How do I?
Good morning brothers and sisters. I know that I have not been writing for a few days but I needed some time to get my head on straight. Really, too much going on. But I have been asking God how do I act as a Christian? How do I act as a Christ-follower? And He led me to Romans 12:9-21. It lays it out pretty simple and straight forward. But my next question is was this- is this how Christians act? And God quickly responded with "I don't need for you to worry about others, I need you to focus on you. All others will see you acting in the way that I command and learn." What else could I say? So let's take a look at this together. 9- Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. This first word tells me it is something that I have to do. LET. I have to allow love. 10- Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love in honor giving preference to one another. I have to be affectionate. So what is affectionate? It is the outward sign of love, not just words. I love you means nothing without the actions. So that is what I am suppose to do, show it outward. 11- not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12-rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing in steadfastly in prayer, 13-distributing to the needs of the saints, given in hospitality. Look at all those action words- not lagging, fervent, serving, rejoicing, patient, prayer, distributing, given. Those words are things we all do not just say. We have to actively do these things. And it doesn't just say to the people we like. 14- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Oh, this verse is a hard one but you notice it is in how we are suppose to act. Even when God removes them, we bless them. 15- Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. There is a time to rejoice and a time to weep. 16- Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. This pretty much tells us not to think so highly of ourselves. Keep our thoughts and actions humble. 17- Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. No revenge for me. I have to repay the evil with good. And I promise you will see why in just a moment. 18- If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceable with all men. Now you notice it doesn't say that we will but we are to try to live peaceably with everyone. In this day, that is hard but we know with God all things are possible. SO we can do it if we rely on Him. 19- Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." says the Lord. It is ok to get mad and hurt for something someone has done to you. But do not let it seep into your heart. God will take care of it in His own time. We be mad, we give it to God and we move on. Here is why: 20- Therefore, If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head. See when someone does something wrong to you and you repay with good, it really confuses them and they really don't know how to handle it. And they make themselves look bad. And the last is really important for us. 21- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. See with all the evil that is going on in the world, do let it get you down, do something good. Look for the goodness of God and evil will flee. So are you following Christ? There is a whole lot of action words in there. And that means we better get busy. It seems pretty simple but it is hard. I know for me being Christ like is the single most hardest thing that I have ever done. Have a blessed day. Rise up child of God, rise up!