By Pastor John Mateos Ong
Look at yourself before and look at yourself now. Most of the time, all you see are your shortcomings. But look at the change you have become since you met Jesus Christ. How big is the change you see? Although you are still very far from the perfection that only Jesus is, you are very far from who you were before, whether you believe it or not.
Let us look at the story of Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-9 says, “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”
Focus on the choices that have been made in this story. You can choose to be like all the people in this story who judged based on a person’s past or you can be like Jesus who sees people with the eyes of God.
How can you be like Jesus?
Be intentional. Romans 10:14 says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” - Jesus was intentional in where He chose to walk that day. It was not by chance that He met Zacchaeus. If you just became a Christian to attend Sunday service, who will share the good news of Christ with all the people outside? Matthew 4:19 says, ““Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”” Jesus did not just ask Peter to follow Him. He asked Peter to follow Him to be able to share His love with other people too. He was going to send Peter out. Inviting people makes you accountable. Even at times when you do not feel like going to church, you will be forced to go because your friend is going. Joel 2:12 says, ““Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”” You can only share the good news on earth. Do not wait until it’s too late.
Don’t judge. Matthew 7:1-3 says, ““Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Remember who you were before you committed yourself to Jesus. Nobody was born as a follower of Christ. Be careful not to become a stumbling block to non-believers and those who are new in the faith. 1 Corinthians 5:12 says, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” Do not judge those who are outside the church for you have no basis in your judgement. Stop being overly righteous that you yourself sin. Galatians 6:1 also says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Luke 5:31-32 says, “Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”” The church is a hospital for those spiritually sick. Be a tool for their healing.
Be known for your love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Everything you do should be out of love or else, it is useless. Be known for love and that will be enough.
Be real and authentic. 1 John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Authenticity is not about what you say but about what you do. Faith is not just said but done.
Be hospitable. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hospitality knows no class. Be nice to everybody and not just to those who you feel deserve it.
How well do you know your church and the people in it? How well do you know God? Are you a church that unbelievers would want to join? When they look at you, do they see how loving and welcoming you are?
Your relationship with Christ is most important. Get to know Him deeper.
Yorumlar