God Before Men

Matthew 10:32 Jesus’ promise, “ Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my father in heaven.”

We are in a time where there is an obvious division between believers and non-believers. Unfortunately there are also a lot of believers who do not represent Christ which makes it all the worse when Christians take a stand for their faith. In my book, “The Growing Christian” I talk about Jesus’s characteristics and qualities.

Here’s a few notes from my book-

Qualities of Jesus:

“Alertness, Attentiveness, Availability, Boldness, Cautiousness, Compassion, Contentment, Creativity, Decisiveness, Deference, Dependability, Diligence, Discernment, Discretion, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Faith, Flexibility, Forgiveness, Generosity, Gentleness, Gratefulness, Hospitality, Humility, Initiative, Joyfulness, Justice, Love, Loyalty, Meekness, Obedience, Orderliness, Patience, Persuasiveness, Punctuality, Resourcefulness, Responsibility, Respect, Security, Self-control, Sensitivity, Sincerity, Thriftiness, Thoroughness, Tolerance, Truthfulness, Wisdom, Virtue.” - from Christway Counseling Center

“When you can aspire to these qualities like Jesus, then it is fair to say you are a Christian. I didn’t say a believer, but a true follower and representative of Christ. To represent means to be appointed to act or speak for (someone). That holds a lot of weight and yet we throw around the idea that we are Christians even when we continue living in a way that goes against who Jesus is and who He’s calling us to be. No wonder people are pulling away from the Church, and criticizing the people in the church. Satan works hard in the Church, no doubt about it. It’s a great place to stir up some self-righteousness, and hatred. If we are called to love thers, then there is no place for pointing fingers at anyone but ourselves. We are only responsible for our own actions, not others. We don’t have to agree but we can learn to love those who differ in opinion, politics, religion, sexual orientation, parenting, and so much more with God’s help and only with God’s help. It’s not always easy but through Him it is possible. No need to be self-righteous when we are daily sinners, and all of us fall short of the glory of God. If we are to be true reflections of Christ, then let us love like Christ did.” -Rebekah Van Natta: The Growing Christian

In regards to the world, it is important for us as true followers in Christ to remember, not to let the world dictate or steal where our identity and our truth lies. We are confident in who we are because our identity is in Jesus. The world or “Satan”, wants you to believe that your identity is within yourself to choose or to question. That is utter chaos and confusion and we know from scripture that 1 Corinthians 14:33 “God Is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace”. This leaves the confusion, the questioning of, and the “freedom of choice” to be persuaded and manipulated by Satan. This is not freedom but slavery! Do not trade your freedom for a lie, it will tear and wear you down and your heart will be hardened to hear or see any truth at all. The power of the Holy Spirit, God within you, allows you the true freedom of peace, love, light, and joy. This all comes from understanding that God is our priority over men, over the world, over ourselves. The fact that Jesus gave His life for us at the cross to save us from our own sin, is our saving grace to give up our worldly lives and surrender to the cross daily, so as to lose ourselves, so that we may find ourselves in Christ. Matthew 10:39 Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.” This is not favorable in our fleshly bodies, it’s not favorable in the world, but it is the only way to God. We must ask Him to help us daily and trust Him more than we trust ourselves and this world. Luke 6:22 “ Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.” While we should try to live at peace with everyone and show love and kindness, there will be times that the world will reject even that. This is when we need to stay confident in Christ, and choose Him over the world. God will work all things out for His good, ultimately he is in control, even when then world feels like its spinning off into another dimension and chaos seems to be unending. I have no doubt in my God, and neither should you!

Choose Him first over yourself, over men, over this world. If you’re a believer stand firm in your faith and be a representative of Christ in this ever changing world. Be the light, and love others, even when they reject or hate you. Pray for your friends, pray for our country, pray for those who are lost and confused. Trust God to intervene even if it doesn’t align with your plan, His plan and His ways are always better!