The other day I was chosen after a short interview, to give my opinion on a Christian radio station I listen to. The subject was on why do you think more and more people are getting turned off from going to church, or even entering into a relationship with Jesus.
I jumped all over this one, because I personally had an experience with this when I just began my relationship with Jesus. It was all over a belly button ring I had. This church member who found out I had it said to me, “I thought so much more of you.” I said to him, “I may have a hole in my belly button, but my heart is whole for my Jesus who doesn’t judge me for this.” I knew that the enemy will use anyone to turn me away, yes even the church people. We as Christians, and followers of Jesus Christ, need to really watch our words. Still, once a person has heard the truth, they are responsible for continuing in growing in this relationship and wisdom with Jesus. Just like you would do in your own marriage. INVEST TIME to grow close!
The lyrics of this song describe what I feel is happening today…… “Words can build you up, words can break you down. Start a fire in your heart, or put it out. Let my words be life, let my words be truth. I don’t wanna say a word unless it points the world to you.”
My opinion is that too many Christians are pointing the finger rather than loving the sinner right where they are at. When asked a question, speak the truth in love. Don’t ever hold back the word of God that can set a person free. I thank God that He sent His servants my way who were attractive in Spirit. Loving, kind, gentle, compassionate, non judgmental. Loving me right where I was at, and speaking the truth to me when I asked. I would always take what they told me, and search the scripture they gave me. They were always the voice of God’s grace, not fire and brimstone. You can’t scare a person into repentance. But you can be more like Jesus, and love them into it.
None of us knows what a person has gone through in their life. So we need to be very careful and gentle with people God sends our way. I count it a great honor to serve God, and “the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13: 13. God knows the proper time He is going to present Himself to someone, and may be using me to do it. I’ve learned to wait on that feeling within my spirit, because it won’t go wrong if I do. The approach can make all the difference in the world to that person. I believe in coming with Jesus and how He humbled Himself, and died for our sins Philippians 2: 8. I don’t believe in coming at them with fire and brimstone. When you describe the love of Jesus, it has a greater tendency to humble people and make them aware of their need of Him. Once the truth is presented to a person, they are responsible for what they do with Jesus. Jesus never forced Himself on anyone, so don’t cram it down their throat.
We do have to realize that God doesn’t take sin lightly. Jesus paid a high price for our freedom. Acts 3: 19 “Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” Romans 8: 13 “Living according to our sinful nature leads to death.”
Jesus took me, and still died for me with all my failures. He loved me right where I was at. Why should we be any different with people. I have friends, and family members who are gay, have tattoos, piercings, live together with their boyfriend or girlfriend, and so on….. These things never stop Jesus from loving them, not the sin.
We have to make a personal choice on what Jesus meant when He said, John 14: 23 “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
I made a personal choice to love Jesus with all my heart, and be guided by Him on how to treat the lost. Our words can lift their hearts to places they’ve never been, or drag them down back to where they began.
Let my words be life, but without compromising the truth of God’s word.
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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