Matthew 25:35/45
The Words of Christ
I was a stranger and you invited me into your home...What you have done unto the least of these you have done unto me...
When was the last time you reached out to someone who was lonely? When was the last time you reached out to a complete stranger in need? When was the last time you treated someone different the way Jesus would?
This is a tough convicting question. I struggle to treat people the way I know Christ would have.
I have posted a painting by Edward Hopper that should remind you of the person that you often see sitting alone and lonely. As Christians we must be known as the first person to go and break the solace of the picture. We must walk over and tap this man on the shoulder in order to ask him if the seat is taken right next to him. What an opportunity to share Christ's love with others. Reaching perfect strangers has to do with opening yourself up to loving perfect strangers.
There are many people dying and going to hell because you do not have the guts to engage them cold turkey. Shame on you!
There are 33 funerals that have taken place over the past week for the victims killed at Virginia Tech. You see the shooter is the guy in Hopper's painting that is just sitting there waiting to be talked to. This young man had so much pain built up inside of him. Accounts from his high school state that he was picked on and made fun of. Oh how things might have been so different if a Christian had had the guts to engage this young man and exhibited him love.
We have a responsibility in this world and we are not meeting it brethren!
So get up sit down at the counter with the man in the painting. This is how Christians can change the world by showing love to one stranger at a time. May you be known for your bold love...Christ is sitting over there alone at the counter...Godspeed!
6 comments:
this looks familiar!
When did Buba the Arminian come back?
"There are many people dying and going to hell because you do not have the guts to engage them cold turkey. Shame on you!"
Since when did the courage of you and I determine the eternal destiny of our fellow humans? Since when was our sovereign God in need of us building up enough guts to go and minister to the lost in order to save them from eternal damnation? Many people are dying and going to hell because of their sin and because they were created to be "creatures/vessels or wrath" in order to show God's power, not b/c of our failed efforts. The hearts of men are in God's hand. Obviously, we are commanded to go forth with the gospel, but in no way will God's work/purposes cease if you and I fail to obey. And in no way will one of His elect not be drawn unto himself if you and I fail to obey. Such as statement portrays an skewed picture regarding the way in which God works. To make a blanket statement saying that one's actions or inactions are effectively sending people to hell is misleading. Perhaps it was just written quickly w/out much thought, but I'm sure your young youth group reads your posts from time to time which should cause you to be very cautious with your words in hopes of writing things that accurately depict that which the scriptures teach, just like any other leader with a spiritual role in the church. I just wanted to remind you of the weight of your influence and also the related responsibilities.
"Oh how things might have been so different if a Christian had had the guts to engage this young man and exhibited him love."
How do you know that Christians didnt attempt to pour out their lives into the VT killer? I havent read many of your posts, but why the such speculative statements that you unsure about? Again, while we should obey the commands to evangelize, a Christian having the guts to engage this person wouldnt have changed the outcome of his life. Its as if you say his eternal destiny hinged upon whether you and I had enough courage to engage this person, which diminishes the work of the Holy Spirit, whose work in fact, is the only effectual means to a new heart. Just seems that your giving us humans a lot of credit for conversion efforts. Our courage doesnt change hearts. Yes, obviously God uses us in His providence to draw His people to himself, but we are hardly a key factor.
Disenfranchised? Its a rediculous made up word that liberals use to call their constituents and other voters in order to make them think that the Right has done something to put them down.
I hope to be able to read some more of your posts from time to time. And perhaps we'll enjoy some lively discussion. I love you.
Grundlstilskin
Romans 10:14
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Don, I hope all well with you.
I concur with you completely. Like, I said above, we are commanded to go forth with the gospel as it is a means through which God calls His people to Himself.
But, even as we go forth with the gospel, in and of ourselves, we do not possess the power to change the hearts of men.
I think we should work like hell to win people for Christ, but at the end of the day, it is up to God to replace the heart of stone w/ a hear of flesh and cause the calling to be effectual, and we can have peace and rest in that fact. Thus, all credit of the conversion goes to God.
We can be the most bold and courageous men of all time when it comes to presenting the gospel, but the bottom line is that all glory and honor goes to God, b/c He caused the conversion, not us.
Hey Grund! I hope all is well with you too. I would like to first congratulate on your newborn. I know this probaly is not a big deal, but I just want to clarify that I actually didnt send the previous message. I was on Buba's computer and when Buba ended up posting on the blog it was still somehow logged on to my account. I do think Buba brings up a good verse for us to remember in Romans 10 and I defenitely agree with your previous comment. Anyways, I hope you are doing alright. Sorry for the confusion and I am thankful that you are my Christian brother!
Thanks Donald.
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