-

June 20, 2018 Wednesday

“11  Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 12  For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13  For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.” (2Corinthians 5:11-13 NKJV)



            In a world that sees Jesus as kind and nice and not judging of anyone it is easy for Christians to fall into the same trap. The Church in Corinth was not so much struggling with sin as giving into it. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the terror of the Lord and that God will judge and hold us accountable for our sin.

            It is interesting that in the Gospels Jesus is revealed as being kind to the outsiders, those lost in sin, and those who are fearful of God. But Jesus acts very differently to those who are religious. His messages to the Pharisees the Sadducees and the scribes are hard and we could say incredibly judgmental.

            Paul reminds us as Christians while it is important for us to know God it is also important to be known to God. This requires us to develop a relationship with God and to spend time getting to know God by prayer and reading the Bible.

            Just as we are to be well known to God we are also to be well known by how we live before others. It is not for us to boast or to declare our abilities but it is those who see our lives and are touched by our lives who should boast of us.

            Then Paul makes another comparison which says if we are beside ourselves, if we seem unusual and stand out to the world we do that for God. But to those who are part of the church we have a sound mind for those whose lives we are to touch. By living this way we please and glorify God and are able to help others discover and live a deeper relationship with God.

            Do you have a growing relationship with God? Do you reach out and share God’s grace with those who are lost and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ to a deeper life in Jesus? Do you live in such a way others will speak highly about how you live for God?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
April 3, 2018 Tuesday “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there , and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, an
Read more
-
September 3, 2017 Sunday             Even after a long Saturday I was able to go to Asbury and receive Communion and to worship my Lord and My Love.   We stayed for Sunday School and Peggy had a great lesson from Dr Kalas’ book Parables From the Backside Volume 2 .   A great class, a great teacher and a great book.               In the afternoon I tried to sleep but just was able to rest some.   VERY worn out by being so busy but it was good.   Bonnie remembers when we would visit Gramps, her grandfather; he would say that he would enjoy the memory of our visit for weeks.   Now I understand what he meant.   So many wonderful memories nourish me every day.
Read more
-
May 19, 2017 Looking back             As weeks turned to months the memories grew and even connected together.  A dark memory from my time in the Navy connected with a dark memory from my childhood.  Each one as I explained to my counselor and to Bonnie had a “ghost” with it.  A person who seemed to haunt my life.  Watching the news connected to a memory and suddenly I could smell, taste and see the memory and it became more real than my daily life.              At the same time I was growing weaker and the pain in the body was increasing.  There was a general weakness that began in my fingers and toes and moved upward more rapidly in my legs than arms.  The cramps became an agony and happened at least two times a night.  Lasting for about an hour each time I became more and more sleep deprived even with my C-Pap machine.             I contacted my Staff Pastor Parish Relations person and the District Superintendent to let them know about the trouble I was having as I was sl
Read more