Look what I found on Facebook:
"Jesus taught and showed us the way. He suffered horribly, died, and rose to get us to respond so we can be forgiven. He will return to judge the world and welcome into his kingdom only those who gave their lives to the will of God and the good of their neighbor.
In response to this, I (the reader) have decided to do the following:
A.) To attend church services most Sundays, read the bible or pray for a few minutes each day, and give a small amount of my income to help pay my pastor's salary while I spend most of my money on things I don't actually need, most of my free time on fun activities and entertainment, and most of my energy pursuing a higher quality of life than is necessary for me/my family.
B.) To faithfully attend church services and other weekly church events, to pray a few times each day, to give a decent sized chunk of my income to my church and to missions but not so much that it will affect my lifestyle in any significant way, to invite people to my church here and there, and to do bible study or community group once a week or so, while I spend most of my money on things I don't actually need, most of my free time on fun activities and entertainment, and most of my energy pursuing a higher quality of life than is necessary for me/my family.
C.) To do what Jesus said to do, which is to just give him my whole life - to wave goodbye to the selfish lifestyle I was living, stop wasting time and money on things that are not necessary or useful for the mission my Master has given me, and strive forward with all my heart like I actually believe this stuff and like Jesus is really everything to me, learning to obey all he commanded, honestly seeking to prioritize my neighbor's needs as though they were my own, trying to help as many people as I can to be ready to give Jesus an account with whatever gifts and abilities God has given me, and staying awake and ready for my Master to return at any time - all the way to the end.
Which of these options is the only one that really makes sense in light of what Jesus has done?
If you are claiming to be a Christian, and if you had to circle the option that most closely describes how you are actually responding to Jesus, which one would it be? If it is not option C.), why not? What are you waiting for? I promise that, while it comes with an enormous price tag, option C.) is far more exciting and fulfilling, and that it has something far better waiting for us at the end of it, than option A.) or B.).
Please let me know if you'd like to talk."
My response was:
"I wish I can say that I am on C, but I may still tiptoeing between C and B, I fear, even closer to B. I do have an assembling, and no one asks for a tithe there, and I make sure to pass out not only tracts, but also teachings about God's word generally , but I still have the weekness of spending money on sweets. I need to make sure that NOTHING I spend money on is something useless, and sweets certainly are [useless]. They aren't good for us. I plan to be a gospel musician like brother Brackin [Sounds Like Reign], however, I do fear that my motives are not perfect."
I have fully understood what this brother meant, and no, before you ask, he didn't command asceticism. We certainly can have things to enjoy, no doubt, but what do we use it for? A motorcycle as an example is a fun object, but why don't we put some Bible verses on it? And then, do we only use it to enjoy ourselves, or do we use it to travel to those that need our help? After all, we are ministers full time, Christ is no hobby, but our saviour who died for us, and we ought to be ready to die for him too.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. " 1 Corinthians 10:31
"Jesus taught and showed us the way. He suffered horribly, died, and rose to get us to respond so we can be forgiven. He will return to judge the world and welcome into his kingdom only those who gave their lives to the will of God and the good of their neighbor.
In response to this, I (the reader) have decided to do the following:
A.) To attend church services most Sundays, read the bible or pray for a few minutes each day, and give a small amount of my income to help pay my pastor's salary while I spend most of my money on things I don't actually need, most of my free time on fun activities and entertainment, and most of my energy pursuing a higher quality of life than is necessary for me/my family.
B.) To faithfully attend church services and other weekly church events, to pray a few times each day, to give a decent sized chunk of my income to my church and to missions but not so much that it will affect my lifestyle in any significant way, to invite people to my church here and there, and to do bible study or community group once a week or so, while I spend most of my money on things I don't actually need, most of my free time on fun activities and entertainment, and most of my energy pursuing a higher quality of life than is necessary for me/my family.
C.) To do what Jesus said to do, which is to just give him my whole life - to wave goodbye to the selfish lifestyle I was living, stop wasting time and money on things that are not necessary or useful for the mission my Master has given me, and strive forward with all my heart like I actually believe this stuff and like Jesus is really everything to me, learning to obey all he commanded, honestly seeking to prioritize my neighbor's needs as though they were my own, trying to help as many people as I can to be ready to give Jesus an account with whatever gifts and abilities God has given me, and staying awake and ready for my Master to return at any time - all the way to the end.
Which of these options is the only one that really makes sense in light of what Jesus has done?
If you are claiming to be a Christian, and if you had to circle the option that most closely describes how you are actually responding to Jesus, which one would it be? If it is not option C.), why not? What are you waiting for? I promise that, while it comes with an enormous price tag, option C.) is far more exciting and fulfilling, and that it has something far better waiting for us at the end of it, than option A.) or B.).
Please let me know if you'd like to talk."
My response was:
"I wish I can say that I am on C, but I may still tiptoeing between C and B, I fear, even closer to B. I do have an assembling, and no one asks for a tithe there, and I make sure to pass out not only tracts, but also teachings about God's word generally , but I still have the weekness of spending money on sweets. I need to make sure that NOTHING I spend money on is something useless, and sweets certainly are [useless]. They aren't good for us. I plan to be a gospel musician like brother Brackin [Sounds Like Reign], however, I do fear that my motives are not perfect."
I have fully understood what this brother meant, and no, before you ask, he didn't command asceticism. We certainly can have things to enjoy, no doubt, but what do we use it for? A motorcycle as an example is a fun object, but why don't we put some Bible verses on it? And then, do we only use it to enjoy ourselves, or do we use it to travel to those that need our help? After all, we are ministers full time, Christ is no hobby, but our saviour who died for us, and we ought to be ready to die for him too.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. " 1 Corinthians 10:31
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