Recently a friend of mine was telling me about two people she knows who
are both Christians. The two people are sisters so they come from
similar backgrounds and are not too far apart in age. However, the
description my friend gave of each of them was something I found
interesting. She described one in terms of the things that have happened
in her life and how she has seen God move and how God is using her. Her
past is anything but "clean" and yet my friend could see how God was
using her. The other she described as always talking about how much she
does for God, but treats people horribly and has no evidence in her life
of truly knowing God. This person has the "ideal" American
life....high paying job, devoted husband, three children, cute dog, and a
beautiful house in a nice neighborhood. She has attended church
regularly for most of her life and is vocal in letting everyone know her
faith is listed as a Christian. However, my friend saw a tremendous
difference in the fruit of these two people.
I love how 1 Corinthians addresses this issue.
"Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world-what is viewed as nothing-to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. But [it is] from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us-[our] righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
In what do you boast? Is it of the time you spend at church, in how much you tithe, or in how many hours you spend volunteering? Is it in what YOU have done? Or is your boasting in the power of Christ in your life? Do you share who you once were and how your life was changed after you encountered Him? Do you show love to those who do not know Christ? Is Jesus someone they would want to know based on looking at your own life? Not that your life circumstances have to be perfect, but do they see peace, love, and joy in you? When they have conversations with you, do then leave feeling encouraged or beaten up?
Today's post is a short one, but one to think about. Which category would you fall into?
I love how 1 Corinthians addresses this issue.
"Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world-what is viewed as nothing-to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. But [it is] from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us-[our] righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
In what do you boast? Is it of the time you spend at church, in how much you tithe, or in how many hours you spend volunteering? Is it in what YOU have done? Or is your boasting in the power of Christ in your life? Do you share who you once were and how your life was changed after you encountered Him? Do you show love to those who do not know Christ? Is Jesus someone they would want to know based on looking at your own life? Not that your life circumstances have to be perfect, but do they see peace, love, and joy in you? When they have conversations with you, do then leave feeling encouraged or beaten up?
Today's post is a short one, but one to think about. Which category would you fall into?
No comments:
Post a Comment