"Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God."
(27:6 NIV)
Good thing to remember: Follow in His ways.
Not too long ago, my granddaughter told me that someone we had met was kind of scary. LOL... He was not scary, but he did have an air of authority. He carried himself well and he tried to be steadfast in doing the will of the LORD. People who do this can be very intimidating. And... that's ok.
Sometimes, Christians who are perceived in this manner are judged to be acting like judges over others. I've found that this is not usually the case. What I see happening is the righteousness of Christ is seen in these individuals and as is human nature when we encounter such persons, we judge ourselves to be less than we could be. It is not the member of the Body of Christ who judges others, but the individuals themselves recognizing their sinful natures whether they repent of them or not. When they do not, they will justify their own actions, accusing the one whose presence makes their behaviors uncomfortable to them, as judging them.
Personally, I get a bit wearied with those who profess to be Christians who never weary of judging other Christians who actually read their Bibles and participate in Worship and Bible studies. Those who serve the LORD with all their hearts, minds, and souls, and who love their neighbors as themselves should not be ostracized as some sort of crazed fanatics. They are not. They are only responding to the love the Christ has for them, even in giving his life for them on the cross. Should his sacrifice be taken so lightly that we would not worship and serve Him with our whole beings?
May God help each and everyone one of us to walk steadfastly before the LORD our God.
(27:6 NIV)
Good thing to remember: Follow in His ways.
Not too long ago, my granddaughter told me that someone we had met was kind of scary. LOL... He was not scary, but he did have an air of authority. He carried himself well and he tried to be steadfast in doing the will of the LORD. People who do this can be very intimidating. And... that's ok.
Sometimes, Christians who are perceived in this manner are judged to be acting like judges over others. I've found that this is not usually the case. What I see happening is the righteousness of Christ is seen in these individuals and as is human nature when we encounter such persons, we judge ourselves to be less than we could be. It is not the member of the Body of Christ who judges others, but the individuals themselves recognizing their sinful natures whether they repent of them or not. When they do not, they will justify their own actions, accusing the one whose presence makes their behaviors uncomfortable to them, as judging them.
Personally, I get a bit wearied with those who profess to be Christians who never weary of judging other Christians who actually read their Bibles and participate in Worship and Bible studies. Those who serve the LORD with all their hearts, minds, and souls, and who love their neighbors as themselves should not be ostracized as some sort of crazed fanatics. They are not. They are only responding to the love the Christ has for them, even in giving his life for them on the cross. Should his sacrifice be taken so lightly that we would not worship and serve Him with our whole beings?
May God help each and everyone one of us to walk steadfastly before the LORD our God.
