2013 can be a really great year for all who are with Christ instead of against Him. You might be wondering if you attend a church, or have gone to church over the years, attneded a Bible STudy, been Baptized, etc., how this might apply to you and others.
I am always looking back at my journey and seeing through it just what kept me away from the cross instead of heading towards it. I had been told all my life that I was a Christian because of going to church, being baptized, or being not that bad a person but believing in God. Why would I need to change if I was a Christian? After all don't everyone who calls themself a Christian go to heaven?
Jesus words were very clear back when He spoke them just as they are very clear today "You will know them by their fruits." Having t-shirts, Christain items, and Christian music does not by any means make anyone a Christian. Keith Green made it pretty clear years ago when he said "Going to church no more makes you a Christian, than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger." The same applies for anyone thinking they know Jesus, or God.
I wish today that when I was living like the world that people would have told me the truth "Pete, you aren't a Christian!" Why? Because then I might have changed and become one. We are by no means the Holy Spirit and only the holy Spirit can convict someone. However; the Holy Spirit will use us to tell others the truth instead of the lie that they have bought in to. According to scripture, Christians are to be Holy, pure, and righteous. This does not mean only in certain areas of their lives, but in all areas of their lives. I have witnessed clergy, leaders in churches and people calling themselves Christians justify cussing, drinking, lying, lusting, and so forth make excuse and justify why it's okay for them. Is this truth? Not accordign to scripture.
In Romans 2 Paul makes it pretty clear that before we can help anyone by thelling them what they are doing wrong, then we need to have our own lives right and above approach, David states in psalm 51 that He needs to have a right Spirit and a broken and contrite heart before he can teach the sinners the error of their ways (Paraphrased). So, look in the mirror. Is there anything that is not right in your life? Anything that is not Holy, pure or righteous. If there is then you are experiencing God's grace, and you can hit your knees and repent. He is giving you that opportunity to start clean and with a fresh slate. Now, (Don't go out looking for someone) If someone who professes to be a Christian is doing anything that is not right with God, then tell them out of love that they aren't a Christian because of what is in their life. If they do not recieve it and get upset, then they need the Holy Spirit in their lives and have assumed they have Him abiding in them. The Holy Spirit would never allow a Christian to continue in sin. We need to take up our cross (As Jesus told us to) and become who Christ died for. We need to love as Christ did and tell those who are religious the truth. Jesus told the Religious that they were sons of Abraham and not God. If Christ is in us then we will do as He did, and the truth will set them free~
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