Issue 1447 – Watching You – May 14, 2024
This reader-submitted photo of a frog caught my eye. I can almost hear it thinking, “I’m watching you.”
I don’t know how well frogs see, and scientists have many questions about their vision. However well they see, they do make for an excellent visual for today’s Gleanings.
Christians are always being watched. Sometimes, people are curious about faith to see if we live what we profess. At other times, it is people who hate God and are waiting for us to fall. In some countries, it is the government or its agents who persecute Christians.
Then, there are the eyes of fellow believers who look on us. Some watch with judgment and criticism and are quick to condemn any facet of life that doesn’t meet their moral code or doctrine.
Then, others might see us as models of how to live the Christian life. In some ways, I find that scarier than someone who wants to criticize me. I don’t want someone to emulate my mistakes.
Our faith walk is a personal relationship with Jesus but not a private one. It is on display for all the world to see.
Christ has made us His ambassadors to the world.
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
As Christ’s ambassadors, the world watches us. It’s no wonder Jesus says things like…
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to 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
We are flawed and sometimes we won’t look great to the outside world, but we are forgiven and being conformed into the image of Christ.
Let’s strive to love one another so the world sees Him.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)