I would like to say that I think that one of the marks of spiritual maturity is a willingness to sacrifice personal comforts in order to strengthen other believers. Over and over in the Scriptures Paul urges Christians to pursue only activities that promote peace and behavior that builds others up. Why is it then that many of us Christians pursue activities that tear others down, or that promote unrest and disorder, when we are outside of our churches?
" Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." Romans 14:19.
The definition of pursue is to passionately focus one's undistracted effort toward a goal. I do no think that this is a casual matter either. For us Christians, I believe that it involves using all the resources God has given us to ensure growth and peace in the life of other Christians. To the Colossians, Paul wrote about his own work: "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:28-29 NIV. Paul wrote that his work was to help others grow in the strength and peace of Christ. This took concentration and effort!
Paul is the example of how we are to be. He chose to edify other believers by refraining from any activity that would cause them to stumble! He did not worry himself with his own rights and comforts because he understood that his greatest priority, even over his personal freedom, was to lead others to Christian maturity. I believe that this is also how Jesus related to His disciples. He taught them that they could express no greater love than to lay down their life for one another. Can you imagine what the church, what Christianity would look like today if we continued in this teaching? Lives would be changed! Hopes would be encouraged! The church would be strengthened and hearts would be won in record numbers!
Friends, as Christians, I think that we should be so devoted to strengthening each other's faith that we would pursue this goal relentlessly, even if it means laying down our own lives! This is the behavior that characterized the early churches. This is the behavior today that characterises the church in other nations, and gives cause to other religions taking notice and persecuting them. This, I believe, is what love is like, and should be like among God's people! As God reveals to us what those around us need in order to grow their faith, we need to be prepared to sacrifice on behalf of our fellow Christians. Remember, to live is Christ, but to die is gain! The question is: WHAT ARE WE AFRAID OF WHEN WE KNOW GOD IS FOR HIS PEOPLE?
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
" Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." Romans 14:19.
The definition of pursue is to passionately focus one's undistracted effort toward a goal. I do no think that this is a casual matter either. For us Christians, I believe that it involves using all the resources God has given us to ensure growth and peace in the life of other Christians. To the Colossians, Paul wrote about his own work: "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:28-29 NIV. Paul wrote that his work was to help others grow in the strength and peace of Christ. This took concentration and effort!
Paul is the example of how we are to be. He chose to edify other believers by refraining from any activity that would cause them to stumble! He did not worry himself with his own rights and comforts because he understood that his greatest priority, even over his personal freedom, was to lead others to Christian maturity. I believe that this is also how Jesus related to His disciples. He taught them that they could express no greater love than to lay down their life for one another. Can you imagine what the church, what Christianity would look like today if we continued in this teaching? Lives would be changed! Hopes would be encouraged! The church would be strengthened and hearts would be won in record numbers!
Friends, as Christians, I think that we should be so devoted to strengthening each other's faith that we would pursue this goal relentlessly, even if it means laying down our own lives! This is the behavior that characterized the early churches. This is the behavior today that characterises the church in other nations, and gives cause to other religions taking notice and persecuting them. This, I believe, is what love is like, and should be like among God's people! As God reveals to us what those around us need in order to grow their faith, we need to be prepared to sacrifice on behalf of our fellow Christians. Remember, to live is Christ, but to die is gain! The question is: WHAT ARE WE AFRAID OF WHEN WE KNOW GOD IS FOR HIS PEOPLE?
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
Thanks again Harold for another great blog. This has me praying and thinking about what I need to do so I am doing what God wants. Not what I want in life. I want to be closer with God then I am now and I want others to feel the love and joy I feel with God. Thank you again for helping to get me back on the right track!
ReplyDeleteChris Buchwald