An imitation of Christ
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV1984)
The best way for me to pick up on the attitude of Christ is to ask; “Do I want the same things as Christ?” I humbly and embarrassingly admit that the answer is no. What I experience are glimpses, moments of actually living like Christ. What I mean is that I am never fully void of a type of self centeredness in my thoughts. My moments of altruism are far to fleeting for my tastes. Just like Paul, I don’t understand myself. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. Instead, I do the things I despise (Romans 7:15 NLT).
My pastor said something in one of his Sunday morning services that has stayed with me for weeks. The statement was, in my opinion, incredibly simple and yet extraordinarily profound. In a few short words Pastor Mason answered the question, “What was the attitude of Christ?” He said that, “The whole duty of man is to glorify God and help others live well.” I think this is probably the best example of following God that I have ever heard. If we are imitators of Christ (literal interpretation of Christian is “Little Christ”) then we should bear some sort of similarity to him in order to wear the moniker. Jesus allowed himself to be poured out as a drink offering to God, on our behalf. I wonder, does that describe your life? Does it describe mine?
Ask yourself these questions:
Does my life look like that of Christ?
Does my theology sound like that of Christ?
Do I bring glory to God?
Do I help others to live well in Christ?
These questions are not intended to bring guilt as much as they are intended to cause a change of direction and thought. Be imitators of God and of Christ. For in the end, Jesus glorified his dad and caused us to live well by his sacrifice on Calvary. This is our duty now, to imitate Christ by bringing glory to God and helping others to live well.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Choose your trouble well
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:15-16 NIV
I think there are two types of suffering in this world. There is a suffering of consequences and a suffering of faith. Of the first kind, there are consequences for infractions of the law, for being a busy-body and for our sin. But of the latter, an affiliation because of Christ, those troubles carry a regal glory that we should be proud to endure. It is possible (or I should say certain) that we will face a similar persecution as that of our Lord Jesus and the saints. If you have to suffer, and my guess is that you will, then choose wisely. I would rather share in the type of suffering that has the crown of eternal life than to suffer the consequences of pitiable behavior and poor choices.
I think it is a sad and immature thing to see all afflictions as punishment. There are times in life where God desires to reveal His mind and heart to us. And the truth is that sometimes we will not be capable of hearing and seeing without the burden. But even more so, I think God may use us in those difficult times to reveal Himself to the world. And I think that is the type of suffering that comes with a crown. If I have to suffer, I'd rather my afflictions carry a godly purpose and bring glory to God.
Jesus suffered and it reconciled man to God. If we endure the troubles that God has allowed with grace and understanding, we may reveal Christ to those around us. There is no shame in suffering for the cross of Christ. That is a reason for praise!
If we share in Christ's suffering, then we share in his glory too (Romans 8:7)!
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:15-16 NIV
I think there are two types of suffering in this world. There is a suffering of consequences and a suffering of faith. Of the first kind, there are consequences for infractions of the law, for being a busy-body and for our sin. But of the latter, an affiliation because of Christ, those troubles carry a regal glory that we should be proud to endure. It is possible (or I should say certain) that we will face a similar persecution as that of our Lord Jesus and the saints. If you have to suffer, and my guess is that you will, then choose wisely. I would rather share in the type of suffering that has the crown of eternal life than to suffer the consequences of pitiable behavior and poor choices.
I think it is a sad and immature thing to see all afflictions as punishment. There are times in life where God desires to reveal His mind and heart to us. And the truth is that sometimes we will not be capable of hearing and seeing without the burden. But even more so, I think God may use us in those difficult times to reveal Himself to the world. And I think that is the type of suffering that comes with a crown. If I have to suffer, I'd rather my afflictions carry a godly purpose and bring glory to God.
Jesus suffered and it reconciled man to God. If we endure the troubles that God has allowed with grace and understanding, we may reveal Christ to those around us. There is no shame in suffering for the cross of Christ. That is a reason for praise!
If we share in Christ's suffering, then we share in his glory too (Romans 8:7)!
Friday, September 13, 2013
God’s Remnant
In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people. Isaiah 11:11 NIV
A good piece of fabric may be cut out of a used garment and retained in order to patch old clothing. Some people use several fabric remnants in order to create a quilt. And God does the same thing with His people. When disaster strikes and the whole may seem useless, He cuts away the fragments that can be reused. Then He combines the remnants to create something practical, artistic and beautiful.
In the Old Testament, the Nation of Israel was taken into captivity as a punishment for their disobedience. But God promised to protect those that continued to keep His commands. Through this I see that following God has never been about avoiding trouble, but about continuing to share the good news while you are in difficult circumstances. Maybe real faith never really takes hold until it is tested by disappointment and trials. And when the pain comes, we find out if we were faking it, or if we are God’s remnant.
God’s remnant people do not get a chance to see the whole tapestry. We can’t see the entirety of the Father’s patchwork. We can see just enough to trust God. Right now, all we can see is the backside of God’s quilt-work. We see the loose string and the various stitches that hold us together. But a day is coming when we will be able to see the other side. Eventually God will show us the whole of His beautiful handy-work. And my guess is that once we see the entirety of His work, we will say that the trouble was worth it.
In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people. Isaiah 11:11 NIV
A good piece of fabric may be cut out of a used garment and retained in order to patch old clothing. Some people use several fabric remnants in order to create a quilt. And God does the same thing with His people. When disaster strikes and the whole may seem useless, He cuts away the fragments that can be reused. Then He combines the remnants to create something practical, artistic and beautiful.
In the Old Testament, the Nation of Israel was taken into captivity as a punishment for their disobedience. But God promised to protect those that continued to keep His commands. Through this I see that following God has never been about avoiding trouble, but about continuing to share the good news while you are in difficult circumstances. Maybe real faith never really takes hold until it is tested by disappointment and trials. And when the pain comes, we find out if we were faking it, or if we are God’s remnant.
God’s remnant people do not get a chance to see the whole tapestry. We can’t see the entirety of the Father’s patchwork. We can see just enough to trust God. Right now, all we can see is the backside of God’s quilt-work. We see the loose string and the various stitches that hold us together. But a day is coming when we will be able to see the other side. Eventually God will show us the whole of His beautiful handy-work. And my guess is that once we see the entirety of His work, we will say that the trouble was worth it.
Friday, September 6, 2013
If they hate us, things are in order
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:18-19 NIV
I read that anti-Christian sentiment has been on the increase around the world. In Ivory Coast (country in West Africa) Muslims have murdered no less than 1000 Christians. I also remember reading that in 2010 groups of people in India were murdered for faith in Jesus. I recall reading about two women imprisoned in Tehran for refusing to renounce their faith in Christ. And in the US, there is so much negativity surrounding Christianity that even the simple act of public prayer, is in some cases, illegal. I think the Bible tells us where all of this anti Christian sentiment will peak. "A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God" (John 16:2).
If the world hates us, then things are in order. Or you could say that if you are humbly following God and getting in trouble for it, then you are probably doing it right. When people hear the truth of Christ, they are confronted with their own eternity. To one group of people we believers are the smell of impending judgment. And to others, the ones looking for God, we are the sweet smell of salvation (2 Corinthians 2:16).
Though the world may hate you for your faith, I ask you to remember what your salvation costs and what you have to gain by following Christ. Jesus says that he will be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20). Whoever finds his life will loose it and whoever looses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 10:39). Hold on till the very end so that you can receive the crown of life (James 1:12). We may suffer at the hands of those that can destroy our bodies. But we are held up by the nail scarred hands that have saved our souls.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:18-19 NIV
I read that anti-Christian sentiment has been on the increase around the world. In Ivory Coast (country in West Africa) Muslims have murdered no less than 1000 Christians. I also remember reading that in 2010 groups of people in India were murdered for faith in Jesus. I recall reading about two women imprisoned in Tehran for refusing to renounce their faith in Christ. And in the US, there is so much negativity surrounding Christianity that even the simple act of public prayer, is in some cases, illegal. I think the Bible tells us where all of this anti Christian sentiment will peak. "A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God" (John 16:2).
If the world hates us, then things are in order. Or you could say that if you are humbly following God and getting in trouble for it, then you are probably doing it right. When people hear the truth of Christ, they are confronted with their own eternity. To one group of people we believers are the smell of impending judgment. And to others, the ones looking for God, we are the sweet smell of salvation (2 Corinthians 2:16).
Though the world may hate you for your faith, I ask you to remember what your salvation costs and what you have to gain by following Christ. Jesus says that he will be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20). Whoever finds his life will loose it and whoever looses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 10:39). Hold on till the very end so that you can receive the crown of life (James 1:12). We may suffer at the hands of those that can destroy our bodies. But we are held up by the nail scarred hands that have saved our souls.
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