“Why is it that Christians are Lutherans, Baptists, or others? Why not just Christians?”
Even those perfect-looking churches are all made up of once broken people, transformed by the work of the cross. Even those ministers or pastors were once lost, found and reformed by Jesus’ saving grace. Like my husband. Like my child. Like me…And you…
We were all prisoners of many kinds of sins, freed by our Savior Jesus Christ. Am I wrong to say that? Why can’t we be called just plain “Christians”? For everything we attained or lost should be pointed and reflected back at Him Who rescued us from the pits of hell? Doesn’t Jesus deserve all the glory? All the honor? All the thanks and praise?
CHRIST….IAN [I Am Nothing]
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” –John 15:5
Isn’t a Christian one who is to conform to God’s character? Someone who is called to walk with God as Jesus did? One who is called to live not by his/her own strength but by the power of God? What do you think? Do you struggle with this like I do?
This year, I want to search for His answers in the deepest, not the shallow part of my soul. To have my roots grow deeper into His love. I can’t do it on my own, that I know. Only by His grace. [“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13]
The past year had shown so much pain and suffering. Countless lives worried as they faced mountains of trials. Christians included. But as true follower of Jesus, we are called to endure so we can follow God, show trust in Him, draw nearer to Him, please no one but Him, imitate Jesus and reflect Him to those who don’t know Him fully well.
In the prison where I work, deputies do unannounced shakedowns to catch inmates off-guard. During that time, that is when they usually find illegal substances like pruno [alcohol they make from fruits], drugs, or shanks [any improvised weapons]. When our world seem to be shaking, maybe we should consider that God is shaking it to call our attention and truly listen to what He is saying.
“so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” – Colossians 1:10 [NIV]
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
- 1 Timothy 4:7 [NIV]
Lord, help me find and meet You and hear You speak in the deepest of my soul. Guard me in all of my ways. That I may give you all the glory You alone deserve. Lord, forgive me for all of my lack of attention, those times I remain dry and not wanting to desire for more of You. Lord, I trust only in Your own understanding. Not mine. Give me the strength I need Lord to know more of You and less of me. All the glory, honor, thanks and praise belong to You Oh Lord. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Please silence my playlist...
AMEN!! I have been thinking about this a lot lately, too! Why can't we all just be "Christians!"
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your work situations. May GOD continue to use you as only HE can and may HE give you complete peace and strength for each step of the way HE has prepared for you.
Big hugs,
andrea
I struggle with that too..It tends to bring division as the different faiths have their own agendas and think their way is the right way...Hmm!
ReplyDeleteOh, this brought tears to my eyes, Rosel. This is my prayer, too. 2010 brought so much pain and agony to my life, but it also brought growth in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I wouldn't trade that for ANYTHING!!
ReplyDeleteCHRIST….IAN [I Am Nothing] -- Love that! :)
Listening to "You Are God" on your playlist. What a wonderful song!!!
Romans 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. Paul is speaking of the Jews in contrast to the Roman Christians. This is one of those important Scriptures that help us balance our view of eternal security with the need to believe. Christians are told to fear because there is potential that God will not spare us who have believed. According to v. 22 we experience God’s kindness, rather than His severity, provided that we “continue in his kindness. Otherwise [we] too will be cut off.” How are we eternally secure, then? We are eternal secure because God works in His true believers so they believe such warnings and “continue in his kindess.” Eternally secure believers are not eternally secure because they believed once; we are eternally secure because we continue to stand fast through faith by the grace of God. This is a way to believe in eternally security without watering down these warnings.
ReplyDelete@ Bro.Ike: "How are we eternally secure, then? We are eternal secure because God works in His true believers so they believe such warnings and “continue in his kindness.” Eternally secure believers are not eternally secure because they believed once; we are eternally secure because we continue to stand fast through faith by the grace of God." Amen!
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing up these precious Scriptures. It is awesome to be reminded to have that steadfast perseverance in faith. Thank you for your Christmas greeting also. Right back at you [though it's late ;(] Been busy. But I want you to know I appreciate all of you who continue to encourage me and help my faith with your faith. God bless.
@ sister Lisa: It's nice to hear from you again. I remember some of the pain you had to go through. And it's evident from your words that the Lord had turned those into good. That you love Him more. When I ask the Lord what He wants me to share or post, He gives me the right video or in this case, I love this song, too. I didn't know about it until I searched for this. Glad you liked it, too. God bless.
ReplyDelete@sunnycalgirl: Thank you for your input. I believe through sharing, it will be awesome to be truly honest with our beliefs. Different maybe. But we don't have to be divided but rather may we all grow from these differences. My prayer is that it's the Lord Who is always glorified. It's all about Him. Blessings to you.
ReplyDelete@sister Andrea: Who would say "no" to prayers? It is through prayerful friends like you that I am reminded how important it is to be prayerful as well. But thanks be to the One Who hears our petitions. Whether with quick answer or not, I know He wants the best for all His children. God bless and love to you.
ReplyDeleteJust sisters in Christ is enough for me. All the other stuff will be worked out in the end.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Bren
I always tell folks who ask, that I am a Christian that fellowships with other believers at a Baptist church. There are some doctrines that the Baptist church teaches that I do not fully agree with, however, I do agree with the essential doctrines and truths that make a person a "Born Again" Christian and follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessings my sister in Christ. Lloyd
ReplyDeleteSo true. It really doesn't matter.
ReplyDelete"Lord! Lord! Let us in!"
ReplyDeleteNonbelievers never call Him Lord.
Believers always call Him Lord.
But the Lord, responds to those who utter the first sentence above:
"GET AWAY from Me! I NEVER knew you".
The "believers can be found in every "christian" denomination ever designed by man. There will be many surprised who is in heaven one day (a thief reside there already....that we know).
There will be MORE surprised at who had the door slammed on their face, and were not admitted for they NEVER knew the Lord.
Ike put me onto that thought, but Rosel's writing make me recall Christ, in a final address to the Apostles saying:
"I have to go, otherwise the Counselor can't come" and "Greater things will be done after ME"
Given those two final announcements at the end of ministry, we can be pretty sure that no period has had a time of greater things than at the time of Christ.
We also know HE speaks truth.
The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, seeks to perform what Christ proclaimed.
But the Spirit needs UNITY in the Church to do GREATER things, as Christ promised.
The more "man" touches the church, the less unity every day. Satan encourages both the disunity (he is a destroyer) and taking offense, which denominations are bound to do, for they are "right". And taking offense, always leads us away from Christ, for we are not servants then, we want our way.
I encourage all to pray often for Unity.
Look for it in your Bibles and pray any part of Unity into the church. (pray aloud).
Each day that passes is one day closer to His return. We rejoice, but He can certainly weep at that. He died on a cross painfully that ALL be saved. As time diminishes, and there is no Unity, a heavenly door will be smashed shut for many.
It grieves me deeply.
It grieves the Holy Spirit more.
Rosel, powerful post. Touched me. Touched me deeply. Blessings.
ReplyDelete@ sister Bren: Blessed to have this special relationship from God's family. :) Love you sister!
ReplyDelete@bro. Lloyd: Thanks for your honest input. Guess sometimes, even those with strong knowledge may bring divisiveness instead of unity in the church. God bless you.
ReplyDelete@sister Wanda: Praying you're feeling better, day by day. Remaining strong in the Lord's power. Take care.
ReplyDelete@ Keystone: Thanks for taking the time to come by. Wouldn't that be scary? To be not let in, after thinking you have done everything for the Lord? I'm glad you brought up to always pray for the church's unity. Same dilemma Paul faced once when uniting Gentiles with the Jews. We have this huge diversity of people, but they forget that we have one common faith in Christ and mission. Some who are very knowledgeable think that just because they have a strong point that came from the Lord, discussion should end there. No questions should be asked. No debates allowed. But Paul never acted that way. If anyone wants to learn about unity, we can all learn so much from Paul who faced it before. And every time, he never compromised the truth of the gospel.
ReplyDeleteWhen there is no compromise in the truth, I believe that's when unity starts. Thanks be to God for His plan to save us all, through Jesus and having the Spirit guide us as we wait for His second coming. Blessings to you Keystone. Praying all is well with you. Remembering you in prayers and as the Lord brings you to mind. Praying that your roots have been healed when they were hurt before, nursed in His unfathomable love.
@ JBR: I always pray that the Lord will guide me with every post and these words may encourage anyone who He brings. Praying that it encourage you in a way that will help you understand the ways He's doing to continue to bring you toward that full recovery and healing. God bless you JBR. You encourage me as well with your transparency with the Lord's work in you.
ReplyDeleteI do believe He summons us from the shallows to the depths when we're ready for His "more". I'm with you, sister!
ReplyDeleteTo think the Great Creator desires that I know Him more and follow Him more closely ... well, it's just too amazing; too wonderful.
Hugs,
Kathleen
@ Sassy Granny: I just pray that He sustains me with strength to follow His leading. Thanks for your visit. God bless.
ReplyDeletefor some reason the playlist didn't show up...it's just a blank area but your words showed up and they mean a lot.....thanks for this awesome word....Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI think this post really makes you think into the deepest parts of our soul for sure! I have wondered the same thing many times. Not only do I wonder why we have different denominations, I wonder why we have different names for our churches. Even a name in itself separates! I think we should be Christians that are "the Church" That's it! I love how churches were differentiated in the New Testament, only by their area; the church in Corinth, the church of Ephesus, the Galatian Church. They gathered where they lived and called themselves "the church" I love it!! I do not even like to say that I go to church. We are the church!! We are all the same, none better or less than any other. Jesus gave to everyone of us His Righteousness as a gift of His love to make us all equal in His eyes. What He did eliminated division. He made a way for us all to be equal Christians, by our faith, having nothing to do with our works. Therefore, we should never allow what Christ has brought together ever be divided for any reason.
ReplyDeleteWe are ONE in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI love, "CHRIST….IAN [I Am Nothing]"
blessings,
Lyn
Amen to your prayer. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful, thank you for that, Dear. Blessings ~
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your encouragement. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteYes, I feel very sad that we all can't just be plain Christians. We all need each other. We need to be of one mind and not be divided. Especially now when Satan is prowling around so strongly.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Mrs.A