Weekly Thoughts

   Ok, let me be bold and say something that I'm sure will get some negative feedback. But here goes.

 Don't call yourself a Christian if you're not living the Christian life! Don't call yourself a Christian if you're not living a life that displays true, genuine love for Jesus. Jesus said if you love Me, keep My commandments. Well, what are His commandments? Read the NT and you'll see. In fact, I'll make it even easier. Read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5,6, & 7. Just 3 chapters. 

See if your life reflects what He said in those three chapters. Do you know what the word Christian means? It means a "Christ follower", one who imitates their master or teacher. In the early church Christians were known as "The Way" because they followed the "ways" of Jesus. Love not only means we do what He says, it also involves service, ministry. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. 

After each time, Jesus followed His question with a charge for Peter to feed and tend His sheep. We call ourselves Christians and think we can live however we want. No desire to assemble with God's people, no desire to read something we think is too hard to understand, no desire to tell others about God. We just want to live life on our terms. That's NOT what a Christian is. And if that's you, you are deceiving yourself. Now, before you get too critical and say I'm judging, let me be the first to say I'm including myself in this as well. If I say I'm a Christian, do I love Him like I'm supposed to? 

Do I have the relationship with Him He desires? Or am I too busy being the Christian I think I'm supposed to be? Am I allowing "Christian activity" to replace love? Am I so busy going to church, reading devotions, tithing, telling you how to be a witness, and consumed with growing the church that I don't take the time to slow down and truly love Him? We always say love is a verb, it's an action. That's true, but first it's a heartfelt, desire and longing to be with Him. 

Then, that results in action. Don't get them confused and turned around. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He was placing the priority of a love for Him first, and then a love that would result in feeding His sheep. I heard a pastor make this comment this past week. He said as Christians we should not only "turn this world upside down" - but because of our love and devotion and commitment to Jesus, we should turn this world "right side up!" Only true, genuine and sincere love for Him can do that! Just something to think about, live y'all.

Pastor Eddie Sears