A Lesson for Christians
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
I know the Talmud is not a Christian book but the principle given here is very pertinent to Christians. Be patient and show love to those who are around you. Be patient and show love to those you witness too.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son. Think about it. God loved each person on this earth enough to send His son into the world to pay the price for our sins.
God does not want anyone to end up in hell that’s why He sent His Son.
The Apostle Paul states,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
While we were still sinners separated from God Christ died for us. That’s the depth of His love.
Paul writing about love states,
If we are showing the attributes mentioned by Paul about love, then we will not push anyone away.
I have met many Christians throughout my life that like Abraham pushed an unbeliever away from God.
The best example of this happening is in the Gay community. Gay’s Lesbians and others in the transgendered community are nervous if not outright fearful of entering a so called evangelical church. This because many calling themselves Christians have branded their lifestyle a “special sin” whether they mean to do it or not.
Matthew records this incident with what could be called “special sinners” of Jesus day.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:10-13.
Let me make things clear here. There is no such thing as a special sin. Sin is falling short of what God wants for your life. Sin separates us from God and sends people to hell be they gay or strait.
A pastor or evangelist who has not accepted Christ as their personal saviour or who is doing things contrary to God’s will is as guilty of sin as anyone walking out on the street.
People everywhere need to hear of the love of God and we cannot do it by pushing people away.
We cannot be standing up with placards denouncing same sex marriage or homosexuality in a secular democracy the likes of which we in the west live in.
We cannot be protesting against anything that is lawful in a secular democracy as long as it is bringing no harm to people or not restricting their rights.
We need to be sitting down with those who have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Be they gay, strait, atheist, or those of other faiths.
We need to extend the hand of love and open a dialogue with them. Listening respectfully to what they have to say while expressing our opinions in a respectful way.
Only then can we truly said to be doing the work of God.
Remember the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Question;
What is your sermon telling people about you today?
Please think about it.
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
I know the Talmud is not a Christian book but the principle given here is very pertinent to Christians. Be patient and show love to those who are around you. Be patient and show love to those you witness too.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son. Think about it. God loved each person on this earth enough to send His son into the world to pay the price for our sins.
God does not want anyone to end up in hell that’s why He sent His Son.
The Apostle Paul states,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
While we were still sinners separated from God Christ died for us. That’s the depth of His love.
Paul writing about love states,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.If we are showing the attributes mentioned by Paul about love, then we will not push anyone away.
I have met many Christians throughout my life that like Abraham pushed an unbeliever away from God.
The best example of this happening is in the Gay community. Gay’s Lesbians and others in the transgendered community are nervous if not outright fearful of entering a so called evangelical church. This because many calling themselves Christians have branded their lifestyle a “special sin” whether they mean to do it or not.
Matthew records this incident with what could be called “special sinners” of Jesus day.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:10-13.
Let me make things clear here. There is no such thing as a special sin. Sin is falling short of what God wants for your life. Sin separates us from God and sends people to hell be they gay or strait.
A pastor or evangelist who has not accepted Christ as their personal saviour or who is doing things contrary to God’s will is as guilty of sin as anyone walking out on the street.
People everywhere need to hear of the love of God and we cannot do it by pushing people away.
We cannot be standing up with placards denouncing same sex marriage or homosexuality in a secular democracy the likes of which we in the west live in.
We cannot be protesting against anything that is lawful in a secular democracy as long as it is bringing no harm to people or not restricting their rights.
We need to be sitting down with those who have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Be they gay, strait, atheist, or those of other faiths.
We need to extend the hand of love and open a dialogue with them. Listening respectfully to what they have to say while expressing our opinions in a respectful way.
Only then can we truly said to be doing the work of God.
Remember the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Question;
What is your sermon telling people about you today?
Please think about it.
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