Christ Daily

When we follow Jesus, why are why doing it? Why, exactly, are we following him? And on top of that, is it really following him?

There are many out there who give generously at offerings in worship services, but are they giving out of their hearts, or because they want the many blessings that God may give us as a result of their giving? Some people may follow Jesus for the fact that he’ll protect and watch over us, but they don’t really care about obeying his commands or being obedient about anything else whatsoever.

But again, is that really following God?

²⁶Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

- John 6:26-27

Jesus told this to the group of 5,000 that he had fed the day before. No doubt some were continuing to follow him because they believe he was who he said he was, but there were others who were probably doing it merely for physical and temporary benefits – not satisfying their spiritual hunger.

Too many people use religion as a way of showing prestige or looking “good” and “reverent”. However, those are self-centered motives. So there is only one real answer to the question at the top: true believers follow Jesus purely because He is the way, the truth, and the light, and his way is the right way to live.

written by Josh \\ tags: Jesus, John, obedience, spiritual hunger

I apologize for the lack of posting recently. We have been quite busy between our personal lives and working on the next big thing here for Christ Daily. More information on that in the near future!

I started reading John chapter 8 last night, and paid particular attention to the first story in it. Here’s how it goes:

¹But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

   But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

¹¹"No one, sir," she said.
      "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

- John 8:1-11

I’m sure we’ve all heard this story at one point or another, and it is indeed a good one. The leaders who brought this woman to Jesus were trying to put him in a trap: The law required the woman (and her partner) to be stoned, and if Jesus told them not to stone her, he would be violating the law. If he urged them to execute her, he’d have been reported. Instead, Jesus upheld the punishment, but said only those who have not sinned could punish her. Jesus did not condemn this adulterous woman; instead, he forgave her, and told her to leave her life of sin and straighten herself out.

How many times do you automatically condemn someone when they sin? Even if it’s not out loud – even if it’s in your head – don’t you realize that you, too, have sinned? I have sinned with you. We all have sinned. It’s not our job to judge others – that’s ultimately God’s. Our job is to love and forgive each other.

Thanks for reading!

- Josh

written by Josh \\ tags: condemning, Forgiveness, God, grace, Jesus, John, judging

So many times we believe that in order to let people know we’re Christians, and that they should be too, we think we have to hand out tracts, scream scripture, and wear clever Christian T-shirts with advertisement parodies on it.  This isn’t the case at all (though I’m not bashing the T-shirts – some of them are quite awesome.)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  — John 13:34-35

Once we begin not only to SHOW our love, but genuinely love all people, regardless of who they are, what they’ve done, or where they came from – like Jesus did; does, we can see an immediate change in our lives.  The bible says ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’  That kind of love is so extravagant, that we should have the same love for others as Christ has for us.

So today, a Challenge I present to you!  (Oh, boy – what’s Matt want me to do?)

Do three Acts of Random Kindness today (ARK).  Do this everyday for as long as you think about it.  Note what people think when you do these random, unselfish acts of kindness and you’ll start to see, like the song say, ‘They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.’

Short today, I know, but I think it’s incredibly relevant.  Josh is actually out of town this week at a U2 concert, so let’s all hope he has a fun, safe trip.  In the meantime, I’ll be writing everyday for a few days, unless Amy wants to come out of hiding, and share with us what she’s been doing.  :p

Just kidding.  We love you, Amy.

Thanks for reading!
-Matt

written by Matt \\ tags: 1 John, ARK, Challenge, Jesus, John, Kindness, Love, Random Acts of Kindness