You see I realized that one of the problems I was having at the other dealership is that there were people there who were hung up on a title, or a position. They felt like they had to tell everyone that they were a manager. I realized this because yesterday I heard a couple of guys at my new job do the exact same thing, and I had to just laugh.It amazes me how people think a title like "Manager" gives them power, or authority, when what they really are or have is a "title" that means actually nothing when the pavement meets the road. They have no power to make a decision or handle any situation without asking for help themselves because they don't have the skill or experience needed to do such a thing. In most situations "manager" means longer hours, less pay and no respect. This I know as I have spent the majority of my adult life in the management field.
After i stopped chuckling, I asked myself this question, do I have any titles and if I do what authority or "power" does that title allow me? And instantly of course the title "Christian" came into my mind . As a believer of Christ, there's another title for you, I carry the title of Christian everywhere I go. When I talk to people I always try to let them know that A) Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and B) he could be theirs as well.This means that if I am going to claim that title, or title of Believer of Christ, or Follower of Christ, or Child of God, (and I could go on and on) Etc., then I must be exactly what that title says.
You see in Titus 2:7 we are told " In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness" but more so in 1 Peter 2:21-23 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. " We, as CHRISTIANS, are being watched daily. People judge a person who calls themselves a Christian harder than they do a murderer. If you don't believe me, look around this world. We have folks in other nations that have to wait until dark and then slip in under cover of that darkness to a house and then hold services with temporary light, such as maybe a candle or small lamp of some kind. They do this because for them to worship Christ openly IS A CRIME in their nation. In some areas it's a crime punishable by death. That's right Death. But a murderer gets to spend the rest of their natural life in a prison being taken care of by those same people who will kill a Christian, strictly because of a title. We are to follow the example that Jesus gave us. He who committed no sin is to be our example. When someone makes you mad and the first thing you want to do is give them a cursing, THINK Would Jesus do that? The answer to that of course is NO. So if he wouldn't why would you, because you know the moment the first dirty word comes out of your mouth, your going to hear that's right go ahead cuss Mr "I go to church and I am perfect".Well number 1 we know that as a Christian we are not perfect we are just forgiven. But the world doesn't see it that way they see it as we are to be perfect. Can we be, no but we can sure strive to be. I mean after all Jesus , he who knew no sin, is our example. The title of Christian is a very hard title to live up to, but we must strive to do just that. Our lives are under a microscope and any slip up , whether it be small or large, we will be criticized and persecuted, strictly because people have no Idea what the title of Christian actually means.
Well what about those who think their title hold power, does the title of Christian hold any power. Well my answer to that is it most certainly does. In Acts 1:7-8, Jesus himself , right before his ascension says to the followers on Mt Olivet " It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."....Did you hear that YE SHALL HAVE POWER. Well what kind of power? Well power to pray the blessing of heaven down unto salvation of those who need salvation. Power to ask for healing and receive it. Power to heal the sick, comfort the hurting. Power to preach the word, for without the preaching of the word not all nations can hear the word of God. We have power brothers and sisters, power to be a witness for Christ. We don't have this power because of a title, we have a title because we accepted Christ into our hearts and lives, making him Lord over our lives which gives us power, which in turn gives the right to carry the title of Christian.
We must remember a title is pretty much a useless word in front of our names, but if we carry that title of Christian we must act as a Christian. In 1 Thes. 5:22 we are told to "Abstain from all appearance of evil " which means we must, in everything we do, ask ourselves before we do or before we partake of any substance, would Jesus do this? and if you cannot answer yes to that question then brother or sister we must not do it.We must not partake of it. We must follow the example of Christ in all we do. For some this will be a radical concept, because a lot of things they currently do will have to be stopped, For some this is how you live you lives already. For some out there nothing will change because they take the title of Christian loosely, and for them I am sorry because they are straddling the fence. Their walk with Christ is a lukewarm fence straddling experience at the moment, and in Revelations 3:15-22 Jesus himself tells us " I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. "
I don't know about you brother and sister, but the thought of being Spue'd out of God's mouth like vomit out of a overstuffed vulture does not sound appealing to me. If I claim the title of Christian then I must be exactly what the title implies. An honest to goodness follower of Jesus Christ who is born again and walking the road to Heaven. If you do not know Jesus then please contact me and let me help you to find Jesus. Let me help you down the road that leads to eternal life. If you are one who is "lukewarm" then I beg of you today evaluate your walk with Christ today and if need be then as he said in Revelations 3, Repent .
I look forward to seeing you on the other side of Eternity someday if I do not get the chance to meet you on this side. Have a good night all and God Bless.
In Christ's Love,
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