How are you going to persecute Christ today? Will you go out of your way to avoid him again? Is today going to be a repeat of yesterday, the day before, and perhaps the week, month, or year before?
We glance through the Bible and see a very clear picture of the entire story of Christ… surrounded by persecution and death. Even if you read the story of Christ once per year, you know how it ends. But there are a few pieces that you should really get to know.
“What you do to the least of these, you also do to me.”
“Do no hinder the children, let them come to me.”
“If you don’t forgive, you will not be forgiven.”
- Jesus Christ
Every day you encounter men, women, and children who are hungry, hopeless, thirsty, cold, lonely, and isolated from society. Do you see them? Do you know them? Have you attended to them?
Walking through life concerned only with what you can get, who you can control, and how to accomplish the “American Dream” is empty and useless. The point of living each day isn’t the accumulation of status, wealth, comfort, and contentment. The point is to reach out and serve God by serving others.
Ignoring the cry of the needy, the hunger of the lost, and tears of the desperate children in your world… is the same as driving a nail into the hands of Christ.
The religious rulers during the days of Christ were threatened by Christ, not by physical intimidation, but rather from the loss of comfort. They knew what was right and wrong according to God’s law. But they had bended and molded God’s word to fit into their lifestyle so they could live easier, and more comfortable. Rather than spending more heartfelt time serving others… they became consumed with serving only themselves. Christ challenged them to get back to God… and the rulers killed Christ so they wouldn’t have to deal with the effort and the challenge. Sound familiar?
So I ask you again. How will you persecute Christ today? How will you ignore His ways? Will you spend your day pursuing your own comfort? Will you degrade and tear down the self-esteem of your friends, family, or people that are different from you? Will you withhold love in order to love yourself more?
The walk of faith isn’t an easy road. It requires a sacrifice on a daily basis. The question we all must answer every day is whether we will die to our flesh so that someone else may live? Or will we let someone else die so we don’t have to be bothered with it?
Live Bold today. Help the hungry, do something to encourage someone. Show God’s love right now by living a life that reflects Christ… not by persecuting Him.
[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://www.livebold.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ga_thumb.png[/author_image] [author_info]Greg Arnold is publisher and founder of Live Bold as well as author of “DIRT: Uncovering Authentic Faith” and architect of the M3 Men’s Ministry framework. Book Greg for your next men’s event! or Contact Greg about helping to re-build your ministry to men. You can read more about him or contact him on his bio page here on the site.
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