{"id":116,"date":"2012-11-05T10:44:39","date_gmt":"2012-11-05T15:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/apertureoflight\/?p=116"},"modified":"2012-11-05T10:44:39","modified_gmt":"2012-11-05T15:44:39","slug":"we-are-first-his","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/apertureoflight\/2012\/11\/we-are-first-his.html","title":{"rendered":"We are first His"},"content":{"rendered":"

Obviously we are at the peak of the political season. \u00a0I had promised myself I wouldn’t get involved via Facebook but a few nights ago I felt compelled to say something. \u00a0Just a disclaimer: \u00a0I have no intention of starting a political argument. \u00a0Because of what was said in the back and forth the other night, it got me to thinking, some people support this guy for these reasons and hate this guy..Other people support this guy for these reasons and hate this guy. \u00a0I think as Christians, what we need to be looking at is who most closely shows characteristics of Jesus. \u00a0Not just hot air, but real<\/strong> genuine characteristics…ok maybe I shouldn’t have said it that way, but its true right??<\/p>\n

Basically what I want to hit on is Jesus. \u00a0Ok so we “know” what both of these candidates believe in, or so we think. \u00a0But ultimately who is in control? \u00a0Let’s just relax a little bit and let Him be in control.<\/p>\n

So, What does Jesus believe in?\u00a0<\/strong>(This is based on my own interpretation and how Jesus has affected my life)<\/p>\n

I think the gospels are an awesome place to start if you want to understand Jesus’ character. \u00a0So I chose Matthew.<\/p>\n

\u2022First off, the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23):<\/p>\n

-love<\/p>\n

-joy<\/p>\n

-peace<\/p>\n

-patience<\/p>\n

-kindness<\/p>\n

-goodness<\/p>\n

-faithfulness<\/p>\n

-gentleness<\/p>\n

-self-control<\/p>\n

–it also goes on to say, “Against such things there is no law..”<\/p>\n

Based on my readings in the book of Matthew, these are other characteristics of Jesus in which I have concluded (if we are not flat out told Jesus is these things, we can easily see them in the way that he dealt with issues):<\/p>\n

\u2022respectful<\/p>\n

\u2022humble<\/p>\n

\u2022giving to the poor<\/p>\n

\u2022just (for the persecuted and for all)<\/p>\n

—“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. \u00a0Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. \u00a0Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. \u00a0Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. \u00a0Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. \u00a0Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. \u00a0Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. \u00a0Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3-12<\/p>\n

\u2022fulfillment of the law<\/p>\n

—“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” – Matthew 5:17<\/p>\n

\u2022peace over anger<\/p>\n

\u2022decisiveness<\/p>\n

—“Simply let your yes be yes and your no be no…” – Matthew 5:37<\/p>\n

\u2022love for those who do you wrong (Matthew 5:38-42)<\/p>\n

—“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? \u00a0Are not even the tax collectors doing that? \u00a0And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?” – Matthew 5:44-47<\/p>\n

\u2022forgiveness<\/p>\n

\u2022generosity<\/p>\n

\u2022unsefishness<\/p>\n

\u2022faith<\/p>\n

\u2022non-judgementalness<\/p>\n

—“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. \u00a0For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2<\/p>\n

\u2022truth<\/p>\n

\u2022genuinity<\/p>\n

\u2022relationship<\/p>\n

\u2022love<\/p>\n

\u2022justice (Isaiah 61)<\/p>\n

\u2022healing (physically, emotionally, spiritually)<\/p>\n

\u2022carrying other’s burdens<\/p>\n

—“Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galations 6:2<\/p>\n

\u2022acceptance of those society rejects (Matthew 9:9-12)<\/p>\n

\u2022life<\/p>\n

\u2022hard work<\/p>\n

\u2022fighting for good<\/p>\n

\u2022rest for the weary<\/p>\n

—“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. \u00a0Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. \u00a0For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30<\/p>\n

\u2022mercy<\/p>\n

\u2022character<\/p>\n

\u2022courage<\/p>\n

\u2022peace and forgiveness in relationships (Matthew 18:15-35)<\/p>\n

\u2022equality (Matthew 20)<\/p>\n

\u2022hope<\/p>\n

———————<\/p>\n

So there is freedom in Christ<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

“You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ: you have fallen away from grace. \u00a0But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit, the righteousness for which we hope. \u00a0For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. \u00a0The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” – Galations 5:4-6<\/p>\n

———————<\/p>\n

Galations also talks about the acts of the sinful nature:<\/p>\n

“So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the acts of the sinful nature. \u00a0For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. \u00a0They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. \u00a0But if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under law<\/strong>.” – Galations 5:16-18<\/p>\n

“you are not under law<\/strong>” WOW, let that sink in for a minute. \u00a0God doesn’t want to put us under strict law, He just wants us to love Him and let his Spirit guide us. \u00a0He wants what is best for us.<\/p>\n

And He makes it obvious what the sinful nature looks like (which is opposite of a spirit filled with God):<\/p>\n

-sexual immorality<\/p>\n

-impurity and debauchery<\/p>\n

-idolotry<\/p>\n

-witchcraft<\/p>\n

-hatred<\/p>\n

-discord<\/p>\n

-jealousy<\/p>\n

-fits of rage<\/p>\n

-selfish ambition<\/p>\n

-dissentions<\/p>\n

-factions and envy<\/p>\n

-drunkenness<\/p>\n

-orgies<\/p>\n

“and the like” – Galations 5: 19-21<\/p>\n

———————<\/p>\n

And lastly, a few things to watch out for:<\/p>\n

“Watch out for false prophets. \u00a0They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are furious wolves. \u00a0By their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:15-16<\/p>\n

Some people “..honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. \u00a0They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” – Matthew 15:8<\/p>\n

-The Seven Woes – Matthew 23<\/p>\n

———————<\/p>\n

The greatest commandment:<\/p>\n

“Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. \u00a0This is the first and greatest commandment. \u00a0And the second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'”. – Matthew 22: 37-39.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Happy voting. \u00a0Remeber that first, we are His.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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