That said, here's the quote;
"I feel broken over mankind and its sick perverted selfcenterdness....who thinks they can do anything for the sake of their own desires. Feeling very glad to have God...may I be a blessing to everyone I come into contact with."
The problem is, if we are looking at the world in this light we are not going to be a true blessing to them. I think we need to view the world as God does and He is not counting men's sins against them. He also was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. And Christ - FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM - endured the cross. What was the joy that was before him?? That the world would be reconciled to God. That God would have a whole host of sons and daughters. That relationship and life would be restored!!! Is this just for the elect few?? Or the WHOLE WORLD!!!!
Anyway, I struggle with the fact that christians are making christianity very unappealing. We can truly look at all mankind with compassion and love and say, God loves you just as you are, you are forgiven and made new in Christ. Give them the chance to believe the Good News, instead of condemning them.
Romans 5:10 - "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!!
2 Corinthians 5: 17-19 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
It's time to tell the world that they have been reconciled to God!! Let's give them the same joy we have that it is to be in Christ! Instead of feeling sad for the world, let's give them the Good News and let them have a chance to live in the rich blessings of salvation!! Peace to all who stop by today!!
9 comments:
I usually agree with everything you write just about...in fact so much so I don't comment...for the sake of boring you.
But you know the quote above....the problem is it is written. And writing does not reveal how it sounds when people say it. I really believe the same words could be read in two types of spirit.The one which you have mentioned...or on the other hand like a lament of David in the psalms. ie that really wearisome feeling you get sometimes as you just tire of people moving around in a self-centred spirit. The one is condemning, the other is a genuine desire that people get hooked up with a Living Spirit instead of grousing around in self-centredness. See what I mean?
Yes Chris I hear what you mean, I think I read this quote as a condemning statement. I think if we genuinely wanted to see people reconciled to God, at least this is what I think, we should see them with eyes of love, so the quote would look a whole lot different in my mind.
Hey, Lydia, I love this post! I feel like I am really pondering this a lot lately, just how far does the good news go and just how much did Jesus do at the cross.. because I want to share as much good news as I can with the world.. Are you saying here that the whole world has already been made new in Christ? Is that the same as justified? I really want to understand - great topic!
Joy to you!
Hey SG,
Yes I am saying that, I think it's clear in the verse, the only thing holding anyone from this truth is unbelief, or simply not knowing this truth for themselves. Cause when we KNOW the truth it will set us free. I think all are reconciled just not all live in the reality of it, because they have not yet had faith come. We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God!! So yes, let's share this good news with everyone!!!!
Lydia,
Thank you so much for your blog and for helping me with my questions!
You are most welcome SG!!!
I'm still pondering this so I hope you don't mind me asking you a little more..When you say the whole world is made new, do you mean the whole world is in Christ, or that the whole world is regenerated? I'm used to 2 Co. 5:17 being a salvation verse describing a person becoming born again. Are you applying it to the whole world? Is the whole world righteous and just haven't accepted it yet?
I love your blog! It's very encouraging,,,you don't know how much..have a great day!
Hey SG ~ Take a look at Romans 5:10, it says we were reconciled and we have been reconciled. The way I see it, is Christ has dealt with all sin for all time for all people. The one thing that gets them to actually live in that reality is believing it! So the whole world is not actually living in the finished work of the cross - it is unbelief that keeps them from being truly born again. So the complete provision is there, and it's for anyone who believes!!
Does that help?? I am glad you are encouraged SG, that is my heart. And I am grateful for you and your blog as well!! Peace to you!!
Lydia,
Yes this does help! Thanks so much!
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