I was going to continue the series on marriage, but I feel a strong direction from the Father to touch on this subject with so much going on in the world today.
What is a Christian? That like so many other terms has lost its original meaning.
The true gospel is not being preached today, and is a huge reason for false converts. People believe they are saved but a short time passes and they are back to their old ways.
Mark 4:3-8 The Parable of the Sower
"Listen! A farmer went out to sow seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on the rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times."
Where does your life fall in this parable? Are you the seed on the path; where as soon as you heard the word Satan swooped in and pulled you away? Are you the seed sown on a rocky place; where when you hear the word you are filled with great joy, but since there is no root your joy only lasts for a short time? When trouble or persecution arises you quickly fall away. Are you the seeds among the thorns; where you hear the word but the worries of life, the pursuit of wealth and the desires of other things come in and choke the word making it unfruitful? Or are you the seed that fell on good soil; where you hear the word, you accept it, and it produces wonderful things in your life and the ones you share with a hundred times over?
Examine yourself and see where you are in life. A true Christian dies to self daily and by showing the light of Christ, profoundly affects other peoples lives for Christ. You can tell by the fruit they produce.
With so many celebrities and politicians saying they are a Christian, people's perception of what a Christian is has became very a skewed. We are told just be a good person and you will go to heaven. There is no longer a need for personal responsibility, or need for repentance of our sins.
John 14:6- Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Luke 14:25-26- Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be my disciple.
Can you imagine you've followed him for miles just to hear him speak and he says this. Many of them were probably thinking this guy is crazy! What he is saying is your love for God has to supersede the love you have for anyone else. Once you have that love and devotion to God, then the love you show to all the others will be raised to that level.
Luke 9:23- And he was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Everyday we must lower ourselves, take up our cross of humility and servitude to all those around us. It is pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.
Matthew 7:13-14- Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, in 2010 there were 2.18 billion Christians around the world, nearly a third of the global population.
2.18 Billion does not sound like a few. Many of these people are actually lost following wolves in sheep's clothing, carrying them down a path of destruction.
People I urge you examine your lives. Are you denying self daily? Are you showing a Christlike love to those around you? Is your love for God greater than anything around you?
Do not follow the pattern of a Christian based on celebrities, politicians,or pastors that put more importance on self and financial gain instead of repentance and self denial.
Strive daily to be more Christlike, so on that day you can stand before Yahewh and hear him say "Come my good and faithful servant. Enter your just reward."
UPDATE!!!!- We continue to get donations in for the backpack mission. Thank you for all that have donated. I was contacted by a man named Charles, who lives in Canada. He came across this blog and was moved to start a backpack mission where he lives just outside of Toronto. He wanted to direct any he talked to to this blog. Praise God!!!!! His will is being completed all over the world!
Thank You May You Be Blessed with Peace and Understanding.
True Change Ministries
