"The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’"
~ Genesis 12:1-3 TNIV
Is the question:
Is someone a Christian or is it, is someone a human being?
Do we believe that we are the beloved of God, that we are the “one” that God loves, created in his/her image and because of that truth we can be free and live full abundant lives? No longer slaves or in bondage, but rather magnificent freedom?
And then, do you believe this to be true of EVERYONE that you meet, encounter, and interact with – they too are all the “one(s)” – “one(s)” that the One (Jesus) came to earth to be born, live, die and be resurrected for?
“…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you…”
~God
At some point in early Church history perhaps being a Christian and being fully alive were synonymous – now, not so much?
“For the glory of God is a living man (woman); and the life of man (woman) consists in the beholding God. For if the manifestation of God which is made by means of the creation, affords life to all living in the earth, much more does that revelation of the Father which comes through the Word, give life to those who see God.”
~ St. Irenaeus, A dversus Haereses 4. 34. 5-7.
~ St. Irenaeus, A dversus Haereses 4. 34. 5-7.
“And remember the truth that once was spoken: to love another person is to see the face of God…”
~ Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~ Matthew 22:36-40 TNIV
"Love God and do as you please."
~ St. Augustine of Hippo
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
~ 1 John 4:8-12 TNIV
Something I read.....
ReplyDeleteSomething deep inside of all of us longs to be known and to be significant. Psalm 139 describes the longing for this purpose and meaning. Over 80 times the Psalmist says that God loves me, cares for me, and knows me,that I am significant to God, and that He has plans for me-plans formed in His heart before I was conceived.
God's Word tells us that the days ordained for us were written in God's book. We have significance, purpose and meaning out of which we are invited to live our daily lives.
Does knowing that God knows and loves us change how we live each day? Does it change the way we see the future? I believe that people that don't know that God loves them still have a deep desire to find significance and direction outside of themselves.