This week starts a series of articles that Nader has written. I must admit that after reading what he wrote and using the numerous Bible verses he has shared to examine my life, I know that I am a work in progress. We all are. But I do hope that others can see an inkling of Christ in me. And, not only non-believers, but also Christians who are from a non-Christian culture. After meeting Nader’s family, he told me that I was one of the first Christians they have spoken to outside of their family in the 15 years they have converted to Christianity in Iran. Their expectation of Christians is that their lives will line up with the Bible because that is all they know. It is therefore important that my life glorifies Christ and that they see Him in me and me in Him. Please, as you read this week’s article do not rush through the Bible verses but reflect on each one to see if you are living your life as the Bible would have you do it.
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I remember the former president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, saying in one of his interviews, “I try not to sin so that I do not have to ask God for forgiveness.” Yes, if we look at the people of the world, we see people who do not believe in God, but they also do not do things that Christians do not do. For example; they do not steal, they do not commit murder, they do not lie, they do not swear, they do not revile, they are calm, they do not betray their spouse, they exercise every day, they are successful people, they help the poor, and they do much more .... But we must know and pay attention to this point that the Christians are not known for the things they do not do, because the atheists do not do these things also. Rather, they are identified by the work they do. Because one in every 100 people in the world reads the Bible and 99 others look at Christians. What can Christians do that atheists are unable to do? When people look at us, can they see Christ in us?
The answer is in the Word of God in the Sermon on the Mount and in other verses.
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,' Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 'Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 'Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 'Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 'You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. 'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:3-16
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20
“But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.” Matthew 5:39
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore, you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48
“Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1
“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” Matthew 6:14-15
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
'No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 7:18-19
“Then a scribe came and said to Him, 'Teacher, I will follow You Wherever You go.' And Jesus said to him, 'The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matthew 8:19-20
“The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26
“But Jesus said, 'Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
“You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:13-17
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
“Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16
When people look at us, can they see Christ in us?
Nader, your little brother in Christ
GOD BLESS YOU. AMEN
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