Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

Monday, June 8, 2009

Defending the Fatherless

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with a friend on a podcast about several things related to the work I’m involved in.  In the course of our conversation he asked me “what one take away could you give me?” 

What a powerful question – and one that reminded me of a saying (that I’m at best only loosely paraphrasing) – the most important thing is making the most important thing the most important thing.  In other words, the thing that needs to consume your time, should be the thing that is the most critical, meaningful and impactful.

So what was my answer to him? I shared James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Then I explained it as I understood it – service to those from whom we have nothing to gain was of extreme importance to God.  We see it throughout scripture in commands to care for orphans, widows, immigrants, the disabled, and the imprisoned.  Without expectation to get anything in return.  It was the same with Jesus…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).  He did not come to us with anything to gain, but came to serve and to defend us- when we were orphans.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Remember those bracelets?

Does anyone remember when the WWJD bracelets were the “Christian fashion”?

I do think it is a valid question to ask when confronted with a tough situation. 

The question I’ve always had about them is this- “How do you know what Jesus would do?”  Noodle on that for just a minute.

You know what He would do only by knowing what He did do.

What am I saying? The only way to know what Jesus would do is by knowing Him and by knowing what He has already done in history (you can find this in the Bible of course). 

I have seen people in various situations with the WWJD bracelet on or have even heard them say “what would Jesus do?” and then act 100% opposite of the way Jesus would have acted in the same situation.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
(John 13:17)