Imitation, but Dig Deeper.

"I like your Christ, but I don't like your Christians. Your Christians are nothing like your Christ." (Gandhi) That is the reason people see Jesus in a negative light because us "Christians" don't embody Christ as He embodied Himself. Let's show the world who the fullness of Christ is, but that will only begin when you yourself understand the personality of Christ Himself, and that will only happen when your relationship with Him becomes more intimate, meaningful, and true. STEP UP! "Let us not conform to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God's perfect will, His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Everyone, if you are suffering through some sort of loss, pain, or trial know that it is because God loves you not the contrary. "Consider it pure joy my brothers (that includes you too sisters) when you face trials of many kinds for the testing of your faith developes perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 He releases His hand for a short while so that you can learn how to walk, then, after a short while, He returns, only to help you be able to run. He builds you for His glory and His glory alone, nothing we do apart from Christ matters. Be rooted to the vine at all times (John 15). Pray for your brothers and sisters in the faith, that we may become one in the body of Christ (Ephesians - Church and James) and help one another out with each other's struggles. But even in that be vulnerable and open, be honest and true about what you need help with; confess your sins to one another so that through prayer and brokenness Jesus may enter your sorrow with passion and begin His work of sanctification. For only the Lord knows everything about you - your true heart - and only He can fix the mess that we have created. The more real you are with yourself and with God the more He can come into your life and begin to help.

Love one another, deeply from the heart, not superficially. Care for one another and help each other through discipleship, prayer, and acts of faith. Hold each other accountable for if we do not help out our brothers and sisters in this way then instead of it being 'Christian friendship it is really just going through the motions and the start of heading down the path of Christian fakery.' You are responsible for the lives of those around you who call themselves Christians because if someone says "I am a Christian" then they are called to live above reproach - a higher standard. Don't be fake and beat around the bush that you are helping someone when you don't get to "the heart of the matter" with them about their sin; help them.

So I sum this blog post up with this: Love one another and search the Scriptures to understand what the word "LOVE" truly means and then apply it to your life. For if you understand Love then you will understand the two greatest commandments Jesus states "Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and then Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 23:37-38