They will know we are Christians by....?
How *do* others know you are a Christian? Do they see Christ in you? The Bible says:
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10)
Are you fulfilling that law today? Are you loving your neighbor, your family member, your co-worker, the strangers you run across while running your errands? I'm not just talking about the amiable ones that are so easy to like & love...but rather, the ones that like to get under your skin...and not only that, but take great pleasure in doing so, as well. Christ speaks specifically re: how to treat those individuals:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...." Matthew 5:43
Joni Eareckson Tada says:
"We bear in our body the bruising and battering intended for Christ. What's more, we bear it in a godly manner. Jesus is not around in the flesh right now to do this, but we are. We are the walking billboards of his finished work. We are showing people his power is displayed, and we are telling them of his death on the cross - we take the punches on the chin from the world to show and tell that the cheek can be turned, the cross can be carried, the burden can be borne, the thorn can be accepted, the temptation can be opposed, and the wicked can be loved. People don't know the reality of what the Lord did 2,000 years ago; they only know it when they see him show up through our lives.
Lord Jesus, you received so many afflictions when you walked on earth. People misunderstood you, turned their backs on you, and abused you. It probably will happen to me, too, as I do 'show and tell.' Give me strength to walk in your shoes today. Give me courage. Be powerful through me. 'Fill up in my flesh' what is lacking!"
My prayer as we go through each new day...with each person He so purposefully sends across our paths...is that we always remember we are His light to each and everyone we encounter.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-14) May our days find us as salt...full of much flavor...giving others reasons too numerous to number, to praise our Father in heaven!
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10)
Are you fulfilling that law today? Are you loving your neighbor, your family member, your co-worker, the strangers you run across while running your errands? I'm not just talking about the amiable ones that are so easy to like & love...but rather, the ones that like to get under your skin...and not only that, but take great pleasure in doing so, as well. Christ speaks specifically re: how to treat those individuals:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...." Matthew 5:43
Joni Eareckson Tada says:
"We bear in our body the bruising and battering intended for Christ. What's more, we bear it in a godly manner. Jesus is not around in the flesh right now to do this, but we are. We are the walking billboards of his finished work. We are showing people his power is displayed, and we are telling them of his death on the cross - we take the punches on the chin from the world to show and tell that the cheek can be turned, the cross can be carried, the burden can be borne, the thorn can be accepted, the temptation can be opposed, and the wicked can be loved. People don't know the reality of what the Lord did 2,000 years ago; they only know it when they see him show up through our lives.
Lord Jesus, you received so many afflictions when you walked on earth. People misunderstood you, turned their backs on you, and abused you. It probably will happen to me, too, as I do 'show and tell.' Give me strength to walk in your shoes today. Give me courage. Be powerful through me. 'Fill up in my flesh' what is lacking!"
My prayer as we go through each new day...with each person He so purposefully sends across our paths...is that we always remember we are His light to each and everyone we encounter.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-14) May our days find us as salt...full of much flavor...giving others reasons too numerous to number, to praise our Father in heaven!
posted by His Proverbs31 Sparrow at 3:41 PM
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