YOU COULD BE

What is a good Christian? Is it that person who is at church every time the doors open? It could be. Is it the person who is a deacon, pastor, elder, minister? It could be. Is it the person who reads their Bible everyday and one, two or three devotions? It could be. Is it the person who is the most highly respected person in your church? It could be. Is it the person who is a missionary to one of the unreached people groups? It could be. 


Jesus set the example and told others to follow.


Two Things That A "Good Christian" has settled.

1. Love God
2. Love Others

This means the death of self. I believe a "Good Christian" is a person who does what God says. Most of that is outside the church walls. But there is a balance. All Christians need to be participate in the body of Christ for discipleship but also in ministry and missions. 

So Christ desires us to be God-centered, Other-centered and not self-centered. Are you a "good Christian"? You could be!

A GOOD CHRISTIAN IS ONE THAT KNOWS TO DO GOOD AND DOES IT!

Dancing the Christian Dance

I have watched Dancing with the Stars for the first time ever. It is amazing how difficult it is to learn to dance. It all comes down to getting the steps right. Seems simple until you try. The teachers have done it so long they do it without much thought while the stars or students struggle with it some. This is often seen in the Christian life as well and we dance the Christian dance. We have to get the steps right. Look at Jesus’ advice on dancing the Christian dance.

Jesus began teaching many truths after cleansing the temple. In addition, He found himself challenged by the religious leaders, pronounced the seven woes to the Scribes and Pharisees and taught through parables. There is one teaching during this time that I feel is very important and kind of puts everything else in perspective.

"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:34-40, ESV.

I like a systematic plan that is clear and concise. The question asked Jesus is basically, "What is most important?"

Concise Answer: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Now that is clear. No ambiguity!!!

Jesus knew we would not be the quickest of learners so he also gave an answer to a question that was not asked.

Concise Answer #2: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Again, it is a clear answer.

The longer you do it the more natural it will become. If this is your first week to try it, you might look rigid or out of step. Stick with it. Listen to the teacher. He will never lead you wrong.

So, this week, Holy Week, make sure you get step one and step two down - Love God and Love others.