Painting: ‘My Friend‘ by Helen Thomas Robson (fineartamerica.com)
“You’ve heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you: Do not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer them the other one. If someone wants to sue you to take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well. And if someone forces you to go a mile with them, go with them two. Give to the one who asks, and do not turn away from the person who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. And then you will be the true children of your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:38-45
Dear Fellow Christians,
The life of Jesus, and the life he commands us to emulate, is one of unconditional love (agapaó) toward others. It’s the same unearned love that saved us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8). In its operative form it’s called grace, undeserved favor toward those who have no right to such a claim. In other words, it’s loving the way Jesus loved. We, the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), his followers, are called to be his active, physical presence in the world.
And yet the message the world seems be hearing from most who call themselves Christians is not “We love you unconditionally” but “Here’s a list of our demands!” No wonder they’ve turned away from Jesus. When did the Body of Christ become just another special interest group demanding its rights?
“But,” many cry, “our country has abandoned its biblical values. It’s turned pagan, evil—and it’s up to us to save it!”
No, it’s not.
Jesus didn’t call his followers to save the Roman Empire—a world of pagan beliefs and abominable practices (widespread slavery, child abuse, torture and murder as public entertainment) ruled over by a dictator considered a living god. Instead, Jesus called his followers to save people, individuals. But how, if not by saving their nation?
By showing them the love Jesus spoke of and embodied, by being his living presence in the world today.
Brothers and sisters, “Christendom,” the era of powerful nations loosely guided by Christian principles, has ended. We are rapidly returning to the kind of pagan society Jesus encountered 2,000 years ago, a society that doesn’t even pretend to be Christlike–because it doesn’t know who Christ is.
No wonder our culture is turning away from Jesus. They’ve never encountered him. And until we show them the real Jesus…
We’ve shown them no Jesus at all.
Thanks for sharing, Mitch and Helen! Such a great encouragement.
Well said. Knowing and showing the real Jesus is the key.
Amen.
Dats really great
Politics aside, this is a great reminder that we can’t save the world. But we can live our best to be an example of Jesus in this crazy world. 💗
Amen! I couldn’t have put it more succinctly! I so agree with her!
Hmmmm,Lord help me to be Christlike and to reveal Jesus to everyone around me. Lord when people see me, let them see Jesus through my life. Lord break my heart and rearrange it to be like yours. Help me to love others like you love them Lord.
Make me like you Jesus.
I want to give you many thousands, millions and billions of souls Lord Jesus.
Write a story of love with my heart Lord that many generations to come will read it and believe in you Lord.
If you don’t work on my heart, I cannot Love anyone Lord. My heart Lord, work on my heart Jesus.
This is the cry of my heart always. Thank you sir for this great post reminding me of why I am called a “christian”.
Never lose that burning, Ene, it’s dear to him (and touched me too).
Bless your heart sir
Painful as it is, it does look like the Christian era has ended. But, we are still here to keep the faith. Hope is not lost.
Amen, Imelda.
you left off matthew 5:36
Thank you, Mitch, for writing and sharing such a powerful letter. May it move us (those who call ourselves Christians) to more than clicking a like button. May we be moved to daily engage in life and live like Jesus–our Maker, Redeemer, and so much more. A great post.
Oh, I pray so, Manette. And thank you, btw.
So very true!!Great post!
Thank you, Joy.
😊
Hi Mitch, New follower here. Loving your page. Thank you. My friend Karla from Flannel with Faith suggested I come take a peek. I’m glad I did. Looking forward to going back and reading your stories. Lisa
Good to meet you, Lisa! (Karla’s awesome, isn’t she.)
The Best!!
Mitch,
You nailed it with this one. Thanks for speaking the prophetic truth. I swear we should get together sometime. I think we’re on the same page.
John Fischer Grace Turned Outward
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I’d love that, John. Thank you, and great to hear from you, btw.
I really resonate with everything you have shared in this post. “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love” … Right?!? I’m thankful that this is true, and can be seen in the lives of many individual Christian but perhaps not so much in the church in general.
Such a good post. Love and forgiveness. That is what appeals to me about Christianity. Those are the cornerstones of Christianity.
These thoughts have been close to my heart over the past months. Am I following Christ or trying to preserve the American Dream? I don’t believe the two are the same.
Much needed wisdom here, Mitch. Makes me think of the place somewhere in the NT where Jesus withdrew from people when He realized they intended to make him king by force. Thankfully, He had better things to do than kick the Romans butts out of Palestine.
The kingdom of God is not of this world!
Amen, David.
There’s nothing different about people who hate their enemies, argue over who’s right, and make demands. Boycotts, protests, nasty posts on social media – nope, not different. But when we start loving our enemies … !
“And until we show them the real Jesus… We’ve shown them no Jesus at all.” So true. Thanks for the post.
Had to. Thanks, Shirley.
Great statement. What’s even worse is that many Christians talk as if God works through a political party and not through His Church.
Maybe the world will change when the people of God get back to doing the things God commanded us to do.
Exactly, Michael.
Amen, amen, amen. Straight up and powerful. Thank you for a very succinct historical grounding and a reminder of what it means to “follow” and “be” Jesus in the world.
So true.
It’s hard to think of what to say except, Amen.
Amen, powerful and true words, Mitch.
Actually, I’d love it if I could have permission to reference this for a piece on my site. It is so stirring in the heart.
Of course, Andy.
Wonderful Christian perspective!
I couldn’t agree more, Mitch! thank you!
That’s an excellent point. I think it’s easy to be threatened when we feel that the country, and much of the world, is turning away from religion, but honestly, our country was founded on religious freedom, not Christianity. If we want others to know what it means to be a Christian, we have to do our best to show them. And if we do that, we’ll all be just fine.
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Since I declared myself a born again christian my friends now despise me but that doesn’t bother me because He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. Jesus christ is coming soon brethren lets spread the Gospel, may God give you the strength to do His work Amen.
Your courage is inspiring, my friend.
Great post. I’ve been thinking a lot about this same thing lately. Will the church listen? I don’t think so.
Hence, the prayer for revival!
This sentence hit me with a huge does of reality…”Jesus didn’t call his followers to save the Roman Empire.” Wow! Thank you so much!
Great thought. Thank you for sharing!
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Amen. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks alot for your Roman Catholic approach, I needed that now🙏
I’m glad it spoke to you, Emilly. Though it wasn’t particularly directed at Roman Catholics, but to anyone who is or considers themselves a Christian. Blessings.
Oh, yes that’s true. Actually I’m not Roman Catholic, I left that Church but how to reach out to them is still an issue for me.
Excellent post. Good point.
You speak truth-preach! Hearts have grown cold. It’s high time that the Body wakes up and does its job. The Bride is sleeping. God is love-and love is always the answer.
Amen, Esther.
An accurate depiction: check out the song “Asleep in the Light” by Keith Green
I have left numerous churches because of the coldness. I walked away from God for 8 years & overdosed 4 plus times. Mature Christians- there are baby Christian stumbling around, getting hurt and dying where are you? I went back to the world because I couldn’t find love in the church. The church is too holy to minister to the broken. How will the world know Christ if we don’t love one another? Faith without works is dead. Many will say to me on that day Lord, Lord..
I know and love the song, Esther. Hoping and praying you’ve not only grown stronger in your walk with Christ since then, but found others to love and fellowship with.
I love Keith Green-he was so sincere. We need someone like that today, that is completely on fire for God- no compromise. God has brought me a long way. I live in NYC finding a real Christian out here is almost impossible. This generation is another form of humanity that I cannot relate to. Otherwise, people out here don’t want to be bothered. The hour is late and you cannot trust anyone. I think a lot of real Christians are in the same position as me and my husband- no company is better then bad company. The wolves are everywhere right now. Thank you. God bless you.