Hello. It has been a little bit of time since I have written anything. That doesn’t mean that I have any less to say. Anybody that chooses to engage me in conversation can vouch for that! I was told the other day that I have put a spotlight on myself openly declaring my decision for Jesus Christ. That’s not a direct quote, but you get the gist. It made me think, am I doing something wrong? Should I not be so open about my discipleship? Am I putting a big sign on my back that says “Kick Me”? There is a song by DC Talk, “What if I Stumble?” The chorus says,
“What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?
We put ourselves out there when we openly live for Christ don’t we? I don’t know about you, but in my life it’s not so much the “What if’s”, but more like the, “When’s”. As much as I want to live my life fully for God, I simply fall very short of the target. And as Christians that declare the truth, our shortcomings are often magnified so that every little misstep we take, oftentimes, makes fools of us all. So, when I fall, what kind of damage does that do to my witness? I mean, I know that my Father has forgiven me for the sin that I will commit tomorrow. I know that I’m held safely in His hand and that He will never leave me. I know that I have eternal life. But when I slip and I stumble, my witness is damaged, regardless of how quickly I stand up and get back in the race. Our witness has enormous effects on others. Our witness, in all actuality, can be a stumbling block to others. As much as I want to say, “Look at Christ, Look at Christ, Look at Christ!” I have to face the facts. People are looking at me. And if you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus, they are looking at you too! I simply want to live for Christ. That though, is fantasy. There is no simplicity in this Christian life. There is no “easy road”. The road is narrow and straight, and few find it. My prayer is that my life as a Christian does not stop an unbeliever from coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and that to the believer, I do not become a stumbling block. In the twelfth chapter of Romans, Paul tells us how to live the Christian life. Read it, learn it, love it, and LIVE IT.
Romans 12 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b] 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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A Big AMEN!!! to the stumbling issue. I so need to be reminded daily that I am scrutinized as I proclaim the name of Jesus Christ Romans 8:16 I will NOT be ashamed of the Gospel or His Name!