"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]" Matthew 11:28 (AMP)
This is my last entry for the year, and as I reflect on the year I see the amazing obstacles overcome as the hand of God has been so evident in my life. However, if there was one thing I wish I would have done more of is.... rest. I spent way too much time striving, and not enough time heeding the invitation by God to come and rest.
If you think about it, rest is important to God. He rested on the 7th day after undertaking His vast creation project. Jesus continually retreated to places after preaching so that He could pray and rest. Rest is essential for our wholeness and well-being, and Jesus is inviting us to lay down every obstacle at His feet so that He could give us rest. So if there is one thing you I encourage you to do more of in 2012 is...don't strive with thinking about your problems, worries, or concerns. In the end He'll take care of you, the only work you need to do is come to Jesus and find your rest.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Liberal Supply
"And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (AMP)
I'm sure that many people out there wonder, "How are we going to make it?" They say this as the sickness sets in, or the finances continue to dwindle, and the skeptics of a real God begin to pose their doubts. It's a sort of hopelessness that grips the very soul and causes doubt to rise.
Then Paul (a prisoner in a Roman jail) writes something peculiar, changing the very paradigm of human reasoning. In essence, He's saying don't worry because God will supply all you need. Instantly, the bastion of the grace message is born, because Paul doesn't stipulate a condition by which this will happen (if you do this, then this will happen). He states that because of Christ, all of God's supply is available to us. Changing forever the performance based works that people kept building up for others to follow.
My friends if you understand one thing, understand this... God is for you! He's for your success, your prosperity, and your happiness. He has made all of heaven's resources available to you for your time of need. All you have to do is believe and receive your liberal supply.
I'm sure that many people out there wonder, "How are we going to make it?" They say this as the sickness sets in, or the finances continue to dwindle, and the skeptics of a real God begin to pose their doubts. It's a sort of hopelessness that grips the very soul and causes doubt to rise.
Then Paul (a prisoner in a Roman jail) writes something peculiar, changing the very paradigm of human reasoning. In essence, He's saying don't worry because God will supply all you need. Instantly, the bastion of the grace message is born, because Paul doesn't stipulate a condition by which this will happen (if you do this, then this will happen). He states that because of Christ, all of God's supply is available to us. Changing forever the performance based works that people kept building up for others to follow.
My friends if you understand one thing, understand this... God is for you! He's for your success, your prosperity, and your happiness. He has made all of heaven's resources available to you for your time of need. All you have to do is believe and receive your liberal supply.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Way Ahead
"God thunder's mightily with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend." Job 37:5 (AMP)
The new year approaches for us and so do thoughts of resolution and change. We so badly want to erase the mistakes of the past year and to step into a new year filled with hope for a better future. Often times however, we make the mistake of making those thoughts just that... thoughts instead of action.
God however envisions for us a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11), He desires for us to prosper as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2), for he has made us above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:11-13). What am I saying? I'm saying that God's plan for us this year go far beyond our comprehension, and that's ok especially when we know it's for our benefit and not our harm.
The new year approaches for us and so do thoughts of resolution and change. We so badly want to erase the mistakes of the past year and to step into a new year filled with hope for a better future. Often times however, we make the mistake of making those thoughts just that... thoughts instead of action.
God however envisions for us a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11), He desires for us to prosper as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2), for he has made us above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:11-13). What am I saying? I'm saying that God's plan for us this year go far beyond our comprehension, and that's ok especially when we know it's for our benefit and not our harm.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Can't Even Understand It
"For from of old no one has heard or percieved by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him." Isaiah 64:4 (AMP)
When I stop for a moment and think about the goodness of the Lord and what He does for such an unworthy person as I, I can't even understand how its possible for love like that to be lavished upon me. The beauty about God is that He's always responding to those who wait on Him, because it is these people who know the true nature of God.
These people have been rescued from the worst circumstances and been promoted into a life of prosperity and abundance. These people were once down and out and now are up and thriving. No eye can conceive this, nor can any ear percieve because this goodness simply doesn't exist anywhere else. That's why He's worth waiting on! :)
When I stop for a moment and think about the goodness of the Lord and what He does for such an unworthy person as I, I can't even understand how its possible for love like that to be lavished upon me. The beauty about God is that He's always responding to those who wait on Him, because it is these people who know the true nature of God.
These people have been rescued from the worst circumstances and been promoted into a life of prosperity and abundance. These people were once down and out and now are up and thriving. No eye can conceive this, nor can any ear percieve because this goodness simply doesn't exist anywhere else. That's why He's worth waiting on! :)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Terrified Joy
"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:9-10
God's timing is impeccable, almost too impeccable for our own human reasoning. Consider the shepherds that night. All resting taking care of their sheep then suddenly...the heavens open up and a brilliant display of lights and angels appear to them that was so awesome it terrifies them.
God's message of hope to us can arrive at the most unexpected times. Even at times where we don't expect but when it comes, God looks to allay our surprise and tells us to rejoice. In this particular instance, these shepherds were possibly the first to be invited to the celebration of a lifetime. Isn't it amazing how God would come near by bringing an unsuspecting group of people (who would otherwise be overlooked and neglected) the news of their lifetime. What a mighty God we serve!
God's timing is impeccable, almost too impeccable for our own human reasoning. Consider the shepherds that night. All resting taking care of their sheep then suddenly...the heavens open up and a brilliant display of lights and angels appear to them that was so awesome it terrifies them.
God's message of hope to us can arrive at the most unexpected times. Even at times where we don't expect but when it comes, God looks to allay our surprise and tells us to rejoice. In this particular instance, these shepherds were possibly the first to be invited to the celebration of a lifetime. Isn't it amazing how God would come near by bringing an unsuspecting group of people (who would otherwise be overlooked and neglected) the news of their lifetime. What a mighty God we serve!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Give or Take
"The thief (Satan) only comes in to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have and ejoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full till it overflows)." John 10:10 (Amplified)
Quite a paradoxical bible verse to say the least, but this verse probably above all other verses shows the divide between God's and Satan's intent for our lives. To give or to take, that is the question.
Look at this world from a 40,000 foot objective. They are hammering a young professional athlete who gives his resources to the Philippines to help underpriviledged families and children, who gives his praise to God and his teammates, and so on. The world despises him because he doesn't take the praise for himself, nor does he make life about what others could do for him. It makes me feel gross just thinking about it but it's the plain truth for all to see.
Jesus was quite the same polarizing figure. The religious establishment hated the fact that He was so inclusive and giving in His messages. They hated the fact that He had grace for those caught up in the midst of sin, and condemned those who were all about themselves. In thousands of years the tension of give or take is still very prominent. I pray that we'd learn to receive the goodness and grace of God for us, and learn how to be givers of the same to others.
Quite a paradoxical bible verse to say the least, but this verse probably above all other verses shows the divide between God's and Satan's intent for our lives. To give or to take, that is the question.
Look at this world from a 40,000 foot objective. They are hammering a young professional athlete who gives his resources to the Philippines to help underpriviledged families and children, who gives his praise to God and his teammates, and so on. The world despises him because he doesn't take the praise for himself, nor does he make life about what others could do for him. It makes me feel gross just thinking about it but it's the plain truth for all to see.
Jesus was quite the same polarizing figure. The religious establishment hated the fact that He was so inclusive and giving in His messages. They hated the fact that He had grace for those caught up in the midst of sin, and condemned those who were all about themselves. In thousands of years the tension of give or take is still very prominent. I pray that we'd learn to receive the goodness and grace of God for us, and learn how to be givers of the same to others.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Faith
"It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (The Message)
Every morning when I wake up to go to work I turn the key to my car and I have faith that it will start. Every morning when I wake up I go to the computer to write my devotional and I have faith that it will turn on. These examples are all demonstrated acts of faith that we really don't think much about. Why? We all have an inherent belief that these things will work because if they didn't then we would go back to whatever store we found it and return it. It's also easy to trust what you can see, but what about what you cannot see?
Jesus said to Thomas after his resurrection, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." (John 20:29) Thomas had trusted each day that Jesus would be there with all of them until His death. After Jesus' death Thomas didn't believe accounts by others that Jesus was alive and wanted to see with his own eyes and touch with his own hands. Jesus told his disciples that He would return but the despair brought about by his death wiped away all memory from their minds, because they let external circumstances govern their faith.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." Don't only trust the five senses you were given. Trust the unseen, the eternal. How did you end up with the breath of life? How did we end up on a planet so perfectly suited for us? How do we know the wind blows, or why it blows? I don't really know the answer to these questions but I do know that if God cared enough to make this for us then I can at least take a leap of faith in believing who He is...
Monday, December 19, 2011
Names of God (Jehovah Jireh)
"So Abraham called the name of that place (Yahweh Yireh/Jehovah Jireh) The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided." Genesis 22:13 (Amplified)
Abraham is faced with a crisis of sorts. After living 100 plus years without a son who would inherit his vast possessions, he is now faced with sacrificing this very son, because it is what God had asked him to do. The emotions that Abraham is experiencing are palpable; fear, sadness, and a bit of sorrow. He is in dire straits as he lifts the knife to kill his son.
Then as he's about to go down to kill his son, an Angel stops him. God sees that Abrahams motives are pure and God provides a ram instead to sacrifice instead of his son. Seeing this provision Abraham rejoices beause this confirms to him what he already knew about the sovereignty of God. This place proved to him above all else that no matter what the external circumstance looks like, God will provide (Jehovah-Jireh).
Abraham is faced with a crisis of sorts. After living 100 plus years without a son who would inherit his vast possessions, he is now faced with sacrificing this very son, because it is what God had asked him to do. The emotions that Abraham is experiencing are palpable; fear, sadness, and a bit of sorrow. He is in dire straits as he lifts the knife to kill his son.
Then as he's about to go down to kill his son, an Angel stops him. God sees that Abrahams motives are pure and God provides a ram instead to sacrifice instead of his son. Seeing this provision Abraham rejoices beause this confirms to him what he already knew about the sovereignty of God. This place proved to him above all else that no matter what the external circumstance looks like, God will provide (Jehovah-Jireh).
Friday, December 16, 2011
All
"And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (Amplified)
When I start to feel the pinch of life's circumstances around me I go back to this verse. For it is here where I set my declaration on all day long. I say to myself, "Regardless of what the exterior seems like, God will supply ALL my needs." I think this practice of recitation should be exercised by all, because in time something in the atmosphere breaks, and though it may not seem like right away something is at work it always seems like it is.
God is into blessing His children in exceeding ways. He's in to blowing your perspective in what you thought you should receive into what you are entitled to receive. Not from your own merits, or works, but through His son who paid the ultimate price so that you could receive the riches of Heaven. Cling to this word, because it is God's purpose to supply all your needs according to His riches!
When I start to feel the pinch of life's circumstances around me I go back to this verse. For it is here where I set my declaration on all day long. I say to myself, "Regardless of what the exterior seems like, God will supply ALL my needs." I think this practice of recitation should be exercised by all, because in time something in the atmosphere breaks, and though it may not seem like right away something is at work it always seems like it is.
God is into blessing His children in exceeding ways. He's in to blowing your perspective in what you thought you should receive into what you are entitled to receive. Not from your own merits, or works, but through His son who paid the ultimate price so that you could receive the riches of Heaven. Cling to this word, because it is God's purpose to supply all your needs according to His riches!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Plans
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not disaster to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
I would love for anyone to find in the bible an instance where God does not want to be an active part of our lives. I'd love for anyone to show me that all He intends for us is harm and pain, because it sure does seem like a lot of people live that way. They hold on so tightly to their own lives figuring they have what it takes to make themselves successful and happy, and in the end they end up miserable trying to figure out what went wrong.
God is intentional about our success. He is For us. There is nothing in His word that is contrary to those phrases. We just need to give Him a chance to work. For even the outcomes that we thought were failures and setbacks He can transform into success and welfare. It's all a matter of how much you will entrust to Him. I can say with absolute certainty that if you give Him all you will prosper. After all, those are the plans He has for you.
I would love for anyone to find in the bible an instance where God does not want to be an active part of our lives. I'd love for anyone to show me that all He intends for us is harm and pain, because it sure does seem like a lot of people live that way. They hold on so tightly to their own lives figuring they have what it takes to make themselves successful and happy, and in the end they end up miserable trying to figure out what went wrong.
God is intentional about our success. He is For us. There is nothing in His word that is contrary to those phrases. We just need to give Him a chance to work. For even the outcomes that we thought were failures and setbacks He can transform into success and welfare. It's all a matter of how much you will entrust to Him. I can say with absolute certainty that if you give Him all you will prosper. After all, those are the plans He has for you.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Rest
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]" Matthew 11:28 (AMP)
I learned a valuable lesson yesterday that made me realize that we in life seek after rest but rarely find it. We take vacations, breaks, and do things that take our minds off of our normal circumstances in life, but rarely do we really get rest while we engage in these activities. The question that came to my mind was why?
Then as easily as I thought about that question this simple answer came to me. "We base our rest on something we can create for ourselves instead of something that we recieve." Jesus' invitation to us is to simply come. There was no sort of condition placed on His invitation, simply a call to come. A welcome change for those who were hard pressed trying to figure things out on their own.
This same Jesus who was well acquainted with our sorrow and our grief (Isaiah 53:3), says to us "If you come to me with all those burdens I'll grant you the rest and tranquility that your heart deeply desires." You don't have to struggle with the answers to life's most difficult questions because He's promised to take care of you. The question is then why don't we take Him up on this offer?
I learned a valuable lesson yesterday that made me realize that we in life seek after rest but rarely find it. We take vacations, breaks, and do things that take our minds off of our normal circumstances in life, but rarely do we really get rest while we engage in these activities. The question that came to my mind was why?
Then as easily as I thought about that question this simple answer came to me. "We base our rest on something we can create for ourselves instead of something that we recieve." Jesus' invitation to us is to simply come. There was no sort of condition placed on His invitation, simply a call to come. A welcome change for those who were hard pressed trying to figure things out on their own.
This same Jesus who was well acquainted with our sorrow and our grief (Isaiah 53:3), says to us "If you come to me with all those burdens I'll grant you the rest and tranquility that your heart deeply desires." You don't have to struggle with the answers to life's most difficult questions because He's promised to take care of you. The question is then why don't we take Him up on this offer?
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Deliverer
" Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again. God will fight the battle for you." Exodus 14:13-14a (The Message)
I've found that the situation the Israelites faced is really no different than any moment preceding a significant breakthrough. When God is at the precipice of doing something great in us, He does one final check to see where your trust is in the crucible.
He knows the path of deliverance lies in a path you couldn't even imagine (the Red Sea), and He looks for you to maintain your steely resolve in looking at your tormentor in the face, and trust that He will do what He said He will do. All the pain, all the anguish, all the restless nights take a hard look and realize... this enemy you will never see again FOREVER.
I don't know if many people realize this or not, but The Egyptians throughout the bible never again were enemies of the Israelites. In fact, later on they would be allies of the Israeli Kings, and Egypt wound up being a safe house for Jesus when his parents fled the wrath of Herod. God's deliverance is absolute as is His will to bring you through whatever situation you're facing. In the face of adversity don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God take control of an impossible situation
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Ask
"You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it." James 4:2 (NLT)
When you don't have what you need, there is a certain desperation you have to get it. Here in this passage the Apostle James says, "you scheme and kill to get it." Now he may not have been referring to this method in the literal sense for everyone, but in the figurative sense you rely on your own means to get whatever you need whatever the cost. Which is his point.
He points out however, that the overarching reason you don't have what you need or want, is because you don't go after God for it. You don't ask God, because you're too focused on how you can get it on your own. This scathing rebuke and exhortation is mean to propel you towards God in your moment of greatest need. Your conduit for every blessing under heaven is God, so James here is saying why don't you try asking him repeatedly until you get an answer. He's going to respond at the proper time.
When you don't have what you need, there is a certain desperation you have to get it. Here in this passage the Apostle James says, "you scheme and kill to get it." Now he may not have been referring to this method in the literal sense for everyone, but in the figurative sense you rely on your own means to get whatever you need whatever the cost. Which is his point.
He points out however, that the overarching reason you don't have what you need or want, is because you don't go after God for it. You don't ask God, because you're too focused on how you can get it on your own. This scathing rebuke and exhortation is mean to propel you towards God in your moment of greatest need. Your conduit for every blessing under heaven is God, so James here is saying why don't you try asking him repeatedly until you get an answer. He's going to respond at the proper time.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Mercy
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24 (KJV)
Isn't it amazing that with God each morning brings about a clean slate? I know we are all grateful for that because we all need it. Now this is not an occasion to party and take advantage of God's mercy by doing evil because you know He'll forgive you. Rather, it is something to cherish and understand the depth of God's love for His people.
Perhaps you can think about instances where you didn't deserve mercy and God gave it to you anyway. Share those moments with those who struggle to understand the love of God. God wants us to know how much He loves us, by pouring His love and mercy into our lives. We should accept and pass on this gift to others and let the world know God loves them.
Isn't it amazing that with God each morning brings about a clean slate? I know we are all grateful for that because we all need it. Now this is not an occasion to party and take advantage of God's mercy by doing evil because you know He'll forgive you. Rather, it is something to cherish and understand the depth of God's love for His people.
Perhaps you can think about instances where you didn't deserve mercy and God gave it to you anyway. Share those moments with those who struggle to understand the love of God. God wants us to know how much He loves us, by pouring His love and mercy into our lives. We should accept and pass on this gift to others and let the world know God loves them.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Implanted Purpose
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP
Ever had a sense that you were destined and created for more? That there was just something you couldn't quite describe but you knew that the normal things in life were not meant to hold you forever. This sense of purpose and destiny is not coincidental. It's the mindset of heaven given down to you.
Now many people start thinking about this destiny and grow afraid of it's fulfillment. Partly because it's going to take too much time, or too much money to fulfill. They think about the difficulty of the journey because they think of the effort it's going to take them to get it done and become discouraged in the process. This is not what God intended. He intended to do all the work, and through Him things were going to be done on a totally different level than you could have ever imagined.
Think about all the men and women God used in the Bible. It wasn't through any of their efforts that got them the opportunity to fulfill their ultimate destiny. It was God who presented them with the tools to achieve the impossible. He hasn't changed you know, and that is why the same destiny and purpose are available to us all.
Ever had a sense that you were destined and created for more? That there was just something you couldn't quite describe but you knew that the normal things in life were not meant to hold you forever. This sense of purpose and destiny is not coincidental. It's the mindset of heaven given down to you.
Now many people start thinking about this destiny and grow afraid of it's fulfillment. Partly because it's going to take too much time, or too much money to fulfill. They think about the difficulty of the journey because they think of the effort it's going to take them to get it done and become discouraged in the process. This is not what God intended. He intended to do all the work, and through Him things were going to be done on a totally different level than you could have ever imagined.
Think about all the men and women God used in the Bible. It wasn't through any of their efforts that got them the opportunity to fulfill their ultimate destiny. It was God who presented them with the tools to achieve the impossible. He hasn't changed you know, and that is why the same destiny and purpose are available to us all.
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Simple Truth
"You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (The Message)
Why do we spend so much time trying to impress people with knowledgeable complicated things of theology. Its amazing how people try so hard to impress others with what they know but in reality it is the simplest things that reach others.
Paul was very careful not to give these people something complicated, instead he focused on the life of Christ and giving them the true foundation of the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit took care of the rest. Due to the simplicity of the gospel the people of Corinth would never be the same.
The point Paul is trying to make in this passage is that you don't need to be the holiest articulator to reach others for Christ, just giving a real simple message that says Christ loves them and He gave His life for them so that they would live in eternity in Heaven. Such a simple approach would go further than most people tend to think.
Why do we spend so much time trying to impress people with knowledgeable complicated things of theology. Its amazing how people try so hard to impress others with what they know but in reality it is the simplest things that reach others.
Paul was very careful not to give these people something complicated, instead he focused on the life of Christ and giving them the true foundation of the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit took care of the rest. Due to the simplicity of the gospel the people of Corinth would never be the same.
The point Paul is trying to make in this passage is that you don't need to be the holiest articulator to reach others for Christ, just giving a real simple message that says Christ loves them and He gave His life for them so that they would live in eternity in Heaven. Such a simple approach would go further than most people tend to think.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Be Considerate
"I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common." 1 Corinthians 1:10 (The Message)
When I was young I heard a quote from a Christian apologist that stays with me today. It states, "the greatest single cause of Atheism in this world is Christians, who acknowledge things with their lips then walk out the door and deny it by their lifestyles.... That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
What a harsh observation, but Oh so true. Think about what this world would be like if we were considerate of one another and deferred to one another regardless of circumstances? Paul in looking at the Corinthians saw that they were headed down the wrong path, in essence living their lives with blinders. He felt he had to take the focus off themselves, and divert it onto others in order for them to be truly effective Christians.
If we are to assume the mantle of Christianity then we are to live a lifestyle that embodies Christ. I'm not sure if we totally get how important it is for us to understand this... but consider this... If we live a selfless life for others then the world would see poverty vanquished, depression cases diminish significantly, and countless other things that ail this society being restored. Most importantly, we would show the world the love of Christ that lives inside of us and they would come to the understanding that He's the only way the only truth and the only life to pursue.
When I was young I heard a quote from a Christian apologist that stays with me today. It states, "the greatest single cause of Atheism in this world is Christians, who acknowledge things with their lips then walk out the door and deny it by their lifestyles.... That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
What a harsh observation, but Oh so true. Think about what this world would be like if we were considerate of one another and deferred to one another regardless of circumstances? Paul in looking at the Corinthians saw that they were headed down the wrong path, in essence living their lives with blinders. He felt he had to take the focus off themselves, and divert it onto others in order for them to be truly effective Christians.
If we are to assume the mantle of Christianity then we are to live a lifestyle that embodies Christ. I'm not sure if we totally get how important it is for us to understand this... but consider this... If we live a selfless life for others then the world would see poverty vanquished, depression cases diminish significantly, and countless other things that ail this society being restored. Most importantly, we would show the world the love of Christ that lives inside of us and they would come to the understanding that He's the only way the only truth and the only life to pursue.
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