The Christian faith is an active faith, it is not passive. If your idea of being a Christian is being a relatively nice person, wearing a cross, sitting in a church pew weekly (or monthly), and telling people you'll "pray for them" (and feeling righteous saying it) then you're missing the point and it is doubtful that your faith is alive at all.
A true belief in Jesus Christ-very God of very God- holding onto the powerful truth of His death and resurrection, is a transforming and radical faith. God changes your ideas about the world, about other people, about yourself; He takes what is unclean within you and changes you for the better. You are gifted with the knowledge that however rough this life might be, you have an anchor in God and the promise of an eternity with Him. You know that you will be tested for your faith, that you will have trials and temptations and you welcome them, for they are a mark of being a Christian. You see the people in your life differently; you cherish your loved ones all the more, you find yourself caring for the hurting and vulnerable around you, you honor the elders in your life and guard the young. You cannot say "I'll pray for you" flippantly or in passing to those in need, you pray fervently and do something to help if you can. (For if you have the ability to help but don't, and only pray, then what good does that do? (1 John 3:17, James 2:14-17) The more you belong to Christ the more you will love and have compassion on others. You understand that being part of a church is not being a member of a social club, but part of the body of Christ; and the role of the church is to spread the Gospel and transform the world through Christ's love. You know that this earth, filled with the beauty of God's creation and the horror of man's sins, is not your home but that you are merely passing through- yet it is your duty to do all you can to make it a better place on your way home to God.
This faith is not passive, it is active. It is powerful, life changing and awesome. There are no half hearted Christians, you are either all in or not at all. You are either God's adopted child and ambassador, or you have set yourself against Him. The lukewarm Christian will not be accepted. Make sure you are fervent for the Lord, for He is wildly, madly and overwhelmingly in love with you. You are His precious child, the apple of His eye; your name is carved on His hands and He desires you to be with Him for all eternity. Such a love deserves your love in return.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
A true belief in Jesus Christ-very God of very God- holding onto the powerful truth of His death and resurrection, is a transforming and radical faith. God changes your ideas about the world, about other people, about yourself; He takes what is unclean within you and changes you for the better. You are gifted with the knowledge that however rough this life might be, you have an anchor in God and the promise of an eternity with Him. You know that you will be tested for your faith, that you will have trials and temptations and you welcome them, for they are a mark of being a Christian. You see the people in your life differently; you cherish your loved ones all the more, you find yourself caring for the hurting and vulnerable around you, you honor the elders in your life and guard the young. You cannot say "I'll pray for you" flippantly or in passing to those in need, you pray fervently and do something to help if you can. (For if you have the ability to help but don't, and only pray, then what good does that do? (1 John 3:17, James 2:14-17) The more you belong to Christ the more you will love and have compassion on others. You understand that being part of a church is not being a member of a social club, but part of the body of Christ; and the role of the church is to spread the Gospel and transform the world through Christ's love. You know that this earth, filled with the beauty of God's creation and the horror of man's sins, is not your home but that you are merely passing through- yet it is your duty to do all you can to make it a better place on your way home to God.
This faith is not passive, it is active. It is powerful, life changing and awesome. There are no half hearted Christians, you are either all in or not at all. You are either God's adopted child and ambassador, or you have set yourself against Him. The lukewarm Christian will not be accepted. Make sure you are fervent for the Lord, for He is wildly, madly and overwhelmingly in love with you. You are His precious child, the apple of His eye; your name is carved on His hands and He desires you to be with Him for all eternity. Such a love deserves your love in return.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
No comments:
Post a Comment