It's apparent in the world today that many people have been hurt by the church and Christians. Why is this so? We really take a look at ourselves and see how our lives are affecting the people around us, because it's either positively or negatively. Countless numbers of people have walked away with this faint few of what Christianity is by what they see in the actions of those proclaiming to live with a regenerated heart; about 80% of America claims to be Christian, but can this reign true if the poor in this country aren't being helped or children being disregarded and not properly cared for or even an individual who walks away from the belief in God all because someone decided to not be Christ-like in a certain area (or maybe he/she was never Christ-like at all to begin with, hence Jesus saying that a bad tree cannot produce good fruit). Two things must happen: each individual person must ask themselves honestly whether or not he/she is truly saved by the grace of God--an honest, inward look at his/her heart, life, and decisions in life. Secondly, if someone truly is a believer, one must ask his/herself if they are "considering others better than themselves" and "looking not only towards their own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Php 2:3-4). I've run into numerous people, as I'm sure you have as well, who have completely disregarded Jesus because they ran into hypocritical people either in the church or somewhere in their life.
As Christians, we have been regenerated
by love
for love. How so?
Regenerated by love:- "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
- "But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
- "In love he predestined us for adoptions as Sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will." Ephesians 1:4-5
Regenerated for love:- "A new commandment I give to you, that you love another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
- "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." John 14:21
- "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." Acts 9:8, 11
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