There are so many different views on Christianity today. Even Christians have different views on how Christians should act. Too radical? Not radical enough? All love? Too much love? Speak only of sin or never open your mouth about it? Pursue people or just live a good life? Read the bible daily, or is it really that important? It is confusing and dividing and often painful, to be honest. Truthfully- though I promise I'm working on it- I haven't even read the entire bible yet. I'm not that wise and right now am in no position of authority... but I do know Jesus. I know Him as Judge and Ruler and King and LORD and Savior and Defender and my hope, healer and lover- all in one breath. And so, as I sit in church pews or hang out with other Christians, my heart hurts and sometimes I actually get tears in my eyes, because- all debates aside-I don't believe we're living the way that The LORD's people are meant to live. Amen- we are sinful and flawed and really, really messed up, so we will often break things and really, really mess things up. But I don't think that's an excuse... do you? In the bible I read, I read about a man named Jesus. He spoke about sin and wrath and judgement and hell. He spoke of history and the future and He told people that they could never, not ever, be perfect on their own. And then, after 33 years, He was hung on a cross. He was hung on a cross was we wouldn't have to be. He was beaten, bloodied and bruised for all of our mistakes. He took the judgement we deserved and freely gave us the prize of His perfect, sinless life- a ticket into heaven. He did what we could never do and saved us from the most painful thing our souls would ever have to endure- separation from our Creator. Hell. Punishment.That's the Jesus I read about. The One that promises us new life, a clean slate, forgiveness for we who believe in Him and what He did. For we who love Him. That's the gospel and it is the center of the Christian life- Amen?
If this is true, if this is the center of the Christian life and if we who believe in Him have this new life... then what is wrong with us? Friend, I am not judging you or condemning you, but my heart IS indeed breaking for you. I know so many Christians who keep their mouth shut about Jesus. I don't get it. I can't understand why we would want to keep such a thing to ourselves. I don't mean you need to do a crusade in the middle of your town or tattoo bible verses on your forehead... I understand that sometimes we need to be quiet and shut our mouths and let The LORD move. But there's gotta be something wrong if the people around us and the people we know haven't heard about Jesus. I mean, isn't there? Of He has saved you and He has redeemed you and He has given you new life... And if scripture says He ought to be the center of everything- then shouldn't He be? If He's forgiven you and called you His own then how dare you sit down and keep your mouth shut about Him. If people around you don't know about Him then let me assure you of this, as uncomfortable and sad as it may be- they are lost and they are on a path straight to hell. Even Christians like to beat around the bush with this, but we cannot avoid the truth. Their acts don't matter. Their grades and what kind of car they have doesn't matter. Do they or do they not know Jesus. If the answer is no then surely they are broken. Our souls were made with a God-shaped hole and if we do not know Him then we will never be whole. Thousands of people daily are going into an eternity in hell. We don't like to think about it or speak about it- but it's true. It's real.
However, for us who know The LORD, we've been saved! By grace, through faith. And we are NOT on that path any more. We've been ripped off it by the cross of our sweet savior. No punishment will touch us. We've got nothing to fear any more. We get the Holy Spirit and the word Christian (accepted) stamped on our souls! What grace! What a miracle!
So what are you going to do? Keep quiet? That just doesn't make sense to me, beloved. Jesus is too good. The cross is too much. We are too blessed. Redemption and forgiveness and grace and freedom are yours. Why would you ever keep quiet about such a thing? I long- oh, I so, so long- to look around and see every Christian seeking the lost in this world. Along with our new life comes the privilege of being an ambassador for Christ. Along with our new life must come this desire to go out into the world and speak. Please, brothers and sisters (and myself), let's stop being so quiet and fearful about a loud, roaring Savior. He deserves to be spoken about. He deserves glory and honor. Let's give it to Him.
If this is true, if this is the center of the Christian life and if we who believe in Him have this new life... then what is wrong with us? Friend, I am not judging you or condemning you, but my heart IS indeed breaking for you. I know so many Christians who keep their mouth shut about Jesus. I don't get it. I can't understand why we would want to keep such a thing to ourselves. I don't mean you need to do a crusade in the middle of your town or tattoo bible verses on your forehead... I understand that sometimes we need to be quiet and shut our mouths and let The LORD move. But there's gotta be something wrong if the people around us and the people we know haven't heard about Jesus. I mean, isn't there? Of He has saved you and He has redeemed you and He has given you new life... And if scripture says He ought to be the center of everything- then shouldn't He be? If He's forgiven you and called you His own then how dare you sit down and keep your mouth shut about Him. If people around you don't know about Him then let me assure you of this, as uncomfortable and sad as it may be- they are lost and they are on a path straight to hell. Even Christians like to beat around the bush with this, but we cannot avoid the truth. Their acts don't matter. Their grades and what kind of car they have doesn't matter. Do they or do they not know Jesus. If the answer is no then surely they are broken. Our souls were made with a God-shaped hole and if we do not know Him then we will never be whole. Thousands of people daily are going into an eternity in hell. We don't like to think about it or speak about it- but it's true. It's real.
However, for us who know The LORD, we've been saved! By grace, through faith. And we are NOT on that path any more. We've been ripped off it by the cross of our sweet savior. No punishment will touch us. We've got nothing to fear any more. We get the Holy Spirit and the word Christian (accepted) stamped on our souls! What grace! What a miracle!
So what are you going to do? Keep quiet? That just doesn't make sense to me, beloved. Jesus is too good. The cross is too much. We are too blessed. Redemption and forgiveness and grace and freedom are yours. Why would you ever keep quiet about such a thing? I long- oh, I so, so long- to look around and see every Christian seeking the lost in this world. Along with our new life comes the privilege of being an ambassador for Christ. Along with our new life must come this desire to go out into the world and speak. Please, brothers and sisters (and myself), let's stop being so quiet and fearful about a loud, roaring Savior. He deserves to be spoken about. He deserves glory and honor. Let's give it to Him.