Bible Verse Day!
Here are three Bible Verses that I felt compelled to elaborate on. This post is going to be a bit different than others done in the past. Instead of running with one major theme, we’ll be jumping around to see where we wind up. Please feel free to add to any of this in the comments section! Or maybe instead, post your favorite bible verses into the comment section and describe what it means to you. Suggestions are welcome as well!
Bible Verse #1 – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Ambassador
Noun
1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary)
2. A diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
3. A diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country’s mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.
4. An authorized messenger or representative.
Courtesy of Dictionary.com
Bible verse #1 is something that we’ve gone over in other posts, but it’s always a good reminder so we always remember where we’re from once Born again into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. Whether you have just been saved, or if you’ve been saved for several years, this is something that doesn’t change or come with any form of rank.
We are ambassadors for Christ, his representatives in this world. When people see you out and about, does your behavior reflect that you are representing the Lord? Who would someone that doesn’t know you think that you serve? A question to ask yourself and answer honestly.
Not sure where I heard it, but I say it quite often; The only Jesus some people will ever see, is the Jesus in you, and the Jesus in me. Although that’s a cute saying, it’s also very true. Many people judge God or Jesus by how we as Christians behave. They’re not necessarily Biblically learned enough to have “let God be true and all men a liar” available in their mind to help them remember that men fall short where God doesn’t.
So perhaps this is something to reflect on for awhile and absorb what it means to be an ambassador for Christ. In all that you do, the world is watching. And in all that you should have done, the Lord is watching. No pressure there huh?
The best possible way to become confident in your position as a representative for Christ is to actually know Christ Jesus personally through the Holy Ghost and cling to a solid foundation in the Word of God. Pray that the Lord teach you all that he wants you to know at that time through the Holy Spirit, who has been sent to you to guide you into all truth. A quick little prayer for the Spirit to lead, then dive into the Word and see where the Lord takes you.
In time, you’ll find that you get to know him very well, and eventually even better. And the supernatural truth in Christ by way of the Holy Ghost will begin to convict you when you find yourself in situations where you may be acting out against what you’ve learned by him. He lets you know in order to instruct and to teach you, not condemn or punish.
Bible Verse #2 – 2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Does Bible verse #2 mean that a person that goes and shoots people performing abortions should count their punishment for an act like that as a pleasure in infirmities, distress, or persecutions? No way. It’s that kind of mentality that has given God haters ammunition against Christians since the dark ages.
Just because some people do something in the name of Jesus, Christianity, or just plain in the name of God, doesn’t mean that was something that the Lord wanted them to do in the first place. Chances are what the Lord would have them do would have been something completely different, in an attempt to win souls or something along those lines. So to suffer over something that is against God’s will which is easily discerned through the Word of God, is called just deserves in my opinion.
In this day and age, we’ve got no excuse to not know God’s written word. With Bibles everywhere, both in hand and online, there really is no good excuse to not learn what the Lord wants and doesn’t want. So when reading this verse and other verses like it, keep in mind that he is referring to being persecuted for furthering the cause of Christ, preaching, teaching, performing miracles, following the direction and lead of the Holy Ghost, and obeying the Lord. Not by using the name of Jesus to justify what’s right in your own eyes but against the Word of God.
Bible Verse #3 – Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Do we obey what Bible verse #3 says the way we should? How kind, tenderhearted, or forgiving are we toward one another? Are we quick to forgive even if we’re justified? After all, that is the most difficult circumstance to forgive someone, being when we are in the right and have clearly been wronged. Jesus said this to his disciples:
John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Matthew 6:14-16
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The things Paul lists in this verse contains just a few of God’s attributes that he extends toward us for the sake of his Son. Just as he favored and blessed Israel for the sake of his promise to Abraham, so does he do the same toward us for the sake of Jesus. It’s certainly not because of how awesome we are or how good we are. But we should strive to be like Jesus however possible, if for any reason to simply show some appreciation and honor to the one who died for us and is at the plate for us with the Father.
I would propose that if it’s good enough for the creator of the universe, than it’s good for us to do so as well. If the Lord is kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward us, who are we to be any other way toward anyone else? In the above circumstances, is there a better way to crucify the flesh than to forgive someone who doesn’t at all deserve it?
I’ve heard it said that it doesn’t matter whether or not you forgive someone if they don’t ask for forgiveness. That’s not true at all, in fact it’s nothing but an excuse people use to continue harboring unforgiveness in their heart. I don’t remember anyone that was physically responsible for Christ’s Crucifixion asking Jesus for forgiveness before he died. But among the final words of Jesus was “Father forgive them, they know not what they do”. He didn’t wait for them to come to him before asking that they be forgiven.
It is good to forgive under any circumstance, not just for the sake of the one you are forgiving, but for your own sake as well. Unforgiveness is something that can turn to into bitterness, and a bitter soul isn’t a blessing to anyone, let alone to yourself.
The reason I’ve concentrated on forgiveness, is that it’s very difficult to genuinely be kind and tenderhearted if you are harboring an iniquity like unforgiveness. Iniquities generate deep rooted issues such as reciprocal types of sin, never anything good such as kindness or tenderheartedness. Iniquities are purged by the washing of the Word of God and by prayer.
Matthew 7:2
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
So what judgement or measure would you like the Lord to show toward you when it’s your time to stand before your God? Wouldn’t you rather him show you kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness because that’s the kind of judgement you used and the kind of measure you mete?
Conclusion
Well that about wraps it up for this post. So what do you think, do you prefer this manner of post instead of one topic per post? Please let me know via comment section. Also, don’t forget to post your most favorite Bible verse in there, cause I’m very interested to know what they are.
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