
You can’t be neutral in your faith. If it impacts you, you should want it to impact those you care about.
John Piper went so far as to say, “If you don’t want people to believe what you believe about God, your views of Him are not functionally significant for you.”
The fact is, if you don’t care what your family and friends believe, if you can sit by and watch them walk in sin, or (good grief) join in it yourself, you either don’t care about them or you don’t believe what you say you believe.
If this is the case, you may have a religion, but it’s never changed your life; because if Jesus has truly changed your life, you want others you care about to be changed as well.
Jesus had some pretty hard things to say about those who continue to willingly walk in sin, whose faith does not impact others, and who do not bear fruit—
“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. This you will recognize them by their fruits.“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:18-23)
Yes, that was Jesus. JESUS.
Revelation says, “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”. (Rev 3:15-16)
Spit you out = NOT GOOD
Friend, lukewarm neutral is not an option. It CANT BE for those who are true followers of Christ.
But some say, “Shouldn’t we just love them? Won’t they just “see” Jesus in us?” Friend, if you never bring up the misery-making sin in their life, you aren’t loving them!
But what if they say, you are “judging me”?
Here’s the thing, they might, because the enemy has confused and weaponized this phrase and uses it to keep us from speaking truth to each other about sin, because he knows the truth will set us free.
I’m so thankful for people in my life who recognized my sin for what it was and loved me enough to talk to me about it.
Those REAL friends wanted nothing to stand in the way of my relationship with God.
I’m so thankful they knew the difference between judging to condemn (which a Christian is not to do) and a discerning judgment of fruit (which a Christian is to do).
The father of all lies, the enemy, is skilled in taking the very words of God out of context. This is why it is so important for Christians to know God’s Word and to read it IN CONTEXT.
Oh friend, let’s be iron that sharpens iron for each other. Let’s call out the good in each other but let’s also talk to each other about sin that so easy entangles.
If we truly love others, we have to, in love, help them know what God says about how we are to live.
This is hard stuff. This is “cling-to-Jesus-with-all-you-have stuff,” but the consequences are huge.
Yes! Pray fervently before you ever open your mouth. Stay connected to God, and trust Him to give you the words. Love others and speak truth.
Because the truth…it sets us FREE!
And if Jesus is your Lord, you can’t just sit back and not want others to know this!
And if you don’t care, you have to wonder if you truly believe what you say you believe about God and eternity. Maybe, in the kindest way I can say this, maybe He’s really not Lord of your life?
kimjaggers.com
Amen!
On Tue, Jan 25, 2022, 5:50 AM Kim Jaggers Ministry wrote:
> Kim Jaggers posted: ” You can’t be neutral in your faith. If it impacts > you, you should want it to impact those you care about. John Piper went so > far as to say, “If you don’t want people to believe what you believe about > God, your views of Him are not functionally sig” >
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