Making a Difference for Christ
I frequently ask myself what I have recently done that has made a difference for Christ. How has my life impacted the lives of those around me, workplace, church, wal-mart, going out to eat, the needy, etc?
The concept of my life is not my own is a hard one to swallow sometimes or overlooked because all the distractions in life. I get so busy but I tend to get numb to the fragility of life and how quickly it could be taken from me…we all know people whether friends, loved ones, neighbors, schoolmates, etc who has passed prematurely. What man or woman actually has control of their life? We can only control our reactions to the circumstances around us and that is it!
When I think Christ gave His life so that I might have life eternally with Him and I wonder what the proper response is? Would it be okay for me to continue to live my life selfishly? Keeping this gift of salvation to myself? Being unthankful for the blessings I already have and always wanting more?
So if Christian = Christ-like, do these behaviors reflect Christ? What are some of the characteristics of Christ? Patient, kind, not envious, humble, not boastful, polite, serving, not easily angered, always forgiving keeping no records of wrong, rejoices in truth and does not delight in evil, trusting, hopeful, and perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13 uses these actions to describe love. So simply said Christ is love and we should demonstrate the same characteristics in our lives to reflect Christ.
1 Corinthians 13 has always been a chapter that stands out from the rest to me! In the church world, especially the Pentecostal denominations I see so many people talk about prophecy, healings, tongues, stories of Christ rising people from the dead, demonic powers, knowledge, end-times, and any other interesting gift or fascinating ideas. I have seen people step out into side groups, claiming to have a better understanding of the word and that their interpretation of scripture allows them to get closer to God or whatever! The problems I find with these concepts is when people talk about them and begin to desire them, it is for Pride and they don’t always envision God using them but them doing it and controlling the “POWER” that has come upon them.
I am guessing you are wondering what my point is, here it is! The whole Bible reflects the same characteristic of Christ that we are supposed to have, LOVE. This is what this Chapter is telling us, I believe it is the so called secret to how to Make a Difference for Christ!
So when I ask myself if, how has my life made a difference for Christ? How has my life impacted the lives of those around me? My answer is by demonstrating the love that Christ for me, shining through me into the lives of those around me. You want to know how to evangelize the world and witness, love them by serving them, listening to them, and becoming friends with them! Who is this “them” I am referring to, well it is everyone from the lost, babies in Christ, mature in Christ, needy, poor, unclothed, imprisoned, the hungry, the thirsty, and the homeless (Matthew 25:31-40). Love is not an option but a command, “
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
And according to Christ, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15
I will close by answering some questions I posed earlier…
Would it be okay for me to continue to live my life selfishly? No
Keeping this gift of salvation to myself? No
Being unthankful for the blessings I already have and always wanting more? No
From my interpretation of scripture to continue to live life with the characteristics above 1 does not show Christ we love Him since He said if you will love me obey what I command…and I do not see how if I love others I could keep the gospel of the Love of Christ from them!
What is the proper response to His love? Is to share his love by my speech and actions! By demonstrating His love to others to the best of my ability.
Today could be our last day on earth, our loved ones last day, so appreciate everything moment with your loved ones and take advantage of spreading the Gospel of Christ while you can!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHRIST THROUGH LOVE!
**REMEMBER OUR ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY IS GROWING THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND NOT OUR LOCAL CHURCH…BREAK OUTSIDE OF THE 4 WALLS AND LOVE SOMEBODY!**
