Labels- What are you ?
Have you ever asked yourself, Just what am I ? What is my purpose here on this earth ? Why do I have to feel and go through the emotions that I experience ?
Well the Good news is that this particular question has been asked ever since the start of time.
You were created to be more than a label !
We all have them, Mother, Daughter, Wife, Employee , Boss, and on and on the list of worldly labels goes.
You have one label and that is that you are a child of God. Even if you are unaware of that truth today, pray for his will in your life to be done and he will show you that you are His, fearfully and wonderfully made, in His image
Ok so I am a child of God. NOW WHAT ?
So glad you asked that, please grab your favorite beverage and allow me to explain !
You are marked by Love . You are a Original ! You are a " DISCIPLE"
You have bought with a price , a sacrificial love. A love that has washed away all your past mistakes, all your present mistakes and all the mistakes you will make in the future. You are Forgiven !
WHAT --- Yes it is true. " YOU ARE FORGIVEN !"
Are you a Christian ? Are you a chosen generation? Are you a Disciple of Christ ?
Has your suddenly happened. You suddenly realize that you see the world differently than most people and you do not want to be that Christian.
Following Christ does not mean following his followers !
Are you ready to leave behind the quarrels of Christianity ?
Are you a Outsider, living and loving like God did ? Or are you a Christian adhering to the labels of Christianity ?
The bible refers to the label a Christian only a few times and gives us no definition of what a true Christian is.
1 John 4:7-11
Dear loved ones , let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Who ever does not love does not know God, Because God is love. 9---- Please continue to scripture to read 9-11 . Thank you !
Love is not for the weak, or the faint hearted, love is not mushy and soft all the time, Love is hard and is a self sacrifice, dying to self in order to meet the needs of another , person saved or not. People need people and hurt people, do not even know that they need love and others to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Who are you showing the army of Love too, today ?
It is easy to love those who you get along with , but what about the unlovely - how do we love them ! Do we point out there flaws, or do we see that God can use all people for his kingdom ! Do we teach them that Jesus hung out with the lowly and the desperate , that Jesus healed the sick and the drunkards, he healed the blind and the prostitutes. Are we afraid to go into the dark corners of another's life and be the light . Are we that Christian that condemns others for the choices that they make , or do we show them the truth and the light and do we pray for salvation and redemption for them, and do we live according to Christianity or discipleship . A Disciple will show someone to the cross and love them all the way there, falling down a time or two, but knowing that God has a plan and can bring about a heart change.
Many have said I am a Christian because of what I believe. Well the truth is belief is not enough, we have to behave, Like Jesus. behavior opens the door to being a disciple and others will follow and want to work for the kingdom, when they see truth and good will being exemplified amongst us.
You do as I do period. There was no room for a belief, it was about behavior . The Teacher teaches and the student follows, Jesus taught how to live and behave.
Bottom line is do you - Do we ? live like a Christian ? Playing church on Sunday and wearing our best outfits looking like a "good" Christian or are we willing to get dirty for Jesus.
There is a expected behavior behind being a disciple . Period. Ask your self - Lord, am I am disciple of your ways and your will or do I play Christian ?
Today you can let go of the baggage that comes with being a Christian . You can choose to be a disciple for the Lord and work in his army of love. Would you lay down your life for a friend . That is love. Here is a song to better describe to you , the definition of Love and sacrifice .
Jesus is the sacrifice of love..
Dear Lord ,
Teach us to love and live like you did.
Amen