Jesus didn't come to change the world. He came to save all who would accept Him as their Savior. In turn, their lives would shine for all to see the Kingdom of God through them. That would ultimately change their world!
During the Welsh revival of 1904-1905, over 150,000 souls were saved! Bars and jails were empty and the police had very little to do. Believers didn't push to outlaw alcohol or get tough on crime. The communities saw the power of the Holy Spirit working through people and repented. Jesus came into their hearts and they were changed from the inside out.
It is time for us to stop shoving our morals and standards
down the world's throat!
They need to see the Kingdom at work in our lives!
They just need Jesus.
But all too often, instead of believers showing the world Jesus, they try to force God's laws and principles upon them. God's Constitution is here to guide and direct believers and show them how to live. It teaches us how to interact with this world. We are not here to police the lost and dying of this world. We are not here to force them to live in a manner that doesn't fit their sinful lives. That is not salvation! We are here to be an example and lead them to Jesus Christ. Only He can "fix" them. Only He cleanses all the sin and unrighteousness from their lives. Only He can change the desires of their hearts.
If we are living a Kingdom life, they will WANT what we have. They will ask, in times of great turmoil, how we can have so much peace. Where do we get our joy, when there is nothing to be happy about? How did we get through being jobless and still be provided for and have peace? How is our lives so drama-free?
Yes, we need to be a walking, talking, uncompromising reflection of Jesus and Kingdom living and lead them to Jesus and the life they could be living. If we can do that, there will be no need to force our morals and standards upon the world. But sometimes it is easier to legislate morality than to give up our pet sins.
In 1 Peter 4:17-18, it says: For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also,
“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”
Think about that a moment..."If the righteous are BARELY saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" That thought alone should bring you to your knees! We do not have to fight the world and force them to be moral, upright, heterosexual and not follow their lusts, waving the banner "If it feels good, do it!" No! We seem to have no problem debating, arguing, protesting and legislating our beliefs. The problem is that, in our hearts, far too many believers are embracing the world and are unable to truly be examples of what life in the Kingdom looks like.
The world needs to see uncompromising Kingdom citizens, raising a standard and not being swayed by the world and what it has to offer. Verse 17 speaks to the crux of the matter: "For the time has come for judgment, and it MUST begin with God's household." When you live the life of a compromised, carnal believer, you not only affect your life, but the lives of those around you. How many of your friends, family and co-workers will be lost for eternity because they look at how you live your life as a believer and say "At least I'm not a hypocrite. I may be living like hell, but I'm honest about it!"
The world is a mess. It is a cesspool of sin, perversion and every kind of wickedness you could imagine. You say you want to change the world? Here is the way:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-27 NLT Put your selfish desires and urges on that cross daily. Die to self so you can live for Him. People are watching you on their highway to hell. What are you going to do?
Believe me or dismiss me, but it is time for those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ to get their house in order. How?
Repent. Clean the slate and put the past in the past.
Don't let one day go by without feeding on God's Word; not a popular religious book or the latest from your favorite ministry. Read God's Constitution. That is your only real TRUTH. Find scriptures that speak to you and meditate on them.
Get discipled. Find a mentor whom you respect as being more spiritually mature than you are and spend some time with them, even if it's buying them lunch occasionally and talking. Be real, be honest about your struggles and your questions.
Repeat after me, daily if necessary: "I die to self. It's not about me. It's about Jesus"
When you get full of God's Word, your faith will get stronger and you will hear from the Holy Spirit more clearly. When you get full of God's Word, you will shine with Kingdom life everywhere you go. The more darkness you walk into, the brighter you will shine!
There is a LOT of dim bulbs who call themselves believers. It's time to shine brightly. The world is depending on it. Deep down they want to see someone actually live what they say they believe. Be the one!
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd
Shine brightly brothers and sisters. Let no one miss your Kingdom glow!
Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,
Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
During the Welsh revival of 1904-1905, over 150,000 souls were saved! Bars and jails were empty and the police had very little to do. Believers didn't push to outlaw alcohol or get tough on crime. The communities saw the power of the Holy Spirit working through people and repented. Jesus came into their hearts and they were changed from the inside out.
It is time for us to stop shoving our morals and standards
down the world's throat!
They need to see the Kingdom at work in our lives!
They just need Jesus.
But all too often, instead of believers showing the world Jesus, they try to force God's laws and principles upon them. God's Constitution is here to guide and direct believers and show them how to live. It teaches us how to interact with this world. We are not here to police the lost and dying of this world. We are not here to force them to live in a manner that doesn't fit their sinful lives. That is not salvation! We are here to be an example and lead them to Jesus Christ. Only He can "fix" them. Only He cleanses all the sin and unrighteousness from their lives. Only He can change the desires of their hearts.
If we are living a Kingdom life, they will WANT what we have. They will ask, in times of great turmoil, how we can have so much peace. Where do we get our joy, when there is nothing to be happy about? How did we get through being jobless and still be provided for and have peace? How is our lives so drama-free?
Yes, we need to be a walking, talking, uncompromising reflection of Jesus and Kingdom living and lead them to Jesus and the life they could be living. If we can do that, there will be no need to force our morals and standards upon the world. But sometimes it is easier to legislate morality than to give up our pet sins.
In 1 Peter 4:17-18, it says: For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also,
“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”
Think about that a moment..."If the righteous are BARELY saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" That thought alone should bring you to your knees! We do not have to fight the world and force them to be moral, upright, heterosexual and not follow their lusts, waving the banner "If it feels good, do it!" No! We seem to have no problem debating, arguing, protesting and legislating our beliefs. The problem is that, in our hearts, far too many believers are embracing the world and are unable to truly be examples of what life in the Kingdom looks like.
The world needs to see uncompromising Kingdom citizens, raising a standard and not being swayed by the world and what it has to offer. Verse 17 speaks to the crux of the matter: "For the time has come for judgment, and it MUST begin with God's household." When you live the life of a compromised, carnal believer, you not only affect your life, but the lives of those around you. How many of your friends, family and co-workers will be lost for eternity because they look at how you live your life as a believer and say "At least I'm not a hypocrite. I may be living like hell, but I'm honest about it!"
The world is a mess. It is a cesspool of sin, perversion and every kind of wickedness you could imagine. You say you want to change the world? Here is the way:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-27 NLT Put your selfish desires and urges on that cross daily. Die to self so you can live for Him. People are watching you on their highway to hell. What are you going to do?
Believe me or dismiss me, but it is time for those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ to get their house in order. How?
Repent. Clean the slate and put the past in the past.
Don't let one day go by without feeding on God's Word; not a popular religious book or the latest from your favorite ministry. Read God's Constitution. That is your only real TRUTH. Find scriptures that speak to you and meditate on them.
Get discipled. Find a mentor whom you respect as being more spiritually mature than you are and spend some time with them, even if it's buying them lunch occasionally and talking. Be real, be honest about your struggles and your questions.
Repeat after me, daily if necessary: "I die to self. It's not about me. It's about Jesus"
When you get full of God's Word, your faith will get stronger and you will hear from the Holy Spirit more clearly. When you get full of God's Word, you will shine with Kingdom life everywhere you go. The more darkness you walk into, the brighter you will shine!
There is a LOT of dim bulbs who call themselves believers. It's time to shine brightly. The world is depending on it. Deep down they want to see someone actually live what they say they believe. Be the one!
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd
Shine brightly brothers and sisters. Let no one miss your Kingdom glow!
Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,
Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
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