Proving Yourself To The World

Below, I have shared a fellow sister's recent blog entry.  I encourage all of us who profess Christ to heed these words.  Whose side are we on?

Proving Yourself to the World

I have seen some Christians seemingly list a number of disclaimers prior to attempting to speaking the Gospel.

I am not trying to judge...I love everyone... I hate the sin, but love the sinner...I am not trying to push my beliefs on anyone...I respect everyone's rights... 

Why take such pains to prove that you align with what the world considers a "Christian"?

Why go to such lengths to prove that you are "loving"?

Why the preface to prove that you are not "judging"?

Why feel the need to prove yourself to the world?

I don't recall any disciple of Christ ever taking this attitude, and I have to think it is because they just didn't care.

I am not saying that they didn't care about the people.  Clearly they cared about the people anytime they took the time to tell them the truth.  I am saying that they didn't care how people responded to the message.  Why?  Because they trusted the Holy Spirit.  The trusted the Holy Spirit to guide them in what to say (and how to say it) and they trusted the Holy Spirit to give understanding to those with ears to hear.  And they knew that many would not have ears to hear.

There is a difference between explaining things vs. feeling compelled to apologize for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The motive behind that is fear of rejection.  Yet, if you cut allegiances with the world now, then you won't care about their rejection.  In other words, you only feel rejected from those through whom youstill seek acceptance.  Once you know you have been accepted in the Beloved, you will be whole and not require validation from others.

Some need to be reminded of the words of the Lord:

"Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee." Jeremiah 1:17-19

As the days grow more dark, we are sure to encounter fierce opposition.  In the days of Acts, people became so incensed at the Gospel that they would stone you to death.  Do we have any doubt regarding the level of hatred that people feel towards Christ today?  If you do not know, I assure you that it will become more apparent very shortly.

It is time to gird up your loins and proclaim the Good News with no regard for person.  The Gospel doesn't change, no matter to whom you are speaking; mother, brother, neighbor, stranger, president, king, pope, etc.  Pray to God to be able to speak His word will all boldness.

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus... 

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:13, 29-31

There is no way to show the world what a Christian is than to die to yourself and let the life of Christ manifest from within.  The lost (even in Church) don't need your impression of Christ or even the world's emulation of Christ; they need Christ.