A Sunday Morning Kind of God......
I'm usually not one to speak doom and gloom. Even as an ordained reverend, I don't spend a lot of my time advising people of the actions that might both negatively impact their time here on earth, and also might cause them consternation when they finally go to meet their maker. I much rather prefer to demonstrate, hopefully by my own walk, the life altering, spiritually fulfilling, benefits of truly surrendering your life to God and trying to live as God requires.
Yet, I am so vexed by things that are happening today as we watch those of various denominations, who profess to be followers of Christ, but whose public lives seems to completely neglect and ignore Christian principles and concepts.
I know that I will take a hit, probably several hits, for this blog post, but so be it. I prayed. I was led and well, here goes just like it happened with my book on church hurt.
I know that we all fall short and none of us is good; just as the Bible says. I have to ask for God's forgiveness repeatedly throughout the day. But there is a huge difference between "not being good," and intentionally and purposely committing acts that are unquestionably evil or that have the result of persecuting others.
I'm not naive. I have worked at various levels of local, state and federal government; even within the highest levels of the political arena, serving as press secretary for a successful, national presidential campaign. I'm aware that tough decision must be made on a daily basis, and that none of those decisions will be popular to all of the people at any time. But I am also aware that as individuals we must make tough decisions about what we will and what we won't do for a job, financial security, love or whatever else we deem important. As Christians we are called to measure our actions against our beliefs, and strive to demonstrate what those beliefs require our lives to look like.
There are 2.2 billion professed Christians in the world; Christianity is by far the worlds largest religion. Yet, I am constantly amazed when a profession of faith and belief, falls from the lips of individuals who visibly choose to abuse and belittle others, sew discord and contempt among brethren, lie, cheat, and behave in a boastful and proud manner, and completely disregard the love that we are called to demonstrate.
Indeed it is a process, one that we walk out our entire lives. No I am not perfect; there are things I have said and done, as recent as today, that I will forever regret and seek forgiveness for. But I also know that the taste of my fruit is becoming sweeter as I daily commune with God, attempt to serve as I am led to serve, and slowly learn to yield my will in favor of God's will for my life.
If you are struggling because the person that you see operating throughout the day looks nothing life what God has called us to be, I challenge you to carry this verse, or any one that speaks to you and can correctly order your steps, with you daily for reference.
God wants all of us; not just our Sunday mornings.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." Ephesians 4:2:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." 1 Peter 4:8:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
