I am a part of group that has brought up some questions into what picture best represents our group. You know how Christians can be, quite judgmental and opinionated.
These are my responses:
Response #1:
James 1:19-20 (New International Version)
Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
In all that we do and all that we say, we should measure these things against the Word of God.
A picture in and of itself means nothing. It is the spirit behind the picture that means everything. For us as Christ followers, that spirit is the spirit of salvation, through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. But, the reality of it is, the victory against death was not on the cross, but in the cave, where Christ was buried. The cross was the vehicle that helped to bring about that victory.
Symbolism in our culture is taken very seriously, as it was back in the times of the 1st century Christians, for their symbol was the fish. <>< This helped them to recognize other Christians and helped them to not get caught and persecuted.
If Christ's death sentence were to be carried out today, what does that look like?
Would it be by electric chair? lethal injection? firing squad?
Would we then place an small chair around our neck? a needle? a rifle?
It is not the symbolism that we claim that is important. It is what we hold in our hearts for those around us, which we are told is to be love. This does not mean there isn't a need to rebuke at times, as everyone of us needs to be held accountable and helped to stay on that narrow path in search of that narrow gate, as we are told:
Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
If we have truly claimed our inheritance that God has given us through Christ, this walk is a team effort.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
which takes us back to:
James 1:19-20 (New International Version)
Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Response #2 was in regard to what this christian group stood for first and foremost. The answer of love came up, which I would agree with, and then what picture represented a Godly love.
#2
I really think that it goes so much further than a picture. We can spend a great deal of time and energy into this picture thing, or we can focus on what God created us for, the two greatest commandments, loving God with all that we are and loving others.
Then comes the great commission, making sure that everyone has a chance at salvation. There really isn't anything more than that.
I really didn't want to answer my own question, but it is so very easy for us to get side tracked and lose focus of what is truly important.
Satan wants nothing more than for us to be infighting and distracted at the true cause of our group.
What can we do better as a group of Christians to love those around us?
Christ told the prince to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Are we willing to do just that?
The good Samaritan went far out of his way to ensure that the man on the side of the road was not just taken care of, but taken care of well. Are we willing to do that?
Christ spoke to the woman at the well, going against what society at that time dictated. Who in our life are we to step out of this box of society and speak to?
I have heard on three different occasions since Christmas, Ezekiel 37 about prophesying to dry bones.
We live in a society that is so very dry and we need to be prophesying and praying that the breath of God fills them and brings them to life.
Is there a picture that can do this?
We are Christ's bride and we are not perfect and that is ok. When our imperfections show themselves, we need to ask for forgiveness and move forward towards our purpose that God has created us for. We need to seek the face of the One who died for us and align ourselves with His will, not ours.
I feel like I am on a soap box, but the more I learn and study, the more I realize how far the church is missing it's mark. I include myself in this church that is missing it's mark.
We can continue in the direction that we are going, or we can stand up and make the necessary changes that bring glory to our Father in heaven. We can not afford to let our pride get in the way of correction, as our actions leave their marks on someone around us.
What kind of marks do we want to be leaving?
At the end of the day we need to strive to ensure that all that we do and all that we are keep Christ at our center. We need to be reading His Word daily and be in prayer constantly, in word and in deed.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (New International Version)
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
The question is, are we willing to let God bring us back from captivity? Are we willing to let God carry us out of our exile?
We can not do it on our own. We need Christ ultimately and we need each other as brothers and sisters as well.
I will reiterate that it is very easy for us to lose focus of what is really important, loving God, loving others, providing the Gospel of Christ to anyone and everyone willing to hear.
All else is for not in the grand scheme of things. The Disciples were sent out with nothing but the robe on their back and their sandals. Everything else was to be provided by God through willing participants. We worry to easily about the things of this world. Myself included.
These are my responses:
Response #1:
James 1:19-20 (New International Version)
Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
In all that we do and all that we say, we should measure these things against the Word of God.
A picture in and of itself means nothing. It is the spirit behind the picture that means everything. For us as Christ followers, that spirit is the spirit of salvation, through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. But, the reality of it is, the victory against death was not on the cross, but in the cave, where Christ was buried. The cross was the vehicle that helped to bring about that victory.
Symbolism in our culture is taken very seriously, as it was back in the times of the 1st century Christians, for their symbol was the fish. <>< This helped them to recognize other Christians and helped them to not get caught and persecuted.
If Christ's death sentence were to be carried out today, what does that look like?
Would it be by electric chair? lethal injection? firing squad?
Would we then place an small chair around our neck? a needle? a rifle?
It is not the symbolism that we claim that is important. It is what we hold in our hearts for those around us, which we are told is to be love. This does not mean there isn't a need to rebuke at times, as everyone of us needs to be held accountable and helped to stay on that narrow path in search of that narrow gate, as we are told:
Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
If we have truly claimed our inheritance that God has given us through Christ, this walk is a team effort.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
which takes us back to:
James 1:19-20 (New International Version)
Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Response #2 was in regard to what this christian group stood for first and foremost. The answer of love came up, which I would agree with, and then what picture represented a Godly love.
#2
I really think that it goes so much further than a picture. We can spend a great deal of time and energy into this picture thing, or we can focus on what God created us for, the two greatest commandments, loving God with all that we are and loving others.
Then comes the great commission, making sure that everyone has a chance at salvation. There really isn't anything more than that.
I really didn't want to answer my own question, but it is so very easy for us to get side tracked and lose focus of what is truly important.
Satan wants nothing more than for us to be infighting and distracted at the true cause of our group.
What can we do better as a group of Christians to love those around us?
Christ told the prince to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Are we willing to do just that?
The good Samaritan went far out of his way to ensure that the man on the side of the road was not just taken care of, but taken care of well. Are we willing to do that?
Christ spoke to the woman at the well, going against what society at that time dictated. Who in our life are we to step out of this box of society and speak to?
I have heard on three different occasions since Christmas, Ezekiel 37 about prophesying to dry bones.
We live in a society that is so very dry and we need to be prophesying and praying that the breath of God fills them and brings them to life.
Is there a picture that can do this?
We are Christ's bride and we are not perfect and that is ok. When our imperfections show themselves, we need to ask for forgiveness and move forward towards our purpose that God has created us for. We need to seek the face of the One who died for us and align ourselves with His will, not ours.
I feel like I am on a soap box, but the more I learn and study, the more I realize how far the church is missing it's mark. I include myself in this church that is missing it's mark.
We can continue in the direction that we are going, or we can stand up and make the necessary changes that bring glory to our Father in heaven. We can not afford to let our pride get in the way of correction, as our actions leave their marks on someone around us.
What kind of marks do we want to be leaving?
At the end of the day we need to strive to ensure that all that we do and all that we are keep Christ at our center. We need to be reading His Word daily and be in prayer constantly, in word and in deed.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (New International Version)
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
The question is, are we willing to let God bring us back from captivity? Are we willing to let God carry us out of our exile?
We can not do it on our own. We need Christ ultimately and we need each other as brothers and sisters as well.
I will reiterate that it is very easy for us to lose focus of what is really important, loving God, loving others, providing the Gospel of Christ to anyone and everyone willing to hear.
All else is for not in the grand scheme of things. The Disciples were sent out with nothing but the robe on their back and their sandals. Everything else was to be provided by God through willing participants. We worry to easily about the things of this world. Myself included.
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