Stagnant Christians

But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:9

I love the Lord with all my heart, but do my actions convey that to others? Do I pretend I didn’t hear things that are putdowns of others? Do I neglect to stand up for those who are oppressed? Do I fail to tell others how God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins?

I wished my actions spoke better for how much I appreciate all the Lord has done for me and my family. I wished I were a better example to others. It doesn’t have to stop here, though. God has these eye-opening experiences where we take stock of what we are doing. He has them so we can be moved to try to be better examples of how Christ works in our lives!

He doesn’t want us to be Stagnant Christians, happy because we know Jesus, but not enough to show it through our actions. Are my actions denying my faith in Christ? But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:9

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.

Compassionate Christian

Jesus wept. John11:35

When I usually read this, I think about it being the shortest verse of the Bible. Do I think of how significant these two words are? Not until today. I realized that this verse is showing what a compassionate person/Savior Christ is and He would want us to be the same way.

It’s easy for us to kiss the boo-boo of a little child, trying to comfort their tears away, but are we Compassionate Christians? Unfortunately, I know that all too often, I’m not. Do I hear of injustices that happen in our society and turn a blind eye, because I’m tired of hearing all that negative stuff? Do I take the risks to challenge the opinions of the norm to stand out against atrocities that happen in the world? Do I sit idly by as others comment on how the plight of many is due to their own inability to make good choices, to earn a decent pay check, to have good work ethic, and list goes on?

Do I treat others with the respect that they deserve? I know that when I was overweight, others would ignore my opinions and treat me like my feelings didn’t count because of my size. Do I treat others with that same respect even when they aren’t of the same faith, culture, financial situation, etc.? I wish I could say I always do, but probably haven’t more than I have. I strive to be a more Compassionate Christian and a better example of my faith in Christ. And He [Jesus] said, woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11:46

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.

Comfort Level Christian

And He [Jesus] said, woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11:46

It reminds me of when we lived in Colorado. We would see minorities working late into the evening, on the weekends, and in extreme weather conditions that we thought their employers might not work themselves. We felt strongly that their employers also didn’t pay these hard working employees overtime, something their employers more than likely got for their work behind a desk out of the harsh weather conditions. Again, it is our opinion that they didn’t get a decent wage, something that would be unheard of by their employers, who reaped big profits from the hard work of these employees.

Do we do the same in our lives? Do we ask others to do things we wouldn’t consider doing or wouldn’t consider putting up with? As an overeater, I want to make sure I have plenty of food available, even though I’m almost at my goal weight. Do I expect missionaries, the homeless, those in other countries to settle for the handful of rice or meager food doled out to them? Am I giving minimally when I hear of a food drive or do I give that others shouldn’t have to do without what I would want for myself?

Do I share my faith with others or do I leave it to someone else more suited for that than I am? Actually, if the truth be told, I do this all too often and struggle with this one. Fortunately for me, Jesus doesn’t say, “Debbie is a Comfort Level Christian, so I shouldn’t go out of My comfort level to take her to heaven with Me.” And He [Jesus] said, woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11:46

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.

Weak Christian!

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38

I’m only five pounds from my goal weight. You would think that I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that, wouldn’t you? Well, obviously, that’s not the case. I guess I’m just weak, weak, weak!

I was at a holiday luncheon. I had eaten enough to feel satisfied of all the foods that are healthy for me, but was that enough? No! I overheard someone else say that the carrot cake was wonderful. I don’t usually eat cake and other sweets because I’m hypoglycemic and refined sugars make me cranky.

Did that knowledge stop me? No! I went ahead and ate the cake. About a third of the way through the carrot cake, I realized that the person who made the comment didn’t really know good carrot cake, because I felt that this was mediocre carrot cake, at best. Did that stop me? No! I went ahead and ate the whole thing knowing it wasn’t even that fantastic.

Fortunately for me, Jesus gave His life for Weak Christians like me and loves me the way I am and moves me to be better than I am. Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38

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.