who you are to do life with. Your inner circle is vitality important and needs to be protected. Sometimes people come as wolves in sheep's clothing. Seeming to be your friend, or worst a "brother or sister in Christ." Look at their fruits not their speech. What do their actions tell you? Most importantly what does God tells us to do.
Be kind to them, pray for them, but if they don't receive you, bless them, brush off your sandals and continue on your way.
People hurt, God never will. No matter what, you stay the course and continue to be like Christ. You will never have to utter the words, "I am a Christian." Your fruit and actions will say it all.
In Him
Michelle A. Thielen
YOGAFAITH
Mark 12:30
Acts 17:28
