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christian
Christian v. christian?
Do you sometimes find it a struggle to be a Christian and a good friend or member of a not quite so Christian family or circle? Or the larger classes of non-Christians? Let’s face it, there are Christians and then there are christians. The first is a bold upper case, proper noun, where following Jesus is the primary principle of life. The lower case version reflects a believer, good person but one where life is more often the higher priority over the strict following. Not to be misunderstood, I like both of these groups. In fact at times I am a member of both groups. Jesus understands how difficult it is to be His follower in all ways, but He still wants us to try and to continuously improve. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.” (Matthew 5:11 NLT). I’m not talking about being a full blown bible thumping, flashing a neon Jesus walking revivalist here, I’m referring to pursuing perfect character in an imperfect world. Christians aren’t Christians doing the work of our Lord if we only hang out with other Christians. Remember Jesus never met a Christian, he was born a Jew, of a family of Jews, studied with Jews and taught Jews. Maybe I should draw a distinction there by also qualifying that there are Jews as well as jews. Christianity is a by-product of His life and teachings, which are meant for virtually everyone.
While attempting to be a Christian it’s important to draw these distinctions but not to judge anyone based upon these very same distinctions. I’ve met enough people in my long life to know that I can never know anyone completely. Nor will anyone but God ever know me completely. I won’t be able to see the goodness in others except when in their presence. I won’t be able to understand their distractions, motivations or actions when their character apparently cracks or crinkles in my presence. I’ll never get the big picture of anyone, so judgement is not mine to render. Yet, I struggle with the inner turmoil, of knowing how narrow the gate to heaven is, how unlikely squeezing a camel through the eye of a needle is, how important the “C” versus “c” distinction is. What are we to do? “If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:47,48 NLT). We must strive to be better examples of Christianity!
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
One Perfect Father
Reading the bible from cover to cover, tells the story of an extraordinary Father, who’s quiet strength and wisdom might otherwise have remained an unsolved mystery during our lives. Many of us have read at least one good biography in our lives, as most schools require such reading. The bible however is different than a biography. It does not tell us God’s origins, except to say that He always was and always will be. It doesn’t explain His seemingly elusive… read more
Who Is This?
At the risk of sounding a bit too preachy, this is the short answer to perhaps the most often asked question throughout history.
The Days After
Most of us have heard the term Monday-morning-quarterback. It’s a sarcastic reference to believing we have all the answers the day after we needed them. When the event has passed and we still don ‘t know what happened, it’s pretty obvious that we don’t care or just haven’t been paying attention. For most things in life that’s probably ok, but for other things it’s simply naive.
Timelessness
Timelessness doesn’t mean outside of time, it means unaffected by time, ageless. God doesn’t travel through time, He exists in and beyond all time. Existing in only one space at one time is a human limitation. The more puzzle pieces that we find and assemble, the more complete the picture of God and heaven becomes.
Relational Expectations
God is all about love and peace. Although wars result from our very human sins of greed, anger, hatred, revenge, expectations and political independence, these are not the ways and wars of God. David used his gifts to serve God, but then he tried to do more, something that was not in God’s plan for him.
Listen To Him!
“Listen to Him” will ask you to really think. Have you ever wondered why God, the creator of everything, who loves people, only “had” one son? … So why then, did God, while referring to Jesus say, “This is my son, whom I have chosen…”? Chosen from whom, where or what? Any choice requires more than one option.
3 Steps Closer to God
Lot’s of people pray for years, even lifetimes, hoping to “hear” God’s “voice” in reply. After some time, they begin to believe that either they are; screwing up badly or that everyone who says that God speaks to them is a liar or nuts or even that God doesn’t exist or maybe just refuses to acknowledge them! There are several problems at work here.
One Yes Vote!
One practical point should be carefully considered about the bible. Any book of history, spanning over 5,000 years, with it’s last entry made nearly 2,000 years ago necessarily covers events, rituals, practices, societal beliefs and attitudes which are completely alien from our current perspectives. To dismiss the bible for that reason, would also entail the wholesale disposal of all recorded history.
Embracing Change
Change will always be a thorn in our sandals. We take comfort in knowing what we believe tomorrow will bring and we conveniently deny the obvious fact that we simply can’t control the big changes. We can moderate this, by orchestrating some variety in our lives, with the intention of reaching out toward whatever God is holding for us. We do this while lessening our grip on that and those with whom we have grown so comfortable.
Copyright 2010 4 Natural Reflections, LLC