Marks of the True Christian
REFLECTION
Growing up in a very poor neighborhood in São Paulo - Brazil, the most common phrase I've heard was "Nobody coming from this place can ever be successful in life". I saw many people struggling with that quote haunting their minds and actions and being defeated by it or they just stopped fighting to change that reality. Experiencing that environment just caused me to think about how easy it is for people to put some labels on other people and at the end of the day what label should I have that could express a big change or a real transformation in my life?
The apostle Paul addressed this issue with the church that was starting in Rome, that was actually the kind of city where the violence was evident, the pride was constant and the sinful way to live was normal and part of their culture. This scenario labeled Rome until today as the most idolatrous, immoral and sinful city in history.
In Romans chapter 12, Paul appeals to the believers to not be conformed with Rome's mindset and lifestyle, but he urged the Christians to be transformed by the renewal of their minds through the power of the Word of God so that they could do God's will not their own will.
Since the moment I gave my life to Jesus and He took away all cursed labels that my neighborhood had put on me, I have received a new identity in Him and I have found new labels in Christ, knowing that what Paul wrote to the believers in Rome in the past, really applies to me today and it drives my actions every day.
Romans 12: 9-21 describes the marks of the True Christian and it shows the privileges we have to show everybody that we are real Jesus's followers and all the blessed labels we all can have when we obey Him.
The encouragement for you is to not listen to what the world says about you, don't give any chance to be labeled as not important or not loved, but listen to God's voice saying you're special, unique and beyond loved. Follow His lead, believe in His promises and as Romans 12:12 says "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer".
SCRIPTURE
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- ROMANS 12:9-21
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, please help us to listen to your voice, to know you better, to seek your presence and to live our lives in a way that honors you and impacts everybody around us. Thank you for guiding us and to show us what to do everyday. Please Lord make evident in us these marks of a true Christian described in Romans 12 and use us for your glory. We praise you, we love you and we pray this prayer in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Growing up in a very poor neighborhood in São Paulo - Brazil, the most common phrase I've heard was "Nobody coming from this place can ever be successful in life". I saw many people struggling with that quote haunting their minds and actions and being defeated by it or they just stopped fighting to change that reality. Experiencing that environment just caused me to think about how easy it is for people to put some labels on other people and at the end of the day what label should I have that could express a big change or a real transformation in my life?
The apostle Paul addressed this issue with the church that was starting in Rome, that was actually the kind of city where the violence was evident, the pride was constant and the sinful way to live was normal and part of their culture. This scenario labeled Rome until today as the most idolatrous, immoral and sinful city in history.
In Romans chapter 12, Paul appeals to the believers to not be conformed with Rome's mindset and lifestyle, but he urged the Christians to be transformed by the renewal of their minds through the power of the Word of God so that they could do God's will not their own will.
Since the moment I gave my life to Jesus and He took away all cursed labels that my neighborhood had put on me, I have received a new identity in Him and I have found new labels in Christ, knowing that what Paul wrote to the believers in Rome in the past, really applies to me today and it drives my actions every day.
Romans 12: 9-21 describes the marks of the True Christian and it shows the privileges we have to show everybody that we are real Jesus's followers and all the blessed labels we all can have when we obey Him.
The encouragement for you is to not listen to what the world says about you, don't give any chance to be labeled as not important or not loved, but listen to God's voice saying you're special, unique and beyond loved. Follow His lead, believe in His promises and as Romans 12:12 says "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer".
SCRIPTURE
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- ROMANS 12:9-21
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, please help us to listen to your voice, to know you better, to seek your presence and to live our lives in a way that honors you and impacts everybody around us. Thank you for guiding us and to show us what to do everyday. Please Lord make evident in us these marks of a true Christian described in Romans 12 and use us for your glory. We praise you, we love you and we pray this prayer in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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3 Comments
In a world that continually labels people to the point of constant friction and division, it is so good to know that Christ destroys the hostility between us and heals the division with unity in the spirit.
Amen! Fighting against being defined by the labels that others impose on us, good or bad, is a constant battle. So thankful for the words you shared that reminds us that our ultimate label and identity is found in Christ.
Amazing testimony of God’s Providential hand on your life!