9“ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’” (Romans 12:9-21 NIV)

Hello everyone. I hope the last couple months have been good to you. I apologize for my absence, but it is my hope to get back on track now. Yeah, I know, I am throwing a big one at you today. It is what the Lord has laid on my heart so it is my duty to share.

Most non-Christians think that being a Christian is easy; you believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Simple, right! If you still think so then you should read it again, and maybe a third time. Being a Christian is far more work than not being a Christian. While being a Christian or not we will all face trials and difficulties. For a non-Christian these trials may be geared to push you towards God so you can borrow from his strength to lean on. For the Christian these trials are to keep us aware of the same truth, God is our rock and or strength.

We should all be somewhat aware of ethics. Here is the definition from dictionary.com, “moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity.” It just happens that the activity here is living a Christian life. These 12 verses tell us how to live a Christian life. In short we love everyone, yes everyone, even our enemies. We show respect and honor to everyone. We should be on fire with the Holy Spirit doing what Christ has commanded:

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven18-20 and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

Verse 16 tell us, “16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” let Jesus be your example here. Did Jesus stay in the temples and synagogues and teach? No! Jesus meet people where they where. Jesus ate with the tax collectors, Jesus meet the Samarian woman at the well, and Jesus associated with prostitutes. You have to meet people where they are.  Jesus humbled himself. Imagine, the Son of God washing the feet of His disciples. As Christ often did, this was an example of how we should live.

I know, I am not very good at it either, but I pray that I can get better at living the life God expects of me, and of being the example that Jesus was. I will never be that example because we live in a fallen world and there is a chasm between us and god. That is the good news of Christ. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect in any way. God does expect us to know where to go when we know that we are not perfect and when we have messed up yet again; The Foot of the Cross. Jesus will meet you there. No matter how far gone you think you may be, Jesus will be there waiting.

Dear amazing and wonderful God. Lord I thank you for the many blessings that you have provided for me. Lord I am most thankful for your example of how to live and showing us how we should be treating others with love and kindness; even our enemies. Lord I know first hand how hard forgiveness can be, but with your help I have managed to do just that, Forgive. Lord I hope these words that you have given me have reached to one(s) that you have intended to hear them and that the Holy Spirit has softened their hearts to accept them. Lord I ask that you use me as your tool, to spread your word and your message of Love. Lord you love us all, sinner and saint and You look forward to dwelling with us in the New Earth where you will be our God. Lord I just ask that you be with the ones that are needing comfort in a time of mourning and strength in a time of weakness. Lord I love you and I thank you for everything. We pray this in the name of Jesus, AMEN.

Feel free to contact me with any comments, questions, or concerns. Now go and be a good example of Christ!

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