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For God So Loved...
I find myself in a most interesting place…looking at Christians through the eyes of one whose had a chance to step back. Now, I finally get it. I understand the hostility and anger that non-Christians feel and exhibit towards Christians….and I am a Christian. Why do we expect them to hear what we have to say when how we treat each other is deplorable? There was a character on Charlie Brown who when he spoke, the words came out sounding muffled and no one could understand what he was saying. This is how others view Christians. We are full of talk, but our lives do not match the words that come out of our mouths. Even God in His word warned us that it is not through our constant talking that will win anyone over…instead it is our character and love we show for one another that causes others to take notice and want to be a part of who we are. That is the defining difference.
Bragging about how much time you spend reading the Scriptures or singing praises unto the Lord does not make a person appear as holy as they might think. Instead, those very actions make them appear pious, judgmental and hypocritical, especially when in the next breath you stab your brother in the back, or allow yourself to be an instrument used of the devil to try and stop the plan of God for someone else’s life, or when you just barely out of your own sin, have the audacity to judge another who is still in bondage. Have you forgotten that quickly how far He’s brought you from?
Salvation was never meant to be a tool we could use to set ourselves apart from others as if we are somehow better than they. No, salvation was supposed to keep us in constant remembrance that we were not worthy and it was only through the loving sacrifice of a perfect savior that we even stood a chance. So how have we forgotten this? How do we look at others who have not received the blessed hope and condemn them or toot our noses up at them as if salvation was ‘for us four and no more’? We have so much more to learn.
It is not the person who is beaten down with a message of hell fire and damnation that typically comes into the kingdom of God. No, quite the contrary. It is the one who takes the time to remind someone who is downtrodden that Jesus does love them and that He has an amazing plan for their lives, whose heart becomes open to receive the gift of salvation that He gave to us all.
It’s time for a corporate heart check. If the words of a man are ringing louder in your ear than the voice of the Holy Spirit, it’s time to reevaluate. If receiving the abundant life that was promised is more important than having a relationship with the gift giver, it’s time to reflect. If the holiest person in your life is you, it’s time for some balance. If the words coming out of your mouth are meant to make others feel that you are somehow more holy than they, it’s time to repent and ask God to help you be humble.
Salvation is for everyone. Sometimes the only sermon that will ever be preached to someone is the way you live your life. People are always watching. And before words are carelessly and callously thrown around in the hopes of ‘putting someone in their place’, it’s time for a heart check. I am no exception to any of this.
For God so loved the world that He gave…. John 3:16
Changing lives one word at a time...Tumika Patrice Cain
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Changing lives one word at a time...Tumika Patrice Cain
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Tumika Patrice Cain is an award-winning author, media personality,
and motivational speaker. Through her imprint, Inkscriptions Publishing &
Media Group, she provides high quality, affordable, mentor-based publishing
services to indie authors, as well as inspired, empowering messages of hope and
abundance through her media outlets. Her works can be found in many
publications, including Fresh Lifestyle Magazine. To learn more about Tumika,
her books, and her services visit the following websites. http://www.TumikaPatrice.com
and http://www.InkscriptionsPMG.com
