What If?
I have some What If Questions. But before I get to them, I have a premise. I believe that those who are true followers of Christ, who live according to biblical principles found throughout Scripture, can have a positive influence on a community. There can be a transformation in the lives of individuals, families, communities, nations.
True Christians?
What If there are those who claim to be Christians but are not truly born again?
if someone is claiming to be a Christian but does not have a true relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they are not going to reflect the character of Christ and thus be a poor example of what it means to be a Christian.
Maybe it is time for you to ask yourself if you are truly born again.
Seven Indicators of True Salvation
Receive Eternal Salvation
Love Your Enemies
What if Christians loved their enemies instead of hate them?
They would certainly be a more positive influence in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas and your community. What do you reflect when on Facebook? Do you personally attack individuals? Do you resort to name calling, mocking, spreading rumors? If so, you need to repent. You are doing more harm than good in your community. Christians stop reflecting hatred.
Fruit of the Spirit
What if Christians lived a life that reflected the fruit of the spirit? What is the fruit of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our communities would certainly be better off if those who call themselves Christians manifested the fruit of the Spirit on a consistent basis.
Unity, not Discord
What if Christians did all they could to find ways to bring unity instead of discord. To find ways they can find work together with others for the good of the community. Volunteer with various organizations. Find ways to be a mediator.
Prayer
What if Christians would commit to Standing in the Gap for their community via Intercessory Prayer. What if Christians from local churches gathered together to pray for their community? Serious prayer. Prayer for repentance, prayer for forgiveness, prayer for their leaders to have divine wisdom.
Stand Against Injustice
What if Christians took a stand against all evil, ALL injustice, not just the injustice that their political alliances call evil and unjust?
Righteousness and Holiness
What if Christians lived according to the godly principles found in Scripture. Walking in righteousness and holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christlike
What if Christians were more Christ-like in their words, actions, behavior, lifestyle? Here me out on this one. Too many Christians, too many non-Christians have an image of Jesus that is not biblical. Jesus is presented as a mushy gushy loving person with an ‘anything goes’ mindset. That is not the Jesus of the Bible. Far from it. Jesus did not have just nice things to say. Jesus did not remain silent on the subject of sin and judgment. Jesus was not a people pleaser. But at the same time Jesus was not a hater, not a people basher, Jesus represented the true balance of hating the sin but loving the sinner.
My Premise
I repeat my premise in light of the What If questions. I believe that those who are true followers of Christ, who live according to biblical principles found throughout Scripture, can have a positive influence on a community. There can be a transformation in the lives of individuals, families, communities, nations.
