With Easter approaching this weekend I am reminded how Jesus came to this earth and died for me, and for you. The gift of everlasting life awaits us all if only we will believe. In just a few days, many years ago, he suffered a horrific unimaginable death and rose again... for me, and for you. If you aren't already, it is time to start living for Jesus. Many claim to be Christians but their actions do not follow suit. There is a difference between being a Christian and being Christ-Like. What??? Yep, many claim to be Christians but do not act Christ-Like. This is something that Eric and I have been talking about a lot lately. Many claim to be Christian, but there is more to it than making this verbal statement. This is something I feel God has been whispering in my ear lately, so yes, I AM going there. I happened along this blog a few days ago alwayspeachy.com and then within about a minute found this blog post... The DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Being CHRISTIAN And CHRIST-LIKE. Coincidence? Nope, no coincidences here. God put that in my path. He knew this blogger did a good job of explaining the difference and that he could use me and my blog to share that difference with many of you too. So, take a minute or two and click on the blog title and read what blogger A.C. Williams has to say about The DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Being CHRISTIAN And CHRIST-LIKE.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
God got a hold of me one day a few years ago. He whispered in my ear. He convicted me. He commanded me. He showed up and He keeps showing up. (Thank you, God!)
I was lead to a rough road. Christian? Or Christ-Like?
People, your friends, and even your family, will not agree with you. They will not want to listen to you. It will be frustrating. They will shut you off and even out. It will be heart-breaking. It will make you feel bad, gut wrenching bad. I know, I HAVE BEEN THERE. But here's what I know... One day when I was praying, pouring my heart out to God, He spoke to me. Yes, you heard me. And, I heard Him. He told me, go, "Tell them about Me". After I realized that I was not crazy, that God actually DID talk to me, I wondered how do I do this? See, this is where the hard part started for me. I hit a wall. A wall of discouragement, a wall of hostility, a wall of weakness and loss of words, a wall of bad-timing, a wall of unreceptiveness and shame. A wall that I did not know how to get around or over. I didn't know what to do. I want to be in Heaven someday with Jesus and I want my loved ones, and friends, and you to be there too. It made me sad and terrified to think of going to someplace for eternity without doing all I could to get these people there too. But what could I do? So in prayer, I asked God, and, then he spoke to me AGAIN, and He told me simply, "Show them". That's right folks, there it was, "SHOW THEM". Show them in my actions. Show them in the way that I talk. Show them in how I act and how I raise my children. Show them by how I treat and respect my husband. Show them by doing the right thing. Show them when I am out in public and in my own home. Show them in how I dress. Show them in conversations and in daily encounters. Show them in the big areas of my life and the little corners.
I was told by God Himself to act Christ-Like.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"Becoming Christ-Like is a process." (A.C. Williams) Yes, it is! For each one of us. And here is the thing, we WILL ALL mess up. We WILL ALL fall short. We are NOT perfect. And we NEVER will be perfect. But, God already knew that. And, that my friends, is why he sent his Son, Jesus, for US! So that we may be forgiven, over and over in our lives. God's grace, His amazing grace, runs abundant!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
That is why every morning, when I hear my husband ask our children, "Who are you going to live for today?" And I hear their little voices reply to their Daddy, "Jesus!" I will be reminded of when God spoke to me, "Show Them", and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I have in my life to "live for Jesus", and for his grace and forgiveness on the days I fall short.
"Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words." -St. Francis of Assisi
And finally, someday when my eyes close for the last time on this earth that we know, they will open again and I will see Heaven and Jesus, (and my Grandma). And, that my friends, is something to sing, shout, smile, and cry happy tears about! Thank you, Jesus, for what you endured and did for me!
"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5
"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth."
Job 19:25
The BEST PROOF that Christ has risen and that He is STILL ALIVE is through our actions, our Christ-Likeness.
So tell me, Who are YOU living for today?
No comments:
Post a Comment