While it is true that the Bible speaks about becoming saved, coming into a life of holiness and abstaining from sin, we often fail at one subject - our outreach to others.
We are afraid of people making fun of us for believing in God. We become angry if they speak against what we believe, calling us dumb, uneducated, superstitious, etc. We may even retaliate, telling them not-so-nice things because we got our feelings hurt.
Guys, it is true that the Bible speaks against sin, but it never tells us to go around pointing a finger of judgment at everyone. We are called to preach the truth, but not to go out wounding people who are not saved. It is God's conviction that inspires our heart to repentance. We cannot force anyone to come to God - all we can do is simply be a light to others in this world.
So what am I saying? Today, take the time to BE THE LIGHT. Don't look at everything wrong that everyone else is doing. They have to be accountable for their own life. All that you can do is lean on God, living your own life. As it is written in Philippians 2:12, we must all "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".
This post is much more than just a small Bible lesson. THIS IS A CALL TO ALL CHRISTIANS TO "BE THE LIGHT". You may be the only Jesus that someone ever gets the chance to see - do they see Jesus shining through you? Do you look down on others because they are not living a life you believe God would approve of? Jesus went to spend time with sinners in the Bible, and He told the Pharisees in Luke 5:31-32 / "...They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
How many people do you think you are going to win to God when you are looking down on them? God has called us to a ministry of love, not of judgment. Today I encourage you to begin to reach out to people, and to demonstrate the love of Christ to those around you. Sometimes the best message you can preach is not right out of a Bible - it is taught through helping pack groceries in a house, giving a kind word, encouraging someone in need, etc. Use the gifts that God has given you to reach out to those who have not gotten to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
02-15-12 - Speak The Truth In Love
We are afraid of people making fun of us for believing in God. We become angry if they speak against what we believe, calling us dumb, uneducated, superstitious, etc. We may even retaliate, telling them not-so-nice things because we got our feelings hurt.
Guys, it is true that the Bible speaks against sin, but it never tells us to go around pointing a finger of judgment at everyone. We are called to preach the truth, but not to go out wounding people who are not saved. It is God's conviction that inspires our heart to repentance. We cannot force anyone to come to God - all we can do is simply be a light to others in this world.
So what am I saying? Today, take the time to BE THE LIGHT. Don't look at everything wrong that everyone else is doing. They have to be accountable for their own life. All that you can do is lean on God, living your own life. As it is written in Philippians 2:12, we must all "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".
http://godtalklouisvilleky.blogspot.com/2012/02/02-15-12-speak-truth-in-love.html