When we make the decision to follow Jesus there is only one thing that is put on us...we are to try to advance His kingdom and draw others to Him. To be honest, when you have truly given your heart to Jesus, this should come with little to no effort. People will see a change in you and as you draw closer and closer to Christ in your own life... people will see Him in you. They will be begin to see Him in your talk, in the way you now think (because your mind has been renewed...Romans 12:2) and they will see Him in your actions. The old you should be dead and gone and the new you should be what people begin to see. (2 Corinthians 5:17) And as much as we love this idea, there is also a seriousness that comes with this that we also must not forget...the bible is also very clear that we are not to cause others to stumble. 1 Corinthians 8:9 says "But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble."....and Luke 17:2 says "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin..." Yes, there is a "responsibility" for us to tell others about Jesus, but please be aware that if we are going to call ourselves a follower of Jesus Christ there is also a responsibility to not cause confusion for nonbelievers or new believers. The bible is very clear about how serious Jesus takes this. Romans 14 is full of references of things that "you" may not consider a sin, but if they are causing another to stumble, then that makes them a sin. And if I may be so blunt, I think this is one area that a lot of Christians struggle with. And I know this because I used to be one of them. But thanks to the relationship that I NOW have with Jesus, he has opened my eyes to this in a very big way. We as Christians cannot become so consumed with keeping the things that we "enjoy" in our life that we are causing confusion among others who are watching our lives. When I was a youth pastor I used to tell my teens all the time that YOU may be the only Jesus people are going to see this week. So if we really believe that....if we really believe that our lives are supposed to reflect Christ to others...then let me ask, what are you making Jesus look like to them? There was a time that I made Jesus look pretty worldly. And as ashamed as I am to say that, I would rather speak openly and honestly, and say that I know how I used to be....and warn others to realize if they may be acting the same way. Our lives and the things that "we" are "ok" with may not reflect Jesus at all. Think about it....think about the things you read about that Jesus did on this earth and then ask yourself why should my life look any different? And I am not talking about perfection....I am talking about trying. I'm talking about putting filters on your life. I'm talking about being purposeful in the things you cut out of your life! Yes, we are all covered by God's grace, but grace is not there to be abused. It is there because God knew perfection could not be achieved and we would need His love and forgiveness again and again for our "slip ups".
I had no intensions of getting into a list of do's and don'ts in this blog. So if that was what you were looking for, this is not where you will find it. What you allow into your life should be cleared between you, God's Word and God. And those are the ONLY standards you should be using. Do not look at the life of another and think "if they are ok with that, then I can be too"....they may be creating a stumbling block for you. However, before I end this, I do want to heed one last warning...a very serious one too! Whatever you do...and please hear me.....do not ever use God to manipulate another believer or nonbeliever. I believe Matthew 7:15 would refer to these as false prophets or "wolves in sheep's clothing". I feel for the person who has to stand face to face with Jesus one day knowing that they used the Word of God to manipulate someone into doing what they wanted or believing something that was flat our wrong. If this is something you may have done, please do not wait...repent to God and make things right with that person. You have become a tool of the enemy and you may not even realize it. But God's grace is for you too! Go to Him...confess, receive His forgiveness and walk again in His mercy.
God, again we thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ. Please help us realize what we have received and give us the wisdom to walk away from things in our lives that do not advance Your kingdom. Holy Spirit convict our hearts TODAY with anything that we have allowed in our lives that is not pleasing to you. Help us to see the things in ourselves that could be causing others to stumble and give us the strength to set them down at the feet of Jesus and walk away from them. And help us to right any wrongs that we have created for those around us. In Jesus name, Amen
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