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A Morning View By the Wood Stove

I really struggle with what I see and experience in our world today.
I say this and am really not sure it is the world as much as it is our country. 
I guess it is not so much our country, but with those who proclaim and profess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I realize in my setting I am making blanket statements, so this is not intended as an attack on anyone, but as a thought provoking moment for everyone. 

My heart has been impressed with proclaiming what it means to be a Christian. I grew up with a checklist and if I did not check the proper blanks, I was not a good Christian. I have found out that living that way is full of a bunch of lies and a dangerous understanding of perceived salvation. I believed that there was no way God could ever forgive me for what I have done and who I have been. Again a dangerous lie. I see and read comments people make about issues, government, religion and their faith in Jesus Christ and I cross reference what is said with how Jesus lived and I often see two different ways of living. I see people projecting their own image and likeness on who Jesus is and not allowing themselves to live into the image and likeness of Jesus projected into who they are. 

I have been through a lot lately. I woke up today thinking of the following scripture. “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:12-13 NLT 

I wonder what friend would lay down their life for me? I also wonder what friend would I lay down my life for? 

Bottom line is that we put too much emphasis on the things of this world and we are missing out on building our future and the future of all we encounter with our Jesus. Jesus lived, Jesus loved, Jesus challenged and rebuked, but Jesus offered grace and redemption. Jesus loves me more than I can ever deserve. I so badly desire to be like Jesus.

By the way, did I mention that Jesus laid down his life for his friends? It just happens to include the whole world, even me. 

So, Christian, are you ready to die for your friend? It may be easy to love them...... 

Peace,
PB


 

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