I had a preacher in Glendive who had a favorite theme for his sermons, "If you were arrested as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
That's is a provocative statement because as Christians, we are not only called to be disciples (followers) but also apostles (witnesses) of Jesus. Notice the difference? One is passive, one is active.
Last night, Belinda and I went to the movie "Fireproof", starring Kirk Cameron as a firefighter whose marriage was definitely on the rocks and the storm was fierce. There seemed to be no way out other than divorce. Then his parents stepped in, especially, his father.
As you can guess, by the end of the movie, the marriage was healed. But to get from the rocky start to the happy ending is worth the price of admission, because the movie clearly shows the role that God should be playing in our lives and in our marriage. This is no small feat in a fast-paced movie with plenty of action (fires, car crashes, etc.) along with faith-based teaching.
The movie centers around a 40-day program that the dad gives to his son. The program is called the "Love Dare" and its Biblically based. About halfway through the journey, the character played by Kirk Cameron surrenders his life to Jesus.
But enough of the movie, how about us? Going back to the original premise of being arrested as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us? Would we willing to open up to others about our faith just as the father did in this movie?
I can't answer that question for you...only you can. I've thought about this a lot since last night. Hopefully, the answer is yes, but there is always something that Holy Spirit is asking us to do. Are we saying "yes" and are we growing in our faith? Or are we ignoring the requests and simply getting by? Are we passive or active?
Do we tell others about our faith with words and deeds or are we content that "Jesus knows, and that's enough." Like the children's Sunday School song implores, let's not hide our light under a bushel, but let it shine, shine, shine.
Recipe - Aunt May's Famous Wheatcakes
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Now Playing - Forever Young by Alphaville RECIPE: MAY PARKER'S FAMOUS
WHEATCAKES Originally made by my pal Pete's Aunt May, these wheatcakes are
a great...
10 years ago
1 comment:
Great blog Uncle Steve!"I Love to Tell the Story",remember that song?I have tried to make that the theme song of my life.As You know I've derailed a time or two.Even then, I knew the Way and shared it with whomever I could.Lately, I have added alot more explaining and defending what the Word "really" says.I believe todays church has strayed from what Jesus intended and got religious again.Remember the chief priests in Jesus time were all caught up in the church rules.Uncle Vern was scolded,by the Preacher, for mowing the church lawn one Sunday.I don’t think Vern ever returned.Just one of many examples I’ve heard over the years.I find One thing missing is Love and Love seems to have been replaced by Money,.I also find reading the Bible and letting it speak is replaced by someone's opinion from the pulpit or in a book.That's just easier.It is what I call the blind leading the blind.Even if it's a great author or preacher every word should be checked.Thats what they did in the church according to the book of Acts. "They Will Know We
Are Christians by our Love".?Sorry but I can't tell the differance between churchy people and the bar crowd anymore.However the bar crowd is not as likely to argue when told about ones faith in God.A Real Christian, as I see it,is just darn happy He or She has been forgiven.I don't know about you but,I am.No-one is less guilty.I've spent time with a bunch or several bunches who were more than happy to point out the "Sinners"in the town.It turned out the pointers were the meanest folks I ever met.I worked with them daily and on Sunday their transformatiom was amazing.It reminded me of fantasy Island.You know,”Smiles everyone Smiles”!The thing was they had Money and thus figured they were blessed and of God."You shall know them by their fruits"Consider me Just a Fruit Inspector.Jesus is still the Truth,the Life,and the Way,but I believe He would be so busy tipping over money changers tables today,He would have little time to talk.The last time I went to church people were selling what seemed to be one hundred different stacks of books.In Jesus's words,"you have turned My Fathers House into a den of thieves".Lately I have spent years becoming a credible witness to my friends.I find Compassion to be a key,the way we live opens the door. Most people want to know the truth about why we are different.I know do.I wouldn’t be arrested for acting religious.I would rather be with the sinners.But when given the chance to talk about Jesus,His love and Compasion for the whole world.I’m guilty as charged.The Holy Spirit does the rest.
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