E
EverlastingChange
Guest
As I go in and out of conversations with non-believers expressing their opinion on what they think of Christianity, and what they have established and concluded on in their minds by what they observe of people who claim the title of a "Christian". And as I venture further into the chat rooms here, and in and out of different churches, overall just expanding my scope of Christianity in general as time goes on. I, to my own regret can perceive clearly the bitter complaint they make, and it's valid.
I'd like to share my evening devotion I read about 4 nights ago, it was written by Charles H. Spurgeon and I think it would benefit every Christian to incline their ear to his words just for the next few minutes.
I pray this may rebuke, encourage and even inspire all of you who read it. Please let us recall we are chosen to walk as a different breed of people. As Moses said to God in Exodus 33 v 16 "For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people? Is it not your going with us, so that we are distinct I and your people from every other people on the face of the earth?"
So then if we claim the title of a Christian we best live like we actually know Christ and be careful to walk in his ways for God to make us distinct and different by our very nature and way of life. For his presence certainly isn't going to go with us if we're forever careless in conduct and speech and live as though we in fact know nothing of The Saviour.
"Go, labor on: spend, and be spent,
Thy joy to do the Father’s will:
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?"
Godbless.
...
I'd like to share my evening devotion I read about 4 nights ago, it was written by Charles H. Spurgeon and I think it would benefit every Christian to incline their ear to his words just for the next few minutes.
'Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies' - Psalm 5:8
Very bitter is the enmity of the world against the people of Christ. Men will forgive a thousand faults in others, but they will magnify the most trivial offence in the followers of Jesus. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us turn it to account, and since so many are watching for our halting, let this be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. If we live carelessly, the lynx-eyed world will soon see it, and with it's hundred tongues, it will spread the story, exaggerated and emblazoned by the zeal of slander. They will shout triumphantly. 'Aha! So would we have it! See how these Christians act! They are hypocrites to a man.' Thus will much damage be done to the cause of Christ, and much insult offered to His name. The cross of Christ in itself an offence to the world; let us take heed that we add no offence of our own. It is 'to the Jews a stumbling block' : let us mind that we put no stumbling blocks where there are enough already. 'To the Greeks it is foolishness' : let us not add our folly to give point to the scorn with which the world-wise deride the gospel. How jealous we should be of ourselves! How rigid with our consciences! In the presence of adversaries who will misrepresent our best deeds, and impugn our motives where they cannot censure our actions, how circumspect should we be! Pilgrims travel as suspected persons through Vanity Fair. Not only are we under surveillance, but there are more spies than we reck of. The espionage is everywhere, at home and abroad. If we fall into the enemies' hands we may sooner expect generosity from a wolf, or mercy from a fiend, than anything like patience with our infirmities from men who spice their infidelity towards God with scandals against His people. O Lord, lead us ever, lest our enemies trip us up!
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I pray this may rebuke, encourage and even inspire all of you who read it. Please let us recall we are chosen to walk as a different breed of people. As Moses said to God in Exodus 33 v 16 "For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people? Is it not your going with us, so that we are distinct I and your people from every other people on the face of the earth?"
So then if we claim the title of a Christian we best live like we actually know Christ and be careful to walk in his ways for God to make us distinct and different by our very nature and way of life. For his presence certainly isn't going to go with us if we're forever careless in conduct and speech and live as though we in fact know nothing of The Saviour.
"Go, labor on: spend, and be spent,
Thy joy to do the Father’s will:
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?"
Godbless.
...