Greetings Dear Reader,
My Daughter often will step on the back of my shoe. This is a lifelong habit of hers. She responds in fear when she does it because
of the responses of others before she came to be with us. She apologizes profusely, explaining that she
did not mean to do it. I have begun to thank
her for it. I explain to her that it is
a good reminder of how we are supposed to follow Christ and that my wish is for
both of us to remember this.
I am required to stand out as a follower of Jesus. I am supposed to be odd, uncommon, and out of
step with the rest of the world. The
reasons I am that way are what matters.
It is not because I judge, condemn, or rail against sin. I am supposed to live a holy life but not a
holier than anyone else life. I am to
remember that I am the least. I am to constantly
recall that what I have in Christ is a gift to be shared.
The word “Christian” should be a badge of honor. Instead it communicates judgment and condemnation. It pushes political buttons instead of social
and spiritual ones. Our banner is no longer
a beacon of hope but a symbol of rejection.
I do not need the word “Christian” nearly as much as I need to be as
close as possible to the Living Word, Jesus.
I think that the word can be reformed and reclaimed but it
will take a massive change in the hearts of so many. I cannot judge others who claim to be
Christian. That too is not my
place. What is needed, however, is for
everyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus to set aside everything that
detracts from the commands to love God and to love each other.
I hope, as I said at the beginning of this series that you
understand that I am thinking through things to enable me to follow Christ more
closely. My desire is to be the little
kid who steps on the back of his sandal.
Whenever I form an opinion on anything my filter must be, “Is that how Jesus
would show his love?” There must be a
balance of justice, holiness, righteousness, and good that aligns with God’s
character but the foundation for all of it is love.
So Dear Reader, hold all who claim to follow Christ to these
standards. Demand that we treat others
as we would be treated. Insist that we
hold back judgment and condemnation in favor of kindness and compassion. We can do this without compromising our standards
of righteousness and justice. Most of
all, mandate that we live lives that reflect infinite love for God and others. All you are doing is echoing what Jesus already
requires of his followers. We all need
to be stepping on the back of his sandal.
Jesus
Friend of Sinners – Casting Crowns
Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours
to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over
me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double
minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what
breaks yours
Yeah
Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their
hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their
knees
No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the
wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and
loved like You did
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what
breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at
Your feet
'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures
forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what
breaks Yours
And I was the lost 'cause and I was the outcast, Yeah
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your
feet
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer
who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home
owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
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