Saturday, April 9, 2011

I don't know if it was Twitter, Facebook ...or some other profile or blog that I read, but it simply stated: I love Grandma and I love Jesus!   Now, stating that you love Jesus, is that more than listing yourself as a Christian?  Observing that he has a thousand friends ...I guess that would be Facebook.   That's a lot of people to witness to that you are a Christian.   As I read on, I see he's a fan of a wild-eyed Ozzy.  Okay, maybe he wasn't wild-eyed ...maybe he just looked that way. I don't like to unrighteously judge anyone.   Perhaps something happened to his eyes that day ...perhaps an accident.   Perhaps he got something in his eyes ...like juice, from a bat he bit the head off of.   Then the favorite TV show is Beavis and Butthead.   I think of Philippians 4:8, which states:  "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."   I know the reference is not: "truly and purely ridiculous".  But maybe I'm missing something ...no, I know I'm missing something!   I read further, past the stated associations ...to what the person says.  I believe what a person says, should reflect something about the person ...and since we all make mistakes, I think it's fine if we later feel obliged to correct those not well thought out public statements.   I am pleased to see that this "Christian" does not use the Lord's Name in any less than respectful manner ...though there is much cursing and profanity in the choice words used.   Now, this is actual on-line witnessing ...witnessing to those 1,000 friends.   So, I'm confused, not about any foundational beliefs, but with the reconciling aspects of it.   We know Jesus reconciled everything ...Jesus covered our debt.   What I'm trying to do, is reconcile the thinking ...this is not judging; I'm just trying to understand.   I know it's not like having a Jesus credit card, where I can flash it ..."I'm covered".   I'm trying to understand where the love of Jesus is ...where I'm glorifying His character in what I do and say ...and the love of His Word, with my words ...being a witness to what He said, and what His apostles said while they were filled with the Holy Spirit ...continuing to speak God's Word, as Jesus returned to Heaven.   We all have our moments where we fall away from God ...and He will work to draw us back to Him.  What really scares me is whether we could so thoroughly move away from Him that we would not be drawn back (because we are so out-of-touch, not because He no longer wants to touch our heart) ...or is it that we really had never accepted Him in the first place?  Had we only joined the intrigue, to show that we are a part of the "program"?   In the Book of Acts, the report of the acts of what the apostles did, it is said that they, standing as servants of the Lord, requested that they be granted the "boldness" to speak His Word, and to be able to perform signs and wonders and healings, in the Name of Jesus.   I get a beautiful picture in my mind as I read how the place was shaken when they were assembled.   I think of the programs presented at our various gatherings together ...whether it be the packed stadiums of big name musicians, sporting events, or protest rallies.   But they had gathered together to pray ...and it is said that the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart and of one soul.   But Ananias and Sapphira, seeing the "program", decided to join in doing what others were doing, but by not really doing the same.   It appears they were doing the things that the Holy Spirit had compelled other to do, but doing it in part only, and to exalt themselves, not to the glory of God.   I admit that I don't often glorify God with my acts ...so what makes the discerning difference here?   Is it in my admitting it, that makes the difference?   I do sincerely try to do better.   Is it that through my own admission that I don't elevate myself in the eyes of others ...to make myself look good?   Or am I better to admit with "boldness" that I am part of all these ...how can I say it, or would I say it; that part of these things, that I know are not of God, are so very much a part of me.  Do I brush it off, by saying, "God knows how I am"?   And with this statement, do I hold the Jesus card to show "I'm covered"? ...with little effort to change, or improve my relationship with Him?   My wallet is filled with so many membership cards, I am uncertain which one I will pull out at any given time.   All these thoughts travel through my mind, as I wonder at what time we will reach the point when we will only know Jesus by name.   I have just read Matthew 7:21-23, and am now reading Luke 13: 10-27, where some religious protocol was challenging Jesus, favoring their own program.   Jesus didn't invite them to come, and sin no more ...Jesus said to them, "...I never knew you; depart from me ......"

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