80. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, Christians are the most forgiving, understanding, thoughtful people, only by God's grace.

1 January 2021
2 Corinthians 2
4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
2 Corinthians 3
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.

Christians. The most forgiving, understanding, thoughtful people you'll ever deal with... Do I hear any "Amen"?

My reflection 16 September 2017.

“You have to work hard to offend Christians. 

By nature, Christians are the most forgiving, understanding, and thoughtful group of people I’ve ever dealt with. 

They never assume the worst.

They appreciate the importance of having different perspectives.

They’re slow to anger, quick to forgive, and almost never make rash judgments or act in anything less than a spirit of total love. . . . No, wait—I’m thinking of ....... Labrador retrievers!”


The continuation: 
I laughed when I read this humorous thought by David Learn in an e-mail. But having had experience with retrievers—and fellow Christians—I think it’s true that sometimes believers are just too easily offended!

“The choir director always gives her the solos.” “The pastor didn’t even look at me when he shook my hand.” “I do a lot around here—people ought to appreciate me a little more.”

Anger. Resentment. Pride. Sure, issues between believers do sometimes need to be addressed. But what if we always tried to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12), weren’t quick to judge others but forgave them (Luke 6:37), and demonstrated a little humility? (Phil. 2:3).
And what if the world could actually recognize that we are followers of Jesus by the love we have “for one another”? (John 13:35). Is this true of us?”

“Lord, my life may be the Bible some people will ever read; I better be mindful of the message I will be sending to people, if my actions reflect the teachings of the Bible. More than my worship on Sunday is the life I live the other six days. Lord, I cannot act out good deeds for righteousness's sake, for such is self-serving; I should remember You resist the proud (1Peter 5:5). Lord, it is by faith that I claim Your righteousness (Philippians 3:9); my good deeds are fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Lord, may I live worthy of the faith, may Your name be glorified, in Jesus' name. Amen.””


I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. - Mahatma Gandhi

This is a sentence of reproach to us Christians. The comforts of life sometimes make us like Pharisees who earned the ire of the Lord Jesus.

Yet, the whole life of Apostle Paul is the classic story of a Christian. He was chief persecutor of early Christians; after his encounter with the Risen Lord and long years of solitude, he chose to embrace the life of persecuted Christians.

Persecuted Christians are the saving grace for carnal Christians.

1 Corinthians 3
The Church and Its Leaders
1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 
2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 
3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

Yet the good news. God's grace.

2 Corinthians 1
12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. Amen.


Lord, today if I am to be accused of being a Christian, will the judge find me guilty? Guilty being with the mark of a follower of the Lord Jesus, the mark that is being intentional in my prayer, and bold in speaking out the Word of God. Lord, I pray for Christians in countries where it is a crime to be a Christian. Their situation continues to be a reminder to me not to be complacent having all the freedom of being a Christian in our country. For these persecuted Christians, Lord, help me persevere in my prayer identifying with them in spirit, by Your grace. This I beseech in Jesus' name. Amen.”

My children's children will one day say, wala ka sa Lolo ko; for him, Christians are the most forgiving, understanding, thoughtful people, only by God's grace.

1 Corinthians 16
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

May you be blessed with the message.

Blessed New Year Everyone! 💓

Maraming salamat.



Comments

  1. mcgDecember 31, 2020 at 11:04 PM

    Your blog is a big blow to us your fellow Christians, a brutal reality indeed. We are the present day Corinthians that Apostle Paul was admonishing in his time. Praying we will take time in solitude and reflect as we start anew this year 2021.

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