"....Known and read by all men.., you are a letter of Christ...." (2 Corinthians 3:2c 3c, NASB, from today's Epistle reading)
What can one say about this? Whether I speak or whether I just appear at a place of business, the market place, with family, it does not matter. Scary as it may sound and be, "....Known and read by all men.., you are a letter of Christ...."
I quote again, Francis of Assissi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." The average "evangelical" usually finds this offensive because it sounds like a "good works" gospel. But it is. You cannot read the Words of Jesus without encountering "good works." Of course repentance and receiving Jesus as King and Savior is the "first" act of faith/obedience. But good works are the "proof" of just a commitment. When the young man asked Jesus about eternal life, Jesus' first response was, "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." When He then told the young man, "One thing you lack," He did not go on to say, "By the way forget those commandments I just mentioned. All you really need is a short prayer and eternal life is yours.
Many of those who are great talking evangelists are poor "letters." I sometimes wonder about myself. It is not that the world can sit in judgment on us. The Bible tells us that the person surrendered to Jesus Christ, "....is judged by no man" (1 Cor. 2:15). Yet the question is, What do people see of me? How do professed Christians treat their fellow workers, their family members, etc.? There is no doubt that many non Christians treat people better than those professing to be "born again." As James says, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way"!
Why don't we just make a resolve today that we will do all we can to reflect the "acceptance," the love, the holiness and compassion of Jesus Christ. There is the King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and The Message Bible, the New International Version. May the Holy Spirit ever keep us mindful of the (Your Name Here):_______________ version.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray those around me read a good letter. Amen.
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Fall Mission to Berlin and Jerusalem: October 27-November 26
What can one say about this? Whether I speak or whether I just appear at a place of business, the market place, with family, it does not matter. Scary as it may sound and be, "....Known and read by all men.., you are a letter of Christ...."
I quote again, Francis of Assissi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." The average "evangelical" usually finds this offensive because it sounds like a "good works" gospel. But it is. You cannot read the Words of Jesus without encountering "good works." Of course repentance and receiving Jesus as King and Savior is the "first" act of faith/obedience. But good works are the "proof" of just a commitment. When the young man asked Jesus about eternal life, Jesus' first response was, "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." When He then told the young man, "One thing you lack," He did not go on to say, "By the way forget those commandments I just mentioned. All you really need is a short prayer and eternal life is yours.
Many of those who are great talking evangelists are poor "letters." I sometimes wonder about myself. It is not that the world can sit in judgment on us. The Bible tells us that the person surrendered to Jesus Christ, "....is judged by no man" (1 Cor. 2:15). Yet the question is, What do people see of me? How do professed Christians treat their fellow workers, their family members, etc.? There is no doubt that many non Christians treat people better than those professing to be "born again." As James says, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way"!
Why don't we just make a resolve today that we will do all we can to reflect the "acceptance," the love, the holiness and compassion of Jesus Christ. There is the King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and The Message Bible, the New International Version. May the Holy Spirit ever keep us mindful of the (Your Name Here):_______________ version.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray those around me read a good letter. Amen.
*************************
Fall Mission to Berlin and Jerusalem: October 27-November 26
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
