Have you ever considered that you are a walking, talking Bible? That you may be the only Bible a person will ever read? If that's true, ask yourself this question -- "What will people learn from me?" Will they see Christ?
I've heard people say, "I knew there was something special about so-and-so. And I wanted what they had. Their spirit or their love or their peace is what drew me to Christ."
I want to be that kind of person. I know better than to ask perfection of myself. It's just not possible. But if I'm truly walking with the Lord the way I walk can impact others and hopefully create a seeking heart in them. On the other hand, if I'm quick to anger or the language that comes out of my mouth dishonors God, or if I have a heart that is hardened by bitterness I'm a disgrace to God and it would be better that no one knows I'm a believer.
Don't be too hard on yourself, we are just human, after all. There is help for us, though--God's Word, the Holy Spirit and God Himself.
Romans 12 is filled with words of encouragement, guidance and wisdom. It's a road map, so to speak, to living for the Lord. The opening verses are powerful. "And so, dear brothers and sisters. I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
In a nutshell here is the rest of the chapter. What a beautiful thing the church, which is us, is meant to be.
Do not think yourself as better than others.
We belong to each other.
Use the gifts God has given you to serve one another.
Hate what is wrong.
Hold tightly to what is good.
Love each other with genuine affection.
Honor each other.
Never be lazy, but serve the Lord with enthusiasm.
Rejoice in confident hope.
Be patient in trouble and keep praying.
Help one another.
Bless those who persecute you--pray for them.
Weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with each other.
Never pay back evil with more evil.
We can be a light that leads others to the truth.
Next time you want to snipe at someone, stop and think about what kind of Bible you really want to be.
Grace and peace to you from God.
Bonnie
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Beautiful stuff--Hard stuff--of living and life. I'm so thankful to have the Holy Spirit's leading and that God knows my heart--otherwise, on my own, I'd be sunk--purely sunk--glub, glub, glub...
ReplyDeleteThat's me, Patti. And sometimes it is glub, glub, glub. So thankful for a God who gives second chances -- third, fourth and fifth chances.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Bonnie
ReplyDeleteI am so delighted that you walk by faith and not by sight. I have seen people who confess to being a Christ follower and I was shocked because their actions were so loud I couldn't hear a word they were saying. Having the holy Spirit to lead me is far better than I could ever hope to do on my own. I am FREEEE now because I quit trying to be that rock in the family and let him be in control. That is when I learned He was the Rock.
To end with LYNAYDY (Love your neighbor as you do yourself.)
Dear Love Your Neighbor,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I always walk by faith, but my own sight gets in the way all too often. I'm still growing and still learning to lean on Him.
He is the Rock, but I've got to learn to get out His way. I'm doing better, but my perfection will only come when I leave this earth.
So glad to hear you've found your freedome in Him.
Blessings to you.
This is a beautiful and sobering reminder. It reminds me of a poem written by St. Teresa of Avila. I don't remember it all but it starts out: "Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours."
ReplyDeleteKav, what a gorgeous poem. I'll have to find the rest of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing it with us.
Bonnie, this blog was EXACTLY what i needed to hear tonight...amazing how your blogs so often talk of an issue i have :) it definitely isnt easy being an example for God. Just tonight i was using language when i was talking to someone that afterwards i thought that i definately don't sound like a Christian. But this blog and the verses you quoted give me hope and now i just need to act. thank u very much
ReplyDeleteSarah
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI think the reason some of the topics hit home is because of the human condition. We're all in the same place at one time or another.
This walk is not easy, but it is full of rewards. And striving toward God, to be His servant and His example brings us closer to Him.
For me, simply writing these blogs helps me. It requires self examination and prayer and more seeking. I am so thankful for the task.
Blessings to you.
Good nutshell. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sheila.
ReplyDelete