Slip Sliding Christian

James 1: 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

My grandson didn’t want to eat one of the caramel apples that my husband had purchased for him. To make it easier for my grandson to eat, my husband cut the apple off the core and had given it to him in a bowl. I saw the core sitting on the cupboard with about a bites worth of caramel apple still intact. I decided that I should try a bit to make sure the apple hadn’t been too old. Yeah, right

That’s all it took. One bite and I was heading to the fridge to get another caramel apple to sample. I didn’t want to give it up, although I knew the sugar isn’t good for me, because I have Hypoglycemia and it affects my blood sugar. I enjoyed every bite of it and felt little remorse, although I knew I should have.

All it took was one little bite for me to slip back into that hold that sugar has on me. It just took one bite to block out all reason. It just took one bite to have me slip back into old patterns. Fortunately for me, Christ took pity on me and showed me that I was a Slip Sliding Christian, starting to slide down a slippery slope into patterns that would work a wedge in my relationship with Him. Christ’s welcoming embrace was only a prayer away. He saved me from myself! James 1: 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Possessed Christian

The young man saith unto Him [Jesus], All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  Mark 10: 20

I was sitting in church and the minister read this passage. This is when the rich man came to talk to Jesus about what he needed to do yet to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to follow the commandments and the man basically said, “I’ve nailed that one! I’ve done all those from my childhood.”

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  Mark 10: 21-22

 Have I become a Possessed Christian too attached to possessions and food that work a wedge in my relationship with Christ? Am I willing to give up foods that I crave? Am I willing to give them to the less fortunate? Am I willing to give up things that work a wedge in my relationship with Christ? It seems that I let possessions, including food possess me.

The moment that I'm asked to do something for the Lord that is out of my comfort zone, i head for the hills just like the rich man who left because he had too many possessions and couldn't part with them. I want to be willing to give up unhealthy eating and possessions that control me.

 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  Mark 10: 21-22

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Stand in the Wings Christian

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2: 21

I was thinking about it the other day, Jesus wrote us a blank check. He didn’t say that only those who are thin go to heaven. He didn’t say that only those who have their overeating and other vices under control go to heaven. He didn’t say that only those who tithe a certain amount go to heaven. He didn’t say that only those who are on every church committee go to heaven. He didn’t say that only those who wear trendy clothes go to heaven. He didn’t say that only those in the popular group go to heaven. The Bible does say, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2: 21”

Are we fortunate, or what??? Jesus gave His life openly for All who know and love Him, and not just a select few. So, why am I so reluctant to share this wonderful information with others? Am I a “Stand in the Wings Christian”? I am humbled with the generosity of Jesus, but often don’t do anything to reciprocate. It’s very easy for me to Stand in the Wings, waiting until someone specifically calls me by name and asks me to help with something particular.

If I’m really being honest, I am really hiding in the wings hoping that nobody calls me by name and asks me to help with something particular. If Christ could give His life so openly, why am I so reluctant to share this good fortune with others? I wish I had all the answers. I think it’s my sinful, human nature that leads me to be fearful of what others might think of me. Fortunately for me, Jesus didn’t let the opinion of others keep Him from giving His life freely for all of us! And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2: 21


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

I Want Christ on My Side Christian

2 Corinthians 4: 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

Last weekend, I was saying my prayers and was concerned about someone who goes out of their way to do things against me. I used to eat over things of this nature, but now I try to turn them over into God’s very capable hands. In my prayer, I asked God to be on my side. That got me to thinking. Am I an “I Want Christ on My Side Christian”?

Asking something like this of God is like asking a parent to love you more and give you your way instead of your sibling. Fortunately for me, God sees beyond my selfish ways and shows me what I was asking. Just like the impartial parent who can’t say they love one child more than the other, giving one child everything they want, but neglecting the needs of the other, God is there for all of us, Christian and otherwise.

Christ is there loving us even when we don’t know Him and His abounding love for us, just the way we are. He loves us even when we can’t be there for ourselves. He loves us even when it feels some people are contrary and are spiteful to us. He also loves us enough to want us to be in healthy relationships. He never lets us down, although we don’t always get things the way we prayed for them.

I had to realize that I needed to change my prayer and my focus. Instead of asking God to be on my side, I needed to ask God to allow me to be on His side and for the willingness to let Him do it. Fortunately for me, He always knows the big picture and what is needed. 2 Corinthians 4: 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

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