Living It Out
I read a story the other day about an an atheist in Texas who was ‘flabbergasted’ by an outpouring of generosity from local-area Christians. Check out the story here. It was encouraging thing to hear about: Christians living out the gospel.
So often we get caught up in the back-and-forths and play the acceptance game.
I’ve done it before – plenty of times. You know the drill… Withholding an ‘action’ because of what others will say about you. Holding a grudge because someone has a different view. Refrained generosity because we’re scared of what the future may hold.
Whatever our reasoning may look like, we are still called to “act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God“.
True?
::
Matthew Snider
March 23, 2012I think it all starts with the church that you are part of. The right church can help you grow and really live life the way Christ wants us too.
Thanks for the post brother!
Dustin
March 26, 2012And not just ‘church’… but the people we surround ourselves with, right?
Cindy Holman
March 23, 2012“Living out” often means putting up with things we don’t like – so that others can be validated and heard. Sometimes we want to scream, “Validate me! Hear me!” But they are the ones who really need that extra dose of patience and grace.
Dustin
March 26, 2012I understand what you mean!
Jon
March 23, 2012So true, man. I kept on thinking of 2 Tim 1:7 as I was reading this. Living out our faith means being real and honest; it means believing that there is so much power in these words that we read. And, like Matthew said, it’s about being part of a community.
Dustin
March 26, 2012absolutely – has to go hand in hand!
Terry Valencia
March 23, 2012Great thoughts D! I read a Facebook post a few days ago about a mom who had died in childbirth. Her baby is in critical condition and also has another son. I cried reading it and then thought I would donate to the memorial fund a little later later. That was a week ago, and until I read your post today I hadn’t thought about it again. Your words just reminded me that I need to live out the gospel, give to others in times of need, and mostly to “act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God”. Love you!
Dustin
March 26, 2012awesome! we talked about that with our high schoolers the other week… sometimes the simple answer is to “just act”!
Moe
March 23, 2012that’s the difference between disciples and believers. But what do I know? :)
Dustin
March 26, 2012Hmm,not a whole lot…. :-)
Jason Vana
March 26, 2012I think the biggest thing is really to just love people, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. When we truly love people, they notice – and then they catch a glimpse of the God we serve.
Dustin
March 26, 2012And not just anyone… but our enemies. How tough is that…
Tom
March 26, 2012Thank you for sharing this story! Awesome witness how love and mercy plays out. Showing God’s love in action proven to have more impact on non-believers than reasoning. “act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God“.
Dustin
March 26, 2012No prob Tom – thanks for sharing!
ThatGuyKC
March 29, 2012This reminds me of the conversation we had at bible study this week. We talked about our faith experiences and how hard-nosed Christians turned us off to Jesus earlier on in our lives.
One guy shared a quote from St. Francis of Assisi “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”
They will know we are Christians by our love for one another.
Too many people know Christians by what they are against.