Jesus- the Ultimate Counselor.
In response to the blog entry from: http://kathrynthomas.org/musings/
I really liked the below quote, although found it funny which colors you tagged for Christian and pagan.
"life is not black (i'm a christian) or white (i'm a pagan); life is messy and dirty. we need the freedom and security to fall down sometimes."
Yeah, as a kid growing up it seems like a black and white world. But now as I've grown up I've realized its much more convoluted than that. Life is complex. Yes, there are absolutes but as fallen people trying to emulate Christ we cannot live absolutely perfect in our relationship with Christ. Trying to live as if were perfect before each other and before non-believers is where we come up short, where we are labeled hypocrites.
We should feel free to embrace our failures and use them as an instrument to point to Christ's amazing grace in our life. Our sin should be a testimony for our need for Christ.
So the issue at hand is that as Christians we aren't doing the best job relating our relationship with Christ to those around us.
All too often we look like everyone else around us. I am so guilty of this.
So how do I deal with others in a way that allows me to be salt and light?
The amazing thing about Jesus is that he entered into everyone's world. He met people where they were. He sat down for dinner with the prostitutes while the disciples raised their eyebrows outside. He befriended the despised tax collectors and Samaritans.
He comforted Martha and Mary in different ways when Lazarus died. He wept with Mary and spoke about spiritual truths with Martha. They needed to be comforted in different ways and Jesus knew that. He is the ultimate counselor and should be a wonderful model for us. When it came down to it he dealt with people with authenticity and love.
There is the connection we all seek. We all want authenticity and love. Operating from this perspective would set us apart.
Meeting the people around us where their at shows genuine care and love.
"The question is not where are the Christians, but what are the Christians "where they are." - Os Guinness
posted by Jordan @ 11:08 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I think that being open, candid, and confessional with others, including non-believers, about our struggles is a very powerful way to share with others. Time and again I hear people express that they think a particular Christian is "perfect" and doesn't have any real problems. Sharing how God helps us with our struggles rather than pretending we don't have any is a wonderful way to relate with others and encourage them in their walk with Christ and to ask questions and seek Godly influences, etc.
I enjoy your blog and look forward to reading it--especially about you and your soon-to-be wife!
"Our sin should be a testimony for our need for Christ."
That is a great way to put the meaning of GRACE into its rightful context. The song doesn’t say, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a PERSON like me" or "a wretch like YOU". It’s "a WRETCH like ME". How easily we can forget our need for grace when we exalt ourselves or finger point at others.
May Christ continue to condescend to us, exalting Himself through us.
Right on! the price is right for Spam
thanks ally, and you can quote me any time. just as long as when you paste it you do the ditto signs with your fingers a couple times.
:)
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