Day Twenty-Eight: Do I know you?



For You are our Peace

        Christians are often stereotyped with the idea that if you do not believe the same as them then they want to send you to hell. This may have started with the idea that James and John presented to Jesus about the Samarians. They wanted to call fire down from heaven due to a small infraction. But Jesus had other plans, he arranged for John to be an ambassador to the Samarians. And this is the part that non-beleivers don't understand about Christians: we are being tested in our faith and God is leading us to overcome our prejudices and love the people he loves especially those that could easily be our enemies.
      As a Christian, it is easy to walk our your faith among those who agree with you, but walking out your faith among those who don't believe is a bit more of a challenge. Walking out your faith among those who want to challenge your faith or even attack you for your faith, that is what Christians are called to do. Not to convert others, that is the work of the Holy Spirit, but rather to grow you in your faith and discipleship and go our and share God's love through Christ.
     It doesn't take long to know who shares your faith and who doesn't, even among those who claim to be Christians but don't back up their beliefs with their actions. Not saying that we all back up our claims with action 100% of the time. However, some say they believe Christ died for them but clearly their lives do not show any signs of change. You can't have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit without seeing some kind of change from your unbeleiving life. It is a constant journey to grow in your faith and become more like Christ in every part of your life. If nothing is changing, then it begs the question of who or what you are following.
     Relationships and relations are some of the most difficult challenges God gives us. How do we deal with people who don't think like us? Who don't believe what we beleive? And even those who attack the beliefs we hold most precious? Curiously those who don't beleive in Jesus have the same questions. Why do you think the topic of tolerance comes up over and over and over? Its like the world is shouting out "Why can't we all just get along? Why can't we all just have it our own way?" The answer is simple no matter what you believe: You can't beleive you are right and at the same time beleive someone who believe some thing that contradicts with that is right, too. But you can appreciate their search for the truth and believe in the promises of Christ who says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. Seek me and  you will find me." That promise is for everyone no matter what they believe right now!

STUDY GUIDE:

 Follow along in JOHN: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore pages 131-136
 Read Acts 8:14-25
 Answer the questions in your study guide.
 Share a brief highlight or two from your thoughts and answers in a comment posted to the group. (Read guidelines and cautions posted August 1, 2010 before you post).
 Read the comments of others and share your thoughts and encouragement with them by replying to their comments. Identify which post you are responding to by addressing them and their subject or pasting a brief portion of their reply at the start of your post.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord, Thank you for loving us even before we were true believers. Thank you for the ones you brought to us to teach us your truth and who loved us in our unbelief. Help us to love all of your children. Give us the strength and the wisdom and the love in our hearts to be your ambassadors to those who beleive differently, to those who challenge our faith, and to those who attack us for our faith. Give us the words and the time to speak and the time to be quiet so we  can go out into the world and make difference. In Jesus Name, Amen.