Crayons For Jesus


Thursday, January 22, 2009 Print E-mail
In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5

When looking at the characteristics of Christ, we see that every part of him was good. Every characteristic he has is one we should wish to have. We know that the greatest witnessing tool we have is not just the words we say but it is the way that we reflect the characteristics of Christ. We should show forgiveness, humility, patience, wisdom, self control, obedience, kindness, and most importantly love. All of our actions with others should be motivated by a selfless love for them. This is the way that Christ approached all people. In the same way that Christ welcomed us in love and showered us with grace, we should reflect him in our dealings with one another.

Studying the characteristics of Christ and humbly asking that his Holy Spirit shape us to be more like him, will enable us to fulfill the duty entrusted to us by the Great Commission. While it is important to note how Christ welcomed non believers while witnessing, it's important to note how Christ treated the believers around him. He was always encouraging and never condemning. His actions and words came out of a true love for the believer. He was not concerned with condemning the believer for their failure but was more concerned with teaching them and redirecting them onto the path of righteousness. Even when their doubt and fear made them question him, he did not react in anger. But in love, he instructed them and brought them back into the light.

Sometimes it is easier to forgive the nonbeliever because we remind ourselves they don't know the way of God. It can be very difficult to forgive a believer because we hold them to the standard of the scriptures. When they don't meet that standard, we too easily become condemning and begin to harbor hurt and resentment. But, if Christ's love flows through you, you will forgive your brother and will instruct him. In the same way that Christ showed you grace, show one another grace. If you refuse to forgive those believers among you, you allow the hurt and resentment to come between you instead of allowing Christ to bring you together so that you might continue to grow in his knowledge and wisdom.

Do not become proud and think yourself holier than someone who has fallen from glory. Instead, humble yourself and recognize that you too have failed many times. Use the knowledge you have of Christ's grace to help your fellow brothers and sister discover the joy and freedom that forgiveness by you and by Christ brings. Our wish should be to continually share in the riches of the knowledge of Christ and to encourage one another to follow Christ's example. If we are too busy tearing each other a part then we are too busy to witness correctly to those nonbelievers. Remember that Christ told us a kingdom against itself will fall, the enemy knows this and will try to bring between you arguments and as a result, decrease the effectiveness of our ministry.

Continue to witness in love to nonbelievers, but also bear with each other. Become a united front against the powers of darkness instead of a divided front against each other. Approach other believers who have wronged you in love and together approach God's throne. Come together and find truth in the Word and grow in power and grace as your help each other along the path to righteousness. We all make mistakes and we must all realize that condemning others will not bring us relief, but forgiveness will help us to grow to be more like Christ and will free us from those feelings. Not only will we be freed, but we will become more bonded with others believers and when this happens we will be able to work as the body of Christ and effectively combat darkness and effectively witness to nonbelievers. Let Christ shine through you among each other and let Christ shine through you among unbelievers as well, for this is the will of God.

Dear Lord,
We praise you for the wonderful forgiveness and grace that you pour upon us each day. Help us Lord to shine your light around those in darkness, but help us to also shine your light among each other. Remind us that we are to work together and help us not to allow squabbles to come between us. Help us to be more like you and grant us the power to forgive the people who have wronged us. Equip us to help each other grow stronger in the knowledge of you because this is your will. Help us to become united instead of divided. Help us to look at all of those around us whether lost or found through your loving eyes. Give us a heart for your ministry and help us to meet the call to love all around us. You have shown us mercy and grace, you have given us forgiveness and friendship. Jesus, help us to do the same to all of those around us. Amen.