Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3 NKJV
God is amazing, and I NEVER get tired of exalting Him. He is the quintessential Sovereign and living God who loves all of us wholeheartedly. He loves us all. He may not approve of what we do, or when we “step out of line,” but he loves all of us.
God administers life. He never admonishes or points a finger trying to belittle us in the process. He never places guilt or place blame on any of us. He lifts us up, he fills us with His love and peace. That is what God does.
When Jesus walked this earth He never had to threaten or scare individuals to follow Him. He merely demonstrated a kind demeanor along with love, acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding. His light, love and tolerance were enough to make everyone want to be in His presence because it felt so good. People liked what they were in His sight for how He viewed them. They saw the love in His eyes and felt the love in His heart. That was why people came by the thousands to be near Him, and hear His words, His teachings. That was enough to bring people from all over the region and beyond. The miracles that He performed were outstanding, naturally. But His mere presence and His teachings were fulfilling and compelling, and people were drawn toward Him as a moth to a flame.
So to follow His course of nature, and His teachings. We are to administer life, and to administer love, acceptance and guidance…and to gently plant seeds where we may in the process.
Some people, depending on their profession have greater responsibilities than others. For example, teachers have to mold young minds and are instrumental in the overall structure of their education and future. Police officers have a responsibility to uphold the law and to serve and protect. Firefighters serve the needs of many, and mainly to rescue and save individuals. And, so it goes. (And, God Bless all these worthy professions.)
Pastors have a great responsibility toward God. Their job is to teach, guide, and merely speak the truth from the Word. This should be done without condemnation, or an accusatory tone. In order to bring people into a church, and therefore closer to God…one should administer LIFE, not DEATH.
Life is love, acceptance, and guidance. It is speaking from the heart about Jesus, it is promoting God’s word without placing guilt into the hearts of the congregation. The role of a pastor/priest/reverend shouldn’t be accusatory, or admonishing in any shape or form. The voice of the one who has been called to teach God’s word, should resonate love, and truth. The way Jesus did when thousands came running to be in His presence.
Jesus gently warned us…He told us over and over to be aware of many imposters that will come before He returns. He told us in His very own words, not to run if someone says “there He is.” He warned us to be aware of false preachers.
There are many preachers out there today who are NOT teaching the word the way it is written, or the way Jesus would teach it. They gain an audience by false promises, or by intimidation and scaring people. Jesus DID NOT do that.
If someone cannot attend church, for a week, or even months…that is between that individual and God. There is no where in God’s word that states, “If someone doesn’t attend church He will not make it into heaven and His salavation is at hand.” That is not in God’s word anywhere. I’m not saying “don’t attend church” it is a lovely fellowship and experience to do so. All I’m stating is, no where, in God’s word does it say, that you cannot go to heaven if you do not attend church.
If an individual doesn’t want to attend a function at church, that is their business as well. The important thing is that the individual keeps in the word, has an intimate relationship with the Lord, and maintains a lifestyle that reflects the light of Christ.
Anyhow, as I was saying, when someone gets to heaven, they won’t be judged by how many times they attended church. Or how many times they attended a function at church. They will be judged by their fruits. By their righteous acts, the works they performed on earth. If they ministered LIFE to individuals, and comforted others, and listened to someone while they vented. Or, held someone’s hand while they waited for news from their doctor…or, sat with a friend as they cried. Or gave secretly to someone in need. That is what matters.
Love, understanding, and obeying God’s laws and commandments, knowing His word and keeping in the word. Yes, plus having an open heart to hear, and see, what Jesus was and is all about.
An open heart lends creedence to a plight, or a situation that affirms the word. The ability to see beyond the flesh and carnal mind is challenging at times, but driven by the Spirit one will have the wisdom to act accordingly. And all of which is done through love, and understanding…and a non-judgmental attitude. For there is only one that can judge, and He is sitting on His throne.
Pastors/priests/reverends have a high calling and an abundance of responsibility. God bless them all, and may they have the wisdom, and love, to bring forth truth, and understanding to their sheep. The sheep hearm and know the voice of their shepherd.
Next time someone has their finger pointed in your direction tell them that there are three other fingers pointing right back! Then, pray that their heart will be open to tolerance and the true teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen~
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16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 NKJV
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:18-21 NKJV
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:9-10 NKJV
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NKJV
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8 NKJV
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Yes! Jesus is love, nothing more, nothing less. How great is our God?
Praise the Lord! He is all about love! Those that teach the word should be aware of how important it is to preach with love and lifting up. We are not to judge, or point fingers and to accept and guide. Right on! Some preachers, bless their hearts, think they’re doing good by scaring the congregation into attending church, and instilling guilt, but that is what will get them OUT of their seats and running for the doors for sure. Preach, teach, and uphold the holy Word, with grace, dignity and love, love, love! Praise the Lord and all that He is forever and ever. AMEN!!!!
I am always thrilled to see visitors to my site and enjoy all the posts and comments left by brothers and sisters in Christ. Praise the Lord~
Thank you for your post today,
God is so amazing how he moves upon his people.
It was a confirmation to me….
For that is how God was dealing in my own heart,
Because in years past…my pastor’s use to teach all of us.
It has to be all God…..
Not our flesh, but by His Spirit.
This was before they passed on.
My pastor’s wife before she died her words to me was,
Dolores minister Life….always minister Life.
Always go to God – to move thru you and minister Life to His people.
So that stuck with me ever since then…..
Now I know what they were trying to teach me.
God never moves in the spirit of condemnations
For it only ministered death.
Why?? Put’s us on a guilt trip,
God always builds up not tear down.
All those….Do’s and Don’ts was under the Law,
Which only minister death…not Life.
Yes God does correct and bring discipline,
But it was always done in a Godly fashion….
By His wisdom and Life.
Remember our weapons are not carnal……
But mighty thru The Holy Spirit.
If it is done in the flesh….
Then we are defeated and there is no victory.
John 1:4 (KJV)
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Minister Life and also bring His Light~!
Bringing victory for all of us….
We have to go to God asking him…….
Reveal the mind of the spirit and to have His anointing.
God’s anointing breaks every yoke of bondage’s
In our lives.
As we minister Life….God draws all men unto Him~!
God’s Holy Spirit moves in the atmosphere of Life,
Not death….not by condemnation’s or a guilt trip
Which is the enemy favorite weapons,
His way of putting us down.
I always pray and ask God,
Please move and minister life in and thru me
And not death moving in the flesh.
The Lord is our defense,
The battle is not yours but mine says The Lord.
Flesh cannot enter or move in the Kingdom Realm,
For the Carnal mind is enmity against God.
Romans 8:6 (KJV)
6 For to be carnally minded is death;
But to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Dee,
God bless your heart and may He keep you in His arms always. You are an amazingly strong lady, with a love for God that is apparent to all in view and beyond. I treasure our friendship and our fellowship in the Lord. Thanks for your contribution and testimony. Blessings to you my sister in Christ~