hey everyone. Someone sent me a message that I need to comment here so Here I am before you dear friends.
I think you did not get the meaning of the quote. It means that a Christian without Christ is nothing.
well anyway, I'm sorry if I offended you. What is a Christian without Christ? Is he really something?
In John 15:5 Jesus said that
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you are nothing.
John 15:6 expounded it as: If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
It is saddening that some of us have no love for Jesus who in his unfailing love for us, offered himself as a living sacrifice to cleanse us from our sin.
Sadly, this verse in the Bible turns out to be pretty much true isn't it?
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and you will be hated by a lot of people because of me."
- Jesus Christ, Matthew 24:9.
I have no intention of tearing you apart, yet behold the word of Jesus Christ written under the hands of Paul:
Romans 3:13-18
"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Dear friends, perhaps as we walk along in our lives, take time to think about these verses. Does Christ intend to do you any harm? That you hated him so much? What did Jesus do to you that you have to disown him like that? Is by working in the name of Christ detestable to your eyes? Do we intend to drop a payload unto your shoulders? Is your throat an open grave?
Why do we have to be cruel to our neighbors? Do you find joy in saying bad things against others? When Jesus was wronged, did he curse his accuser? Did he not say, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do?" - Luke 23:34
Dear friends, I hope that you will also find that passion in your heart. Instead of fanning the flames, we should first pray for those who offended us. Pray for guidance and light. Pray for forgiveness.
Will persecuting each other bring peace amongst us? By fanning the flames would it really help bring forth peace?
Anyway, dear brothers and sisters, I hope we can all find in ourselves the forgiveness Christ has offered us. I offer no grudge nor deceit... but only the word of the Lord.
If you find that what I said is incorrect, I am sorry dear friends, but I cannot change the fact that without Christ, a Christian is nothing... and yes, I am a Christian... and truly, being a genuine Christian is admitting that you are nothing without Christ.
If you find it in your hearts to say bad things to your brother, I will not keep you from doing so. Yet, if you find it otherwise, then Praise God, for He has opened your eyes not to sin. I will not judge anyone, because God is the rightful judge.
May God punish me, be it so severely, if what I said is untrue. :)
Anyway, if you have even a little love for God, dear friends, I encourage you to pray this with me together:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day that you have given us... for all the blessing and wisdom that you shone upon us. May we no longer be divided, but lovingly correct each other's mistake, help each othe grow and be a better person, and ultimately remain in your love. Please send forth your light to each one of us, that we may find wisdom and truth all in your grace.
I will continue oh my God to do all my actions for the love of you.
All these we pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN!
Grace and Peace be With You.