Stepping out - VIDEO BLOG
Submitted by weston on June 12, 2008 - 1:07pm.
We have this view of what the church is supposed to be involved in, both from the perspective of a church goer and as a part of humanity. Many times the Christian faith is looked at as people who say a lot but don't get anything done. I belive that we as Christ followers have a huge responsibility to present him to the world clearly and accurately. History has to many stories of avant guarde endevours, that were portrayed as Christ centered but which were in fact and execution, far from what God says his heart is. We have a responsibility to serve...
Reflecting Jesus, those are
Reflecting Jesus, those are some big shoes to fill aren't they. My husband recently shared with me something God revealed to him with regards to taking the Lord's name in vain. I always understood that scripture as a reference to cussing. God spoke something quite different to my husband in that scripture. You see, if we claim to be a Christian...a Christ follower...THAT is taking the Lord's name. So we must be careful that we don't do it in vain. Taking the Lord's name is about ambassadorship. It envolves our greatest stewardship, which is the stewardship of our heart...for out of it flow the issues of life. We must represent him fairly if we are going to represent him at all. We must accurately depict him to the world, because the world will look at us (Christians) first...and judge our actions and behavior. Simply put...It is what we have been called to do.
Thanks Suzi, Your comment
Thanks Suzi,
Your comment certainly puts things into perspective for me. I constantly battle with that. We all so much take for granted words. But do we really know the meaning of what we are saying when it "Slips Out". I am by far the worst of offenders when it comes to taking the lords name in vain...and I know it has to pose a very negative thought process when somebody hears me drop the reference after claiming that I am a Christian. Especially in matters that are "trivial" (yes Weston, like dropping a routine ground ball during softball).
I often find myself reaching out to try to "Catch" the reference afterwords. Somehow It manages to be about the only thing I can't catch. Once its said, it's said... It can't be taken back. There is not a fishing pole, or a retriever or an apparatus in the world that can retrieve the words that come from our mouths. Especially the ones that hurt, or show a hypocritical nature about us....
So how do we stop it? How do we "Retrain" ourselves from the language that we have abused nearly all of our lives?
Shock Therapy? Quarter in the Jar? Slap upside the head?
Nope....
I think I just found something new to pray about....
Thanks for the perspective, Guys!!
Bill
On a side note: Nobody said there would be math involved with church!!!!
I really like the
I really like the perspective you shared in your comment --when you claim to be a Christ follower, being non chalant or having a lack of genuineness, is taking on the name of Jesus with ill-regard and pretty much, taking his name in vain--.... Like you said, I also, have never read this passage with that perspective.... that is really good.