Many Christians
undermine the impact of the Lord Jesus Christ on the world. Their prejudices
and intolerance render them unable to accept others just as they are. These
tendencies highlight a marked difference between the Christ of the Bible and
the Christians of the world. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,
all of them no matter how great their sin. And the first thing he did in order
to save them was to accept them as they were without condemning their sinful
lifestyles. This acceptance is where many Christ followers stumble. They just
cannot accept a sinner without being bothered by his sin.
The prejudices of
Christians hurt Christ the most.
God has not
strengthened us so that we may condemn others and tell them that they are
wrong. No God has strengthened us so that we may bear with others and help them
realize their error by showing ourselves as loving and compassionate humans who
are ruled by the love of God.
What is the use of
your looking at me if I do not convey Christ to you? There was a time when I
wanted people to look at me for my own gratification. I wanted to be noticed
and praised. Today I have tasted the worthlessness of this pleasure. Nothing
that I have is mine. Even I do not belong to myself. Everything was given for a
purpose. I was bought at a price. Now I must only think of another - he who
gave all. He is Christ, my God and my Master. It is for his sake that I speak.
It is for his glory that I raise my voice. So if you look at me today may you
find Christ. And if you do not find Christ may you look elsewhere.
The Bible must be
quoted with care. It cannot be used to condemn anyone, as it is not the
business of Man to condemn anyone. We are here to build each other up and not
to put each other down. Our understanding of anything in this world and
especially in God's heaven is inadequate. Given the state of our knowledge and
our tendency to be judgemental we must stay away from pharisaical positions. I
have always stayed away from such positions. And my intent in being honest
about myself is not to inspire undeserved criticism but to glorify God who
loves honesty and sincerity.
Though my
circumstances may speak against me do not rush to judge me. All judgement is
reserved for a higher intelligence than what Man possesses. I have suffered. I
am in debt and I am in doubt. But even John the Baptist had his moment of
doubt. And many prophets have been in lack. So do not look at my sufferings and
say that I am suffering for my sins. I have sinned greatly but not against you.
My sins are against God and he has forgiven them. But I am suffering for
another reason. Anyone who knows Christ knows suffering. You cannot belong to
Christ without going through a certain suffering.
In these last six
years I have taken the love of God into the world. I have not done this alone.
I have done this with God. My whole life has been a preparation for this. And
to those who are not able to see what I have done with God in the last few
years, I have this to say: "Do not presume to know what I have experienced
and what I have done. You cannot know. Even I cannot know fully. But I know
this. A work has been done in me. Even I have been made to work to bring this
work out in full view of the world. So no one can say I have not worked. My
works testify to my work."
It is to God I have
asked a question in public. Though people may answer and though God's voice may
sometimes be heard in what people say, I shall wait for God's answer, his quiet
answer in my mind. He alone knows my heart. He alone has travelled with me on
this journey. He alone knows what I need.
Admit to God that
you are weak. And admit to the world that you are weak without God. When you
announce your weakness, the world may judge you. There is a price to paid for
honesty. Human beings may not always react well to honesty. But God is always
pleased with an honest person.
You can quote the
Bible and still not know the heart of God. You may know nothing of the Bible
and still know the heart of God. The heart of God is love, and his love is one
without expectations and restrictions.
That God forgives
all sins and loves all people is a fact that is hard to accept for some people.
Even some who call themselves the followers of God have a problem with God
showing grace to others even though they themselves have received the same
grace.
There are
Christians who hinder the preaching of the gospel. There is a Christian who is
trying to hinder my preaching of the gospel. It is a sad thing when the
so-called follower of Christ hinders the message of love. But this too shall
pass.
The message that
God loves the world must be conveyed. Everyone must know that God loves the
world. And this love is not attached to any expectation. No one has to be
anything to merit God's wonderful love. Anyone who tries to squeeze in a
message of justice and repentance along with the message of God's love is doing
a disservice to the incredible love of God.
You can read the
entire Bible and still miss the point.
No comments:
Post a Comment