Русский
Română
Español
Question:
In the last 3-4 years, since I began studying your site and especially reading the Bible, I noticed that people are surprised at how different my behavior is, though frankly, I think I’ve changed for the better. I tell them that I believe in God, I try to live according to Bible teachings, and in addition, to share with them my faith, as a sacred duty left to each of us, when Jesus ascended to heaven. They reply that they also have faith, that they do not need someone like me to teach them or give them religious material, most of which I take from your very useful site, and they also say that I have become a religious fanatic. What do you think? Am I somehow exaggerating? God bless you and thanks again in advance!
It is a great joy for me to read this beautiful testimony and see the effect of the work of God’s word, that brings transformation, as it is written:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)(NASB)
In the Epistle that bears his name, St. James says that even among those who claim to be Christians and believers in God are two kinds of people.
Nominal Christians (forgetful listeners) despise you
The text says:
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. (James 1:22-24)(NASB)
Unlike the crowds of people who claim to be Christians but do not read the Bible and do not attend church services, there is a sort of people who attend church, and come to hear God’s word, but do not rush toeffectively do it and so, they are like a man who, after having looked at his natural face in a mirror, goes away without making any change in his appearance, because he immediately forgets what kind of person he was. Let us beware of such a religion, that does not bring any transformation of life and …
Let us be effectual doers
Such a man is content neither being a Christian in name only nor just listening to the Word of God. He insists to understand the word deeply and to live according to it. Therefore it is written about him that he will be and is blessed in what he does:
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)
The testimony which you have written is a proof to me that you are not just a forgetful hearer of the Word of God, but an effectual doer. God help you always remain this way.
God requires a full commitment
You can not be a “partial” Christian, as people ask you to be. The Lord Jesus said:
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. ”For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)(NASB)
What your friends tell you to do is contrary to the words and teachings of Jesus Christ. Do not follow their advice. Be faithful to God’s Word. And those who do not want you to send them articles and other Christian materials, do not send them, but do not stop to pray for their salvation and whenever you have an opportunity, go to visit and talk to them from the Scriptures.
Why do people hate Christians?
Jesus warned us about this attitude of people when He said:
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master ‘ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. (John 15:18-27)(NASB)
May God help us remain faithful to Him and proclaim the way of salvation and our Lord Jesus Christ to all people.
Translated by Felicia Rotaru