Hello ,
"You're the only Jesus that some people will see."
And that goes for the holidays too. With all the busyness of this time of year, people sometimes get sidetracked. Or worse yet, they don't even want to have an encounter with Jesus. Why? Because the "Jesus" that they have seen portrayed through the lives of His "proclaimed" followers doesn't even come close to matching up with Who Jesus really
was and is!
Do you really want to show the love of Christ to others during this holiday season? Here's a short list of attributes that Jesus displayed while He journeyed on planet earth. There are more (much more,) but three attributes will get us started.
Jesus actually loved people.
It's true. He didn't just say that He loved people, He really did! It wasn't an act; it wasn't a put-on for others to see how incredibly "holy" He was. When Jesus looked at people His heart ached for them and He wanted to somehow reach them with His love. From little children to wealthy, self-important young men...Jesus loved them
all.
His actions supported His words.
It's one thing to say that you're Christian. That phrase rolls off the tongue pretty easily. It's quite another matter to actually allow God to back up that statement with actions. Jesus allowed it. His strength came from a daily connection with His Heavenly Father, and people flocked to Him because He was so good at "walking the walk."
Yes, there were some who hated Him, but only those who didn't want Him to interrupt their selfish plans.
He wasn't afraid to get His hands dirty.
Jesus didn't lock Himself away in a stained-glass shrine for people to come and visit. He didn't wait for the people to make a journey to have an "audience" with Him. I find that type of "religious" behavior repugnant, and in my opinion it's a total reversal of what Jesus was about.
He went out among the people, healing, touching, and forgiving. There's a reason why He drew HUGE crowds. Is a servant better than his Master? I am a firm believer that Christians ought to go out among the people of the world with kindness, decency, and a helping hand. Nothing speaks God's love like actually helping someone in a tangible
way. Check out James 2:15-16.
I'm fully convinced that if those who claim to be Christians actually allowed God to work through them with just the three attributes listed above, that amazing things would happen for God's kingdom.
How will people see Jesus through you today? It's not too late to show His love to others during this holiday season!
Have a great day and God bless!