{"id":25909,"date":"2020-07-27T10:47:58","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T16:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=25909"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:28:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:28:21","slug":"the-life-of-christ-a-testimony-of-beautiful-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/the-life-of-christ-a-testimony-of-beautiful-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"The Life of Christ: a Testimony of Beautiful Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Life of Christ in the Lives of True Disciples<\/h3>\n

Greetings in the name of Jesus, faithful disciples of the Lord. Some of you may wonder why I am always writing positive things, even when times are difficult. First, it is a commandment recorded by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Rejoice always,<\/li>\n
  2. pray continually,<\/li>\n
  3. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    But one of the most compelling reasons is the wonderful life of Jesus Christ I witness in the lives of true disciples<\/a> of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

    Impact of COVID-19 on a Local Church Congregation<\/h3>\n

    In several churches in the Southwest District of the General Conference Church of God (Seventh Day), families have contracted the disease called COVID-19 <\/a>caused by the coronavirus. But this testimony is about the women of a local Church of God (Seventh Day) in Arkansas and a whole family in that church that experienced the impact of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

    The father contracted the illness from his exposure in the workplace and before it was known, his wife and family were also exposed. The parents suffered from the disease and, at the time of my learning of the matter, the children were not exhibiting major symptoms but did also test positive for the coronavirus. We praise God for their survival.<\/p>\n

    Reaction and Action<\/h3>\n

    This is where the story turns Christian. Upon learning of the family\u2019s plight, the women of the Local Church arranged it so meals<\/a> would be prepared for the family every day and left on the front porch for the children to carry into the house. That is Christian love. How can I be anything but positive when the people of God exhibit such discipleship?<\/p>\n

    [bctt tweet=”How can I be anything but positive when the people of God exhibit such discipleship? – Chip Hinds”]<\/p>\n

    And yet, sometimes a warning is necessary. Because not all those professing to follow Christ behave in such ways. When we read Jesus\u2019 narrative of the judgment scene, the focus is on how to be a neighbor<\/a> to someone in need. No mention is made of the more traditional things the Jews then, and the Christians of today, focus on. Here are Jesus\u2019 words to those that thought they had done enough to gain entrance into his eternal kingdom, \u201cdepart, I never knew you.\u201d Wow!<\/p>\n

    What’s important?<\/h3>\n

    I am not saying correct doctrine is not important. It is. The epistles of 2 John and 3 John speak of the relevance of that balance. The teachings of Jesus include many important points: at the top are the Great Commandment<\/a> and the Great Commission<\/a>. But forgiving others because we are forgiven and being a neighbor to others seem to be extremely high on Jesus\u2019 list of important matters.<\/p>\n

    When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, he returned to the fifth point of that prayer to illustrate there is a way to ruin your own forgiveness by not forgiving others. You can check out that one if you like. But first I want us to consider Jesus\u2019 discussion of the judgment.<\/p>\n

    The Judgment<\/h3>\n

    Matthew 25:31-46, NIV<\/b><\/h4>\n
      \n
    1. \n
        \n
      1. \u201cWhen the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.<\/li>\n
      2. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.<\/li>\n
      3. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.<\/li>\n
      4. \u201cThen the King will say to those on his right, \u2018Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.<\/li>\n
      5. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,<\/li>\n
      6. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.\u2019<\/li>\n
      7. \u201cThen the righteous will answer him, \u2018Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?<\/li>\n
      8. When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?<\/li>\n
      9. When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?\u2019<\/li>\n
      10. \u201cThe King will reply, \u2018Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.\u2019<\/li>\n
      11. \u201cThen he will say to those on his left, \u2018Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.<\/li>\n
      12. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,<\/li>\n
      13. I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.\u2019<\/li>\n
      14. \u201cThey also will answer, \u2018Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?\u2019<\/li>\n
      15. \u201cHe will reply, \u2018Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.\u2019<\/li>\n
      16. \u201cThen they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Rejoicing over this Church Family<\/h3>\n

        I am rejoicing over the women of the Fort Smith, Arkansas Church of God (Seventh Day) who, without outside prompting, immediately came together and determined how they could meet the needs of their neighbor and fellow family in Christ. It reminded me of an old hymn that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Sure, there are some who still sing it to this day. But in those days, it was a standard of fellowship in the circles of Churches where my mother took me for worship. It was titled, \u201cA Beautiful Life.\u201d It seemed to be loosely based on one of Jesus\u2019 parables as recorded by Dr. Luke in his account of the gospel.<\/p>\n

        Luke 10:33-34, NIV\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n
            \n
          1. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.<\/li>\n
          2. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Your Attitude and Behavior towards Others<\/h3>\n

            Please read the words of this 100-year-old hymn, and let it guide you in your attitude and behavior towards others.<\/p>\n

            A Beautiful Life<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

            By\u00a0William M. Golden<\/a>, 1918<\/p>\n

            Copyright status is:\u00a0Public Domain<\/a><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Each day I\u2019ll do a golden deed,
              \nBy helping those who are in need;
              \nMy life on earth is but a span,
              \nAnd so I\u2019ll do the best I can.<\/p>\n