During much of that time I would have to say that I was pre-occupied with my own status among my brothers and with God. I was what some would call a "works" man.
I spent a lot of time trying to understand how to improve my character and be an example to others because I wanted others, christian and non, to know "the power of God" to change their lives. That was my witness because I didn't think too much of the door to door type of witnessing or the typical methods of "winning souls".
As I think about it now, there was nothing really wrong with this approach. If more christians had this type of attitude there would probably be many more souls added to the church daily.
That would be good.
However, I don't know if that would be enough.
I don't know about you but I have been coming to a realization over the past decade or so. A realization that has actually changed the way that I look at my walk with Christ and God. It hasn't been Earth shattering. But, then again, still, small, voices rarely are.
I don't know whether you have thought this or not, but, when I listen to most sermons and when I talk to most self professed christians, I rarely hear anything about loving one another or loving sinners. Not only do I not hear anything about it, I don't see self professed christians loving anyone but themselves.
I am not joking.
When is the last time you heard a parishener say anything compassionate about their pastor or any church leader, let alone the alcoholic down the block? When is the last time you saw a fellow congregant go out of their way to do something for someone just because Jesus would do it?
I'm not talking about the church food bank program or the weekly drive to get more people to attend a evangelistic meeting. Those don't count because some do those things just to be seen.
It's a good question to say the least.
We hear a lot from the church about this type of person or that type of person being bad. Many sermons do nothing more than to sow seeds of division rather than reconciliation. Let's face it, there is a lot of hate in the church.
I was reading in the first epistle of John, chapter 2 and ran across this:
6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I'm just asking....
