What does it mean to be a lover of God (a Christian, a disciple of Jesus) in this world?
Sang Won Sur
Another group question that I hope all of you will try to answer:
Lately, I think God has been putting me into positions of life where I
feel as if I'll never measure up to the standards of God. For example,
Bible says to love everyone, but as Jason and I talked the other
night, it's not that easy. How can we even love our enemies? (Do you
love others more than yourself?)
Can anyone live up to this standard? --- Love even those that hurt you
(emotionally or physically) . . . and be perfect as God is perfect?
-- I sometimes hold bitterness in my heart against people that hurt
me -- do you?
Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He
causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what
reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And
if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?
Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.
Do you ever hold bitterness in your heart toward certain people?
Perhaps some prejudice and keep it in your heart? See them as evil,
messed up, unfixable, flaky, scums? Do you reconcile friendships and
restore broken relationships?
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I
forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
As I struggle to love God in and through my life, I find it impossible
to keep my heart completely pure for God (b/c I sin), and to love him
with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength! (my mind is not always on
Him 100% of my day)
So, should I give up since I'll never measure up? Can I ever be a
person God wants me to be? or am I even in the right path to
perfection? Will I ever be perfect? (if not, why try?)
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So here is my question to you guys . . . .
What do you think God is looking for from those that love Him and
trust Him? or What does it mean to be a lover of God (a Christian, a
disciple of Jesus) in this world?
As you answer this question -- I want you to think about how it
applies to your current life.
So, if you're a student, how does God want you to live as a student?
If you are working, how does God want you to live as an employee?
If you have a family, how does God want you to be with your families?
If you are currently looking for a job, what do you think God may want
you to do?
And some other thoughts,
When you're with your friends, what does God desire of you?
When you are alone, how are you to be?
Ask yourself, what does it mean to be a man or woman after God's own heart?
Do you measure up?
Should you measure up?
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Ultimately,
"What does it mean to be a lover of God (a Christian, a disciple of
Jesus) in this world?"
Does it mean to be perfect? Have flawless character? A person that has
everything together? a person that knows exactly how to do everything?
A person who is devoted to a church and attends every meeting? One
that is able to pray for hours and look holy?
Is it ok if you're not perfect? Is it ok if our lives aren't all
together? Is it ok if we don't know where we are going in life? what
our careers should be? where our future mate will come from?
What is a Christian and what does that mean in terms of how we ought to live?
Think about it and try to give an answer. (if you're pressed for time,
try to at least give a short answer, and add to it as other people add
to your thoughts).
-Sang
Jude 1:24 (NLT)
24Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and
will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a
single fault.
Sang Won Sur
(sudden shock to rest) from school vacation starting, days off of
work, etc. . . =)
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Note:
God is doing something amazing and awesome in our midst. Watch for it
. . . if you are keen, you'll see the things that are happening. Let
me know if you sense anything! I'll reaffirm what you see.
Also, Pastor John will be heading to the retreat he's been talking
about . . . give him your prayer requests.
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Try to approach this question from the basics -- what is your theology
(your view of God) -- is He one that is personal to you, or someone
that is so beyond us that we just have to keep in mind that He's out
there? How do you view him now? How does your life relate to God?
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Everyone, have a Merry Christ!mas! It's the day our Savior -- the one
who came to take away all our sins came to be With Us. It's truly a
day to celebrate, and be thankful for His love and grace toward us.
(Hint hint, "grace" is part of the solution to the question I'm posing
in this email).
-Sang
