Recently a thread was added on the forums about what a Christian is. Every time I hear or see this asked it gets me thinking, regardless of how many times I have pondered this subject. Interestingly enough, there have been a wide variety of answers including opposing opinions on the matter. I also find it interesting that there are varying opinions. It seems sometimes we create the answer based on what we either interpret of prefer it to mean. Honestly, I don't find much room for error in that department. So, what does this have to do with the title of this blog? Well, let suspense pull you no more.
I found myself thinking of a Chris Rice song "The Face of Christ". When we look at the weak, weary, poor, "unfortunate", what do we see? Do we see someone who has it worse than the rest? Do we see someone who is paying the price of a lifetime of bad decisions? Often, we view those who are down on their "luck" as sub-class or substandard. Society shuns or forgets them. They are rejected because they live on the streets. They to have wonder every night where their next meal will come from and if they are going to stay warm enough while they sleep.
When we look at them, do we see Christ? Matthew 25:35-36 "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me."
What does it mean to be a Christian? The above verse is a pretty good start. Are we the examples of Christ we need to be? When others look at us, do they see Christ or do they see a stereotypical hypocrite? Are we out there sharing the good news and the truth? Do we give to those who have nothing? Another really good example in scripture is out of Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:2
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
So many times in scripture it says exactly what we are supposed to do, exactly what makes us Christian. Do others see Christ in us? Do we see Christ in others? Do we act?
Consider the above while you watch an excellent independent video put to "Face of Christ" by Chris Rice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyVGq95CCA&index=14&list=LLPb4uXIy3gYm1WPClqGXR6w
God Bless,
BA
I found myself thinking of a Chris Rice song "The Face of Christ". When we look at the weak, weary, poor, "unfortunate", what do we see? Do we see someone who has it worse than the rest? Do we see someone who is paying the price of a lifetime of bad decisions? Often, we view those who are down on their "luck" as sub-class or substandard. Society shuns or forgets them. They are rejected because they live on the streets. They to have wonder every night where their next meal will come from and if they are going to stay warm enough while they sleep.
When we look at them, do we see Christ? Matthew 25:35-36 "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me."
What does it mean to be a Christian? The above verse is a pretty good start. Are we the examples of Christ we need to be? When others look at us, do they see Christ or do they see a stereotypical hypocrite? Are we out there sharing the good news and the truth? Do we give to those who have nothing? Another really good example in scripture is out of Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:2
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
So many times in scripture it says exactly what we are supposed to do, exactly what makes us Christian. Do others see Christ in us? Do we see Christ in others? Do we act?
Consider the above while you watch an excellent independent video put to "Face of Christ" by Chris Rice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyVGq95CCA&index=14&list=LLPb4uXIy3gYm1WPClqGXR6w
God Bless,
BA
