The life of faith is like a race that we need to run with perseverance... Laying aside all weights and sins that so easily entangle us. Now faith is the "under force" of things expected because of hope, and the tested proof of accomplishments that are not discerned by eyes. Since we are undergirded by the unlimited power of the merciful kindness of God, run with confidence the race that is set before us. Faith is not the performance of a perfectly run race, but a race of the handicapped who are totally dependent on God for the outcome.
"O praise the LORD, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us; the Truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise ye the LORD." Psalm 117 ---
"And she shall bring forth a Son, And thou shalt call His Name Jesus; for HE shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21.
Jesus never invited any one to become a "Christian". Huh?
Are you having trouble with this statement? Please stop and meditate on this.
Jesus met people where they were and challenged them to follow Him; and He did this by letting them know that their choice to follow would connect them not only to Him, but it would connect their life work, love for each other and humility ....as powerful connectors of people to Him. Notice this prime example: To a bunch of fishermen the challenge went out like this: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!" Their former occupation that only connected them to daily personal survival, now would be refocused to affect the lives of others for Eternity.
There is a possibility that we have shifted the focus from the "Savior" to the "Saved" as the means of Salvation -- In the congregations there is subliminal but overwhelming, personally compelling message - "Wear what we wear, eat what and where we eat, talk like we talk, walk like we walk, listen to what we listen to, like what we like, love what we love and love like we love and you shall be accepted and possibly saved" ... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten people that whosoever believes in them should not perish, but have everlasting life". Joke 3:16
"Christian: those who borrow life from Christ, the anointed":
In the early Ecclesia/Church (called out assembly), the focus was following the preaching, and teaching of "Jesus" and loving each other. Antioch, was where we found the first snap shot of the "Christian" name pinned on the believing followers, -- there, the called out assembly gathered together to watch Barnabas train up Saul (as his conversion led Him to be called Paul because he followed Jesus passionately), they were first called Christians in Antioch.
Note: They did not call themselves Christians.
I truly apologize to those around me who have been compelled to come to Church to see me and others perform as Christians, while our occupations suffer with the absence of the living connection with and to Jesus. I have a sneaking suspicion that the "sacred and the secular" concoction to a separate lifestyle did not come from God haters but from those who may have been embarrassed by believers behavior outside of the gathering.
Though there is no doubt that this "Sacred and Secular" indoctrination was spawned in Hell. It has become a disappointing philosophical excuse for the absence of a validating faith that treats every day as a Holy day, every bush as a burning bush, and every honest occupation as a high calling of God. The assembly time was to be a place to encourage, restore and reset the hearts of followers to live fully alive for Christ ALL THE TIME, EVERYWHERE and sharing JESUS WITH EVERYONE.There is no secular only sinful and sacred is the life given to follow Jesus in the ministry of His Love's redemption of whosoever.
The Church is the Body of Christ - does that Body dress in an overcoat, gloves, ski mask and dark glasses except during the Meeting times?
That type of living is usually done by the thief!
Love don't steal,
HLFA,
Jeff