The other day a friend of mine posted on her Facebook status - about how tired and disappointed she gets when she sees people post "Keep "Christ" in Christmas and then goes out to the stores and buy their kids a bunch of crap... and I have to say this - I completely agree with her...
Most of my friends are Christians - I am also a Christian.. I believe very strongly that Jesus is the Son of God- I believe very strongly that He died on the cross - I believe very strongly that when I die I will go to Heaven AND I believe very strongly that many Christians are the #1 reason that many non-believers will NEVER give God a chance....
My Top Ten Christian Dos and Don'ts
10. Everyone on Facebook knows that Christmas is a Christian holiday - "Keep Christ" in Christmas on every other post - really isn't needed - it's annoying...
9. Stop Telling people how to live - Show people how YOU live
8. Open your ears when others talk - your opinion is NOT the only one that matters. (I am personally working on this one)
7. Stop sending emails to get others worked up about our President - about the "Holiday Tree" - About Christians being persecuted by our country - Honestly most of those crappy emails are complete fabrications and they are so 'Un-Christian'...1 Corinthians 4:12 -We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
6. Show goodness - volunteer in areas that are NOT Christian related - Random acts of kindness to those less fortunate than yourself.
5. Knock the Christian chip off your shoulder - that is such a turn off to non-believers AND Christians... Be Real..
4. Love your neighbor - not with words but with actions- Take care of them without asking for gratitude - Just love - "Bringing attention to your "good deeds" takes your good intentions away" So just do it and shut up...
3. Stop being sad all the time - weepy Christians -drive me INSANE... Life is hard - got it - it's hard for EVERYONE - God does not promise us that this life will be pleasant - The way you handle hardship and sadness shows how deep your relationship is with Him.... I am always in awe of those who suffer greatly but still have the capacity to love others with out ceasing... (I want to be like that)
2. Share God's word by your actions, life style.. If you live in a Godly way - others will see it and want a piece of what you have... That is when the sharing of the Gospel is effective - shoving it down the throats of others - doesn't work - it only pushes them away....
1. Lastly - Pray - Pray for yourself to be closer to Him.. Pray for others to know Him.. Pray for wisdom - patience - the ability to love without ceasing... Pray that you are a living example of what God wants His children to show....
9. Stop Telling people how to live - Show people how YOU live
8. Open your ears when others talk - your opinion is NOT the only one that matters. (I am personally working on this one)
7. Stop sending emails to get others worked up about our President - about the "Holiday Tree" - About Christians being persecuted by our country - Honestly most of those crappy emails are complete fabrications and they are so 'Un-Christian'...1 Corinthians 4:12 -We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
6. Show goodness - volunteer in areas that are NOT Christian related - Random acts of kindness to those less fortunate than yourself.
5. Knock the Christian chip off your shoulder - that is such a turn off to non-believers AND Christians... Be Real..
4. Love your neighbor - not with words but with actions- Take care of them without asking for gratitude - Just love - "Bringing attention to your "good deeds" takes your good intentions away" So just do it and shut up...
3. Stop being sad all the time - weepy Christians -drive me INSANE... Life is hard - got it - it's hard for EVERYONE - God does not promise us that this life will be pleasant - The way you handle hardship and sadness shows how deep your relationship is with Him.... I am always in awe of those who suffer greatly but still have the capacity to love others with out ceasing... (I want to be like that)
2. Share God's word by your actions, life style.. If you live in a Godly way - others will see it and want a piece of what you have... That is when the sharing of the Gospel is effective - shoving it down the throats of others - doesn't work - it only pushes them away....
1. Lastly - Pray - Pray for yourself to be closer to Him.. Pray for others to know Him.. Pray for wisdom - patience - the ability to love without ceasing... Pray that you are a living example of what God wants His children to show....
Agreed, Yet, I should not have to completely sensor myself should I? Struggling withthat one, but you make very good points. J
ReplyDeleteAGREE with this 100%. Those who go overboard to spread the word is not spreading it, in a good way, at all!!
ReplyDeleteThis: 5. Knock the Christian chip off your shoulder - that is such a turn off to non-believers AND Christians... Be Real..
ReplyDeleteYES and YES!
LOVE this. You are so right about the emails (they make Christians look preoccupied with things other than Christ) and the "weepy" one. Sometimes I want to say- "Where is the JOY???" Thanks for being so forthright.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Being a Christian doesn't mean to be dogmatic about everything.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, hope the tears were tears of joy.
Kelly, I'm sorry you missed the link in my post to my friday fill-in. It's linked to the word "here".
ReplyDeleteHere's the link:
https://plus.google.com/109631753156353457791/posts/5sJoYAMJ2DW
As far as this current post goes. I totally agree with what you've said. I don't celebrate the commercial holiday most associate with christmas. I think most people that post that stuff about keeping Christ in christmas only do it because they don't have their vertical alignment aligned. We do need to pray & witness to everyone. I don't care if people say, "You're preaching to the choir". Really?? I do it anyway! Praise GOD!!
Here here....I feel the same way....as a Christian I am appalled at how "unpopular" it is to even admit you are a Christian! So called "Christians" have done such a bad job by being so ridiculously fake...They are so "spiritual" they are no earthly good lol....
ReplyDeleteMy fave - 9. Stop Telling people how to live - Show people how YOU live
OMG...SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!
Amen! Great list. I especially like #4 and of course #1
ReplyDeleteGod bless and have a Great Weekend! :-)
BTW, thanks for your recent comment on my "Don't Mess With Old People!" post. ~Ron
Great post!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't pick a favorite - they are all good - and true!
I couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteWanted to thank you for dropping in and leaving a comment.
4 and 2 are my favorites. Actions speak much louder than words.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post. I recently wrote something similar, but wasn't nearly as eloquent as you! This is great. I'm your newest follower and look forward to reading much more!
This is a wonderful post. It is a great reminder that even though we live in the world we do not have to be of the world. We all fail because of our "human" nature, but it is God's desire (and should be ours) to try harder. Blessings, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that Christians can be a turn-off to no Christians as well.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with you there :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say i'm very turned off when I see people who claim to be very strict in their Christian values but their actions don't reflect their beliefs. Show me kindness, show me helping your fellow man for no personal gain but because it's the right thing to do, then I will show you an open mind to what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, anybody who preaches the exclusion of certain groups of people from God's love is no Christian at all.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!!
BRAVO!!! I totally agree!
ReplyDelete