“…whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 ESV.
We sing the old song,
To be like Jesus
To be like Jesus
On earth I long to be like Him
All through life’s journey
From earth to glory
I only ask, to be like Him
We are taught most of our Christian life to strive to be like the Lord and we should! The only way we can accurately represent Him is to be more like Him, to be Christ-like, to emulate His compassion, mercy and grace. We must point others to Him if we want to win this world.
But we are NOT called to BE Jesus. We are not Judge, we aren’t even the jury; we are His hands and His feet, spreading the Good News of His death, burial and resurrection. We are to remind the lost that He came to seek and to save them, to give them hope and life more abundantly.
We are not to be spiritual critics, to feel as if because we know The Way that we have the right to take over His job. If you want to drive people away then continue on that path. But if you want to bring them in, then SHOW THEM Jesus.
Don’t consume your time with worrying about the lives of others in the Church. We have a big enough job with our own selves! We are our own full-time job.
Nor is it mine.
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
Look how plain the Word of God is in this situation. Keep away from people that stir up trouble.
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” Titus 3:10.
Again, have nothing to do with them if they cannot live according to the Word.
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19. (emphasis mine)
One who is continually splitting hairs over things that don’t matter for eternity only creates division in the Body. The Bible says to remove the plank out of your own eye if you want to see the splinter in someone else.
If we submit ourselves to God, concentrate on our own clean heart and right spirit, we will then be more apt to pray for those that are struggling instead of whispering, gossiping or continually finding fault with them.
Would we want anyone other than Jesus Christ to stand in judgment of our faults?
“Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:2-4.
- Have the same love
- Be in one spirit and purpose
- No selfish ambition
- No vain conceit
- With humility
- Consider others better than yourselves
- Look to the interests of others
And if we do these things?
You will never fall and will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom of Jesus.
Sharing with Sunday Stillness, Inside me Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Monday’s Musinga, Modest Monday, Living Proverbs 31, Titus 2sday, Testimony Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesday
Pingback: ROUND-UP FRIDAYS & FAVES... - THE WITTY GODGIRL
Thank you so much for your words! Blessings. ♥
Bless you and thank you for commenting. The Word settles it all doesn’t it? ♥
Called to be LIKE Him. Amen! Thank you as always Holly.
Thank you Lauren and for visiting today. ♥
Thank you Julie, if God gives the Word! ♥
His hands, His feet and not the jury. Wow. You have said a mouthful, God is in control and He doesn’t need our help. We end up judging and being critical and ruin everything. Thank you for visiting!
Love this Sharon, I always want to help God! He just doesn’t think He needs me, lol. Thankful for that. Surrender, surrender surrender. ♥
Pingback: Round Up Fridays and Faves |
Leading, not driving, love that. Also loved your story today. My apologies for being so late in responding to comments this past week. Be blessed!
Good reminder! Our example of the Good Shepherd is Him leading, not driving us from behind like a cattle rustler… Needed this one today…
Yes, YES!
God hears from me on a fairly regular basis – I ask Him, “Are you sure I can’t help You out a little bit?” He always says “NO.” LOL!
We are called to be Jesus ONLY in that we are to surrender to Him, to open ourselves up to the work of the Holy Spirit through us, and to reflect the love and grace He has bestowed upon us.
GOD BLESS!
Amen.
We are not called to be Jesus. We are His hands, His feet not the jury. This is very true. I have seen what playing God does to people, and how it often turns them from God. It is easy to judge people who sin differently from us, who seem to struggle with things we don’t struggle with. I think I have done that before and it didn’t go well. Now I try to be as careful as possible, relying on the Spirit’s help so I don’t turn people against the God who loves them.
Than you Ma for sharing this convicting post.
Blessings to you and your’s.
Say it sister!
Woot Woot! Gotta love this!
” We are not Judge, we aren’t even the jury; we are His hands and His feet, spreading the Good News of His death, burial and resurrection.”
Best thing I have heard all day!
So true, Nannette, so true. It just might be something I need to repeat over and over to myself. “I’m called to be LIKE Jesus, not BE Jesus.”
Oh this, is so lovely and convicting! Thank you for loading it full of Scripture and correcting the misuses and this common myth. Amen, amen!
Amen and AMEN!
Oh! The damage we do when we attempt to play God. I saw somewhere recently, “Do not judge me because my sin is different than yours,” and that has stuck with me. So many times we only judge harshly those things we ourselves do not struggle with.
Thank you for this reminder and encouragement to share the love of Christ with the world and let God be Judge.
Praying for you and your ministry,
Kris
Nannette, amen! What a great post! Only when we have seen legalism and unfair judgment hurting people do we walk a mile in their shoes and pray for the Holy Spirit to take authority with all the fruit of love, joy, peace, kindness, long suffering….many blessings to you ❤️
I can’t read as well as I used to, b/c my brain isn’t working very well any more. Heading to heaven, BTW. Anyhow, I ALWAYS like to see you and your husband on these blog pieces. Always make me smile. AND you’ve been a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing so clearly. Again, you’re a blessing.