Have I Become a Weak, Two-Faced Christian?

 And [Jesus] answered and said to them, As it is written,[Isaiah,] the prophet [has] said well [about] you hypocrites, [a.k.a. someone who says one thing and does another,] This people [honor] Me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. [However,] they do worship Me in vain, teaching the commandments of men, for doctrines. Mark 7:6-7 KJV Bible [paraphrased.]

Sure, I say that the Lord God allowed me an 80+ pound weight loss, and that He has allowed the vast majority of it to stay off for over 40 years, but that doesn't make me a loyal Christian. All this happened through the Lord God's mercy, and not by me. In fact, all those many years ago, I used to pray, asking the Lord God to help me lose the weight, but it never happened, or some came off, temporarily, but I quickly regained it. It wasn't until I gave up and said to the Lord, "If You ever want me to be thin, You'll have to do it, because I can't, and I give up!" And you know what? He did it, starting that very same afternoon. None of this speaks to me being a loyal Christian, but it speaks to the Lord God, Who is all merciful!

Although I profess to be a Christian, do my words say one thing, and my actions say another? If I'm being honest, I'd have to admit to being a weak, two-faced Christian! It pains me to say so, since I love the Lord dearly, not because He allowed this great weight loss, but because He first love me, even when I'm a sinner. "*But God [commends, a.k.a. demonstrates,] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 KJV Bible

But do my actions demonstrate my love for the Lord? I am far too quick to avoid situations where I share my faith in Him, when I'm face-to-face, with another person. I say I am a Christian, but I get impatient with those I care about, and I don't show the same amount of compassion for them, as the Lord shows for me. I'm so sorry, but do I change my actions and my attitudes to be more aligned with what the Lord God wants? Unfortunately, not as much as I should. This post brings to mind, the many things that I have to be prayerful about!

I've Become a Stiff-Necked Arrogant Christian

 "But they, our ancestors, became arrogant, and stiff-necked, and they didn't obey Your commands." Nehemiah 9:16 NIV Bible

The Lord God has done so many miracles in my life, like His allowing an 80+ pound weight loss, and for the vast majority of it to stay off for over 40 years. Do I take this to heart, well, maybe not as often as I should.

I take the miracle that He did in my life for granted, and let it slide to the back shelf, and instead, I focus on other things that catch my attention at the time. Well, the Lord God, should never be put on the back shelf. I don't know how I could take Him for granted like I have. By doing this, it's like I'm trying to take all the credit for what He has done for me, thinking that whatever's on my mind at the time, is much more important than what He might want me to do!

I'm ashamed by my arrogance, and stubbornness! But just talking about it with you, isn't significant enough. I owe the Lord God a sincere and heart-felt apology. And an apology is just a bunch of words, if I don't really let the Lord God change my heart, to be more attentive to His needs!

A Christian Who Doesn't Live By Their Ethics

 For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals, [a.k.a. behaves,] dishonestly. Psalm 125:16 NIV Bible

Have I been a Christian, who doesn't live by their ethics? If I'm being truthful, I have to admit that I have! Some years ago, I used to totally be into collecting and redeeming coupons, in order to save a little here and there from my grocery bill. 

One time, I wanted to purchase some canned pineapple, and I had a ten cents off coupon for canned pineapple. Unfortunately, the brand that the coupon was for, was much more expensive that the off brands, even if I had used the coupon. So, I deceitfully put the off brand can of pineapple in my cart, and stuck the ten cent off coupon in the middle of the stack of coupons I was going to redeem at the check-out counter.

The person at the register was unaware, and gave me the ten cent discount on the off brand pineapple, even when I didn't deserve it. But the way the Holy Spirit works in my life, is He nudges on my heart, and let me know that whether the lady at the cash register knew what I had done, the Lord God knew, and so did I. I quickly stopped her and told her that I had given her a coupon for a totally different brand of pineapple. She said not to worry about it, and wasn't going to add ten cents more to my total. Then, I had to explain to her how sorry I was, but that I knew I had turned in the wrong coupon, and I wasn't living according to my Christian ethics. How humiliating! This experience periodically comes back to me, but it also helps me try to focus on being a better example of the Christian the Lord God wants me to be. No amount of money is worth compromising your Christian ethics!


I'm Still a Rebellious Christian

 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against His commands, His hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors. 1 Samuel 12:15 NIV Bible

Well, first of all, I don't obey the Lord, because I'm fearful that He's going to be against me. This passage is really from the Old Testament, where His people were supposed to follow only Him, as He commanded them. But, being rebellious people, they turned to false gods, and sacrificed their own children to these false gods. That's why the Lord was against them.

The thing is, I'm still a Rebellious Christian. I will do what I think is best, or what I want and put what God wants me to do on the back burner. Of course these things seem important to me at the time, but is anything really more important that following what to Lord wants us to do? 

In particular, when I let my eating get sloppy, that usually means that I'm not so focused on what the Lord wants in my life. I recently ate a large plate of fried potatoes and sausage, thinking, "I always eat so healthy, overdoing it this time won't hurt!" Well, I was wrong! I was up all night with diarrhea! The Lord knew what was best for me, and what wasn't compatible with my body, but did I listen? No, I'm really sorry that I didn't take the time to prayerfully ask the Lord about eating all of that, the way that I do when I'm more focused on His will for me. What a faith lesson!

Reluctant Christians

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Bible

Years ago, I went on a mission trip with our church's youth group to a neighboring poor country. The vast majority of those who went were helping to build cinder block homes for those who had been previously living in temporary housing made out of wood pallets. They used to have frequent fires in those pallet communities, because they would string lights from pallet shack, to pallet shack, like people string Christmas lights, and the pallet shacks would burn down. They were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to live in a one room, 12 x 16 foot cinder brick house, smaller than most of our front rooms, that would allow them to be safe from the fires!

It was a very inspiring trip! I gave of my money to go there, and my time, but was I truly giving? Sadly to say, I wasn't. Toward the end of this mission trip, some of the other members of our church that participated, and some of the youth, decided to leave some of their belongings behind for the people of this poor community. They had seen how the families used a barrel of water for all their family's water needs, like: drinking, cooking,  washing hands, washing laundry, and bathing. They eagerly awaited the next week, when the rickety water truck, would come and deliver fresh water. Our church learned this the hard way. Some of the teens and adults had been washing the cement off their trowels, until the future owner of the home reluctantly came out and explained how this harmed his family's water supply.

After witnessing this, and so many other things from these very giving people who gave so freely of what little they had, we wanted to share with them. It was a wonderful idea, and I was proud of the teens, who thought of it! I went to my suitcase, and took out most of my things, and clothes, but I looked at one nightgown, and decided not to include it, because it was my favorite. Then, the Holy Spirit weighed heavy on my heart, when I realized how selfish I was being. When Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross for me, and for you, He didn't say, I'm willing to give of what feels comfortable to me, but I'm not so sure about risking My life. He willingly gave all for us! But I wasn't willing to give my favorite nightgown! I had become a Reluctant Christian, and I hadn't even realized it! After prayerful contemplation, I went through my suitcase again, and set aside to donate everything that I didn't need for our trip home, including my favorite night gown. Sure, I ended up giving it to others, but I'm very ashamed with how reluctant I was to part with a worldly thing!


Are We Slip-Sliding Christians?

When I said,  "My foot is slipping," Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. Psalm 94:18 NIV Bible.

I was thinking about how I was slipping back into old patterns of eating more of  snack than I know I'm supposed to.  Then, the Lord God had it on my heart, that I wasn't only slip-sliding back into old eating patterns, but I generally is related to when I'm getting more lax with my faith and my prayers.

Sure, I still pray and read the Bible daily, but sometimes I find I'm rushing through the prayers, on auto-pilot, or I'm not really focused on what I'm praying. It's bad enough to think that at times, I slip-slide with my eating, but it horrifies me that I'm a Slip-Sliding Christian. as well.

I've been trying to be prayerful about ways to be more in the moment with my Lord, when I pray or read the Bible. One thing I've identified is to do both of these when I'm not rushed to do something else, and when I'm not overly tired. I like to read the Bible before I go to bed, but I find myself dosing off, or just not focused and I end up reading the same passage over and over again, because I'm not totally sure what I had just read. I'm trying to read the Bible a little earlier, but it's a work in progress. Fortunately, the Lord is there to support me, when I start slip-sliding again! 

It Looks Like I'm a Kick the Can Down the Road Christian!

  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew [language,] Saul, Saul, Why [do] you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks. Acts 26:14

To be totally honest with you, I selected this passage for my post, because it had the word 'kick' in it.  But the more I contemplated this passage, the more I realized it was an extremely appropriate Bible verse for this! 

The basic meaning of the Post title was focused on how I keeping kicking the can down the road and put off doing some of the things the Lord God wants me to do. Before I got too far into writing this, I thought that I really should look up the Biblical meaning of kicking against the pricks. Although I thought pricks meant things with poky, sharp points, like needles, but the search said that it can figuratively be used to describe: resistance to God's will. This Bible verse hits the nail on the head!

I get too involved in what I want to do, or doing what I think the Lord wants me to do, that I'm not always open to what the Lord God really wants me to do! So, I apologize that I'm behind in some of the blog posts. But I also kick the can down the road with my prayers, my turning my food, my body, and stress over into the Lord God's very capable hands. Ultimately, that leads to nights of stress, instead of the calm, sweet peaceful sleep the Lord affords us, when we put all our worries in His gracious hands!

Insecure Christian

About Benjamin He said, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders."   Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV Bible 

When the Lord God goes to such great lengths to let us know through the bible that He is there for us, and we are to rest secure in Him, why do some people like me, fret and find ourselves insecure, not trusting that He will be with us through the thick and the thin?

He tells us this and shows us this over and over in our daily lives. He was there with us during our darkest days of the pandemic, but do we rest secure in Him, or do we revert back to being insecure about whether He's going to be there with us in whatever next big event happens in our lives?

I know I waver and find myself to me an Insecure Christian lots more than I'd like to admit. I wonder what the future will hold. I wonder this and I wonder that, but I forget to focus myself on my Lord God right before me, letting me know that I am also beloved, and should rest secure in His arms: for He is there with me, through all things!

Fair Weather Christian

 Don't take advantage of each other, but fear [respect] your God. I Am the Lord your God. Leviticus 25:17 NIV Bible

So, not long ago, I wrote a post about Rainy Day Christians, but realize that there are times when I'm more of a Fair Weather Christian, which means that I might only be focused on doing what the Lord God wants of me when things are good.

In pondering this further, that means that I'm taking advantage of the Lord God's forgiving grace, by going off in my own direction, when the mood suits me. He never does that. He's always there through both the good and the bad and everything in between!

It saddens me to think, I've been a Fair Weather Christian. When Jesus Christ was on the cross giving His life for me, you, and everyone, He didn't say, "Well, the mood doesn't suit me today, to give My life as a ransom for all. I think I'll just wait for a day that's more convenient and suits Me better."

Sometimes when I'm faced with an opportunity to share my faith with others, I find myself quickly reverting back to being fearful about how others will respond with me once I do this. I let my personal concerns interfere with what the Lord God wants of me. I'm embarrassed to say this happens, but it does. I think I'm beyond that, but when the opportunity comes up again, I'm back in that mode thinking that maybe someone else may be better suited for sharing their faith with this person than me. 

Fortunately, for me, the Lord God isn't a Fair Weather God, and He is always there for me regardless of how many times that I back-step and loose my resolve to be a better example of how the Lord works in my life. I am very blessed that He reminds me when I start to drift away, and He quickly forgives my sins when I ask Him.



Rainy Day Christian

 "I Am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God,  "Who is, Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8 NIV Bible

When I looked up the meaning of Rainy Day Friendship, it said that it referred to a friendship that is especially strong and reliable during difficult times. It refers to a true friend who is always there when you need them. 

Well, that's what the Lord God is in my life. No matter how bad things get, how many millions of times I get distracted by the world, the Lord God is always there welcoming me back into the fold.

But am I a Rainy Day Christian? Am I there doing the Lord God's will, by sharing my faith in Him with others? Am I tolerant and patient with those who have different points of view on: faith, politics, and social issues? 

Am I focused on the Lord God in both the good times and the bad, or do I just turn to Him, when I need something or I'm scared and worried? 

I wish I could look in a mirror and always be able to say that I am a Rainy Day Christian, focusing on the Lord God and His ideals, regardless of what is going on in my life, but if I'm truly honest, I can't say that's always or even mostly the case. Fortunately for me, the Lord God loves me despite my sinful, self-absorbed nature, and He moves me to try to be a Rainy Day Christian, there for Him at all times.

Have I Become a Hater of the Haters, Christian?

 Too long I have lived among those who hate peace. Psalm 120:6

When I was overweight in elementary school, I felt the reason I wasn't chosen for the teams was because of my weight and it felt like those people hated me! It was a terrible gut-wrenching feeling, and I was crushed! I think this experience possibly makes me more sensitive to others who are discriminated against!

That's why it bothers me so much when I hear how others hate so many people who are different from themselves, whether for racial, cultural, economic status, homelessness, political, gender, faith, or pandemic masking issues. It also bothers me that some of these haters of others, show hate to people who show empathy to these others. 

I find myself at the point of becoming a hater of the haters, Christian, but that would make me stooping to the same level. Fortunately, God has it on my heart that I am to turn this situation and how I feel about the haters of others into His very capable hands, because we are told by the Lord not to judge others. 

Focused on Other Things Christian

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. Luke, Chapter 17, verses 5-6.

This passage seems especially appropriate since I’m a “Focused on Other Things Christian,” thinking about selling my house, finding a job and buying another house. If I were really paying attention to what I’m writing, I would realize my faith is weak, because I am worrying and having sleepless nights.
I need to focus on God and things will fall into place. He works everything out so beautifully in timing, if I have the patience to let Him.

 Since I've posted soooo many different Types of Christians, I'm empowering Readers to click on the Types they are interested in instead of waiting a week until one comes out.

 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.

Since I have soooo many different posts for this blog and have left a multitude of links, I have felt led to do Biblical Research to see if there really are inconsistencies in the Bible and if so, are they even significant? You can find the results of these Biblical Research Projects on either of these two blogs I felt led to create: Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com/  and Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/  Please share these blog links with those who might benefit. Thanks! Debbie

Bird in the Hand Christian II

Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And He said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 23-27.

This reminds me of when I was heavy and there were people that weren’t really friendly to me. When I lost the weight, all of a sudden these same people were much friendlier. I didn’t really want to be close friends with them at that point. They had an opportunity to be friendly with me before when I was heavy, and they hadn’t chosen to.
Jesus may be telling us something very similar about putting off our decision to become active Christians. If we don’t acknowledge Him when He calls us, maybe He won’t remember us when we get around to asking Him for help.
Something unexpected like an accident might happen where we don’t ever get another chance.  If I’m a “Bird in the Hand Christian,” I need to develop my relationship with God now, while I have the chance.
Here is a related passage:
*Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it. Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 13-14.

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.

Once a Christian Always a Christian Guarantee

And one of the company said unto Him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.  And He said unto him, Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you?  And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  Luke, Chapter 12, verses 13-21.

Our belief in God isn’t a “Once a Christian-Always a Christian Guarantee” that once you have it, you always have it regardless of your actions.  If it were, people could become a Christian, go rob a bank and shoot someone because they need their next fix, not worrying because they think they have Salvation regardless of their actions.
It’s like planting a garden using seeds.  That gardener’s energy and enthusiasm are there after they have hoed the rows, preparing them for the seeds to be planted.  He carefully plants the seeds and waters them regularly, just as a person who starts a relationship with God has energy and enthusiasm for their new-found faith.
If that gardener were to go on vacation right after planting his garden and expected to find fully grown plants when he returns, he would be greatly surprised!  The garden would be overgrown and the vegetables would be strangled by the weeds while the remnants of the garden would still be there.  This is similar to what happens to the Christian who doesn’t tend to their faith regularly by making it a DAILY part of their life.
That Christian’s faith will wither away, strangled by the weeds of worldly living while the remnants of that faith will still be there.  Our faith needs constant cultivation and care just as the garden does in order to grow and flourish.

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.

Self-Serving Christian

But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.  Luke, Chapter 12, verses 9-10.

Sometimes I feel awkward talking to others about my faith in God.  I’m afraid they will shy away from me the same way I want to hide in my house when a particular religious group that has a belief that isn’t compatible with mine, comes knocking on my door.  I hate it that God sees all the times I’m afraid to risk on His behalf.  I want to be a strong Christian He can depend on, not the “Self-serving Christian” who is worried about what others think.

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.

Sunday Christian

And it came to pass, as He spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked.  But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it.  Luke, Chapter 11, verses 27-28.

God lets me know in this passage that it’s not good enough to hear the Word of God.  We are supposed to live the life that He suggests.  It reminds me of teaching math to children.  I would explain a new math concept to nodding heads.  I would ask if anyone had a question, but they rarely did.  I thought they really understood the concept, but as I walked around the room, I found that although the children thought they understood the concept, they weren’t applying it and were lost.
It’s pretty easy to hear things in church and feel it’s impacted your life.  If we are just “Sunday Christians” cussing at other motorists, yelling at our kids or being rude to others the rest of the week, we may not be living our lives as examples of how God works in us.
Here is a related passage:
*For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.  Matthew, Chapter 12, verse 50.

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.

Self-Righteous Christian

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him, and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in My Name receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.  Luke, Chapter 9, verses 46-48.

Being a “Self-righteous Christian” too many times to mention, this passage reminds us that we shouldn’t get caught up in determining how great we are for all the good things we do in God’s Name.  That isn’t what it’s all about.  God says, “For he who is least among you all, the same shall be great.”  I need to make sure that I’m focused on living the life God wants for me rather than trying to look pious to others by attaining religious status.

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.

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.

Holiday Christian

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke, Chapter 2, verse 7.
Royalty usually are shown living in castles or expensive mansions.  I think it’s difficult for today’s royalty to move around without lots of Paparazzi following them everywhere.  It’s to the point that they can’t even go for a walk without people snapping their picture.  Customers buy up these magazines, because they are in awe of royalty or celebrities, of one kind or another.
Jesus came into this world in very humble surroundings.  There was no fanfare or notoriety, unless you figure an angel notifying the shepherds and a star guiding the wise men, fits into this category.  Jesus lived a humble life.  He didn’t live in a castle with great wealth and servants even though He could have chosen to.  In fact, He didn’t even own property. 
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.  Matthew, Chapter 8, verse 20.

He could have chosen to lead the good life, but chose poverty and persecution for me.  Do I deserve it?  No way!  Nothing I ever do will be anything close to earning all that Jesus went though on my behalf.  The only thing I can do is make sure that I’m not just a “Holiday Christian,” only focusing on God or only attending church on religious holidays.  The only way I can thank Him is by trying to live my life as an example, so others can come to know Him as I do.

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.

Good Christian

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  and He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in out of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.  Mark, Chapter 12, verses 41-44.

I get very self-righteous thinking about how I do nice things for people and donate to the needy.  I was on a work mission with our church’s youth group in Juarez, Mexico.  Someone in the group told us how they were going to leave behind their clothes to donate to the people of that community.  I thought about it awhile and decided it was a nice thing to do.  So, I looked at things I didn’t mind donating.  Basically, they were the things more worn and less desirable.  Then this passage flashed back in my mind, and I realized I was only giving to others out of my excess where it still felt comfortable.  I was not giving to others out of my need.  It took me a long time and a lot of prayer with God as I agonized over this-mostly because my favorite nightgown was in my suitcase.
If I had just left a few things to donate to the people of the community, no one would have been the wiser.  If I had donated everything I owned except my favorite nightgown, no one would have even known, but God and I knew.  The thing that bothered me the most was how long it took before I was finally willing to leave all my things for the needy.  It showed me how worldly I had become.  That certain possessions mattered to me, appalled me, because I had always prided myself in being a “Good Christian.”
Obviously, we can fool ourselves.  I’m so thankful that God provided this opportunity for personal growth.  I still find it easier to give to others out of the excesses of my time, money and possessions.  I have to be reminded that I’m not truly giving until I give out of my need, or at least closer to it.

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.

Just When It’s Convenient Christian

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first Commandment of all?  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the Commandments is: Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first Commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  There is none other Commandment greater than these.  Mark, Chapter 12, verses 28-31.
I’m reminded that I can’t be a “Just When It’s Convenient Christian.”  I’m to make my faith a priority.  God wants me to treat others nicely, even if…Even if they are rude to me…Even if they get the job I wanted…Even if they have more money than I do and didn’t deserve it…Even if they take advantage of me…Even if they are hateful…Even if they talk down to me…Even if they make really poor lifestyle choices…Even if they cut in front of me on the freeway…Even if they don’t believe the way I do…Even if they are a telemarketer and don’t let me off the phone when I want to get off.  (I really have to work on this one!)  If I get caught up in being resentful, rude or hateful, I’m not being the example that God wants me to be of how He works in my life.

Here is a related passage:

*Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great Commandment in the Law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great Commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.  Matthew, Chapter 22, verses 35-40.

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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