What does it cost you - time/money/energy/other resource - to follow Jesus? Share what it costs you to follow Jesus - to be His Disciple!
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
Monday, February 16, 2009
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Taking a stand for Jesus has cost me my friendships, my trust in other people, and my self-esteem.
Anonymous 9:20 - I am sorry your walk with Jesus cost you your friendships, your trust in other people and your self-esteem. Pity if that is your experience at a church. I know that every church has its problems and problem members who do not walk the talk. The church is supposed to be a place where you can find compassion and friends that will go the extra mile with you.
I pray that you can find other friends and build new relationships. I pray that you will reach out and not wait for someone to reach out to you. I pray that no one will hurt you again but the reality is, until we are received into God's presence, people will continue to hurt and disappoint us.
Give your local church or another church a chance. There is so much to be received through the community of faith.
I know that our local church is anything but perfect. I have been hurt, even devastated, by some members. Yet I know I have hurt my Lord as well in that time with some of my behavior and he forgives me. I must do the same. I chose to continue in the same house of worship although I could understand someone looking for another place to worship.
I will pray for you and your expressed pain.
In response to today's (2/23) daily message... The passage that comes to mind for me is the one from Luke 14:25-35. It also mentions carrying our own cross but part that stands out to me are the passages related to counting the cost of faith in Jesus. The part that gives me pause is verse 33. I wonder whether He is saying that we must give up our possessions to be His disciple or whether we should be prepared to. I think of the man who asks what he must do for eternal life (Mark 10:17-31) and is told to sell all he has, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus. I've always understood this to mean that we must be prepared to give up our possessions. Maybe this is because Jesus didn't say this to everyone or maybe it is because we live in a wealthy society. If I sold all today, I am not sure where Jesus would want me to go. In any case, we each should make the decision as to whether we are prepared to lose everything else in favor of Jesus before we are in a situation where that decision is needed.
What if God called us to give up everything? Would we? Or like the rich young ruler, would we walk away sad because we have much?
This is for Anonymous 9:20:
I too lost friends when I came to know Christ as Savior and Lord. My mom & brothers think we are wackos too. But you know what. That is something they have to deal with. My friends I can understand why they ran away. I no longer partake in the former lifestyle (smoking dope amongst other things), and they see me as a threat to their way of living. Fair enough. Did not Jesus say the world will hate us as it hated Him first? People will ALWAYS let us down, and we will at some point let others down. We are human, and our faults and failures are not to be blamed on God. God never does deserts us and never will. We may not like or agree with the lot in life the Lord has given us, but trust me, He is always there for us, and He ALWAYS does what is right even though it is hard for us to see it. As for your loss of self esteem, remember God made you, He loves you, always will, and just because of that, we should be thankful!
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