Live Free For Jesus
A CONCERNING OBSERVATION
Just before New Year each year I find the following in my Site Activity Report
and maybe we should all ask ourselves why, in a festive season?
Or pray that during each year, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us, even if in some small and consistent way.
That would be truly Christian.
The Site Activity Report from Mid December to Mid January shows me
that some Christians are disturbed by Poor Christian Behavior.
I have alerted you about worldly religions and some Christian Cults
in some posts and have also covered some surprising things that some Christians are doing, unaccounted for - hidden and out in the open in a recent Post - so they can think twice and deal with those things because they're not kidding Jesus. How long have you been kidding yourself and saying that's alright?
I wrote "Let's all start this New Year on a good note - leaving ways that offend The Lord
and others behind us, a thing of the past. Don't take them with you and expect
God's Best in your lives - if you do, the New Year won't make any difference.
And for many of you: did you know it's the overlooked sins that could be
hindering your prayers? If you are wondering why your prayers
are not answered, start there."
The most read posts I referred to 85-90 views in December are as follows:
Where Are the Tares Jesus Spoke of?
Behavior of Some Christians, What does Scripture have to Say about Them?
Kindness and Conflict among Christians
Christian Conduct, Offending Each-other, The Challenge, Needing Comfort?
Christlike – To Be Or Not To Be
To be Christlike, Ready for Jesus, Are You Spiritual?
The next three show what many are looking for this time of year 80-85 views.
A Living Unity – Let us Walk in It
Walking in Love, Precious Counsel, What Touches our Father?
Healthy Churches and House Churches
True Ministries and Giftings, What is a Healthy Church?
Keeping the Joy in our Christian Walk
Kindness of God, Light of God, His Presence, Conviction or Condemnation?
Comforting Words.
Why are most of those views just preceding Christmas and immediately preceding
New Year when most people are celebrating a Family Time and preparing for New Year? That shows me that many are hurting because of people's wrong behavior patterns even in Churches - many do offend! That my friend, is a form of Christendom or Immature Behavior at best. Yet many of these same people want their prayers answered?
Some food for thought.
There are some experiences I've had myself with Christians over the years and
in recent years that may encourage some of you and be a moment of realisation
to some. A song from the 70s says "We will walk with each-other, we will walk hand
in hand. We will guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride and they'll
know we are Christians by Our Love."
More than a few times through the years, I have had some Christians say
sharp words, cruel remarks, unloving words and comments that were not Christlike.
One time I ended up in hospital with a serious nervous breakdown after a Pastor
lashed out in unkind words of accusation saying "What are you here for and why are you here, for a few weeks and then somewhere else!?" and he told me not to go there again. "I'm not that type of Christian, I want to stay here please?" I replied - he welcomed me to his service two weeks before that. The next day, a Christian girl who really loved me and respected me gave a rash accusation, told me not to phone again and I broke down completely after that because I felt like love had been stripped away from me - even though I had three family members.
To some of you out there, I say "What are you doing! Who are you hurting with
your words?" Did you know that words can cause Injuries not just temporary hurts
that last a few days and wear off? In fact, many don't! That's why the apostle James
gives us this counsel:
James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks himself to be (Christian) while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.
Passion Translation
If someone believes they have a relationship with God but fails to guard his words then his heart is drifting away and his religion is shallow and empty.
Evangelical Heritage Version
If anyone considers himself to be (a good Christian) but deceives his own heart because he does not bridle his tongue, this person’s religion is worthless.
That applies to Unkind Words to someone or Gossip about someone.
James 3:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies.
Our tongue can cause us to reap negative things in our lives - we are responsible for that. We are also responsible for the injury we inflict on others.
James 3:9-11
Berean Study Bible
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11 Can both fresh water and bitter water flow from the same spring?
We often praise God or ask for blessings - we should make sure we are not disturbing others and being an upsetting influence in their lives - we can be sure The Lord will not hear our prayers!
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
We need healthy Springs of Life for ourselves and others, hey?
Other Things We Do
Some of us show neglect when it comes to communications with fellow Christians
and even with family members. Some of us have good intentions and make promises
we do not keep ie "I will call you.....or.....call you back" and we don't, do we?
That my friend is broken promises and we expect God to keep His.
He does not like it when we do that kind of thing to those we love or those who
love us and we disappoint them. No, He does not take that kind of thing lightly.
Matthew 5:37
"Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No"
Something Christians and family do often is not return Texts or Phone Calls -
sometimes repeatedly and this is damaging I know because I have been on the
receiving end of that kind of behavior for the last two years. Believe me
when I say that is discourteous, cruel and unchristlike....... you should go to
them and apologize like they should to me. I've done nice things for them
and that is not gratitude. I hope it is encouraging for some of you to read
this who have experienced the same.
“If you're not reaching back to help anyone then you're not building a legacy.”
― Germany Kent
Some of us think about Rewards we will have in Heaven - not the Legacy we leave
with others. To leave a Legacy leads to Rewards in Heaven, not what we prefer -
that is so ignorant. Let's be Wise in His Eyes. JV
Have a look at this webpage on my new website
about lots of ways we can show Kindness everyday.