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Friday, April 1, 2016

What marks a christian?

What marks a christian? As I look upon my life I started to think in what ways do I show that I am a Christian ( a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ). Is it that I go to church most Sundays? Is it that my speech does not contain those so called bad words? That I give money to charities? That I try to act 'good' ; following most laws.. Or that As we know that doing all those things are good... but they are only a small part of what marks a Christian. For even people that are not believers can do these things 'good' things and some even better than us believers; with the exception (maybe) of going to Church. This a big topic. We can talk about knowing them by their fruits and how much what type... their walk... their trust... their prayer life... their occupation... For us we look at the external thing we can see and do. That seems to be our focus the things that are seen by men and the things that are heard by men. What is this one aspect of being a Christian that I am leading to? One that is over looked, put aside and even think is being done... that is forgiveness. forgiving people (person) who have hurt you, done things to you, said things about you, dislike you, despises you... if you have acted badly. More over when you have not acted badly. Or even worst when you are doing the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One more more over, that it is another Christian. When we are hurt by someone... it hurts it is not comfortable... words hurt. No matter what you think words hurt and can hurt deep long... Here's the deal not many are ready to ask for forgiveness when they do things. Verbal deeds are even easier to discard... We all sin, even as Christians we all sin. We all need to ask for forgiveness. Now here is the big thing that marks a Christian. that we forgive! Christians are to forgive just as God forgives us. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God." Eph.2:8-9. Grace, unmerited favor. You forgive not because one deserves it. You do it to show grace as God showed grace to you. Forgiveness also involves mercy. Mercy involves the stay of judgement, taking away of the penalty. taking away of the guilt; setting one free if you will. Just like it never happened. Restored! Now that needs to be something that is part of our thinking; the forefront of our thinking. Ready to forgive. Ready to forgive our spouse, our children, our parents, brothers sisters, other Christians, friends, co-workers... What marks believers? their ability to forgive over and over. What makes our God so great... Is that He is a forgiving God and that He paid the price for our sins... through Christ. You see forgiveness requires that you pay the price. That you give up you right... forgiveness is not easy, but it is freeing for the two; one receiving and the one giving. Matt. 6:12 "And forgive us our debt, as we also have forgiven others debt." Mark 11:25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions."