My friend, Kathi Avarbuch, is an awesome Christian woman of faith and commitment. A widow, she had recently started to participate in singles events again with her church. She met a man, and after several dates, she suggested that perhaps they sign up for a couple’s Bible study, as that might be a good way to gain a deeper spiritual understanding of each other. He basically said “no”, stating that he really didn’t believe that Jesus is God. Kathi explains the rest far better than I could retell it. See how she is led by the Spirit, and listen to her strong witness…
When’s the last time you gave THAT powerful a witness? Have you EVER witnessed your belief in Jesus in public? How about to just one other person? Do you ever wish you could?
I felt the Lord has had our paths cross for a reason and good can come from our relationship as friends. If you ever need me I would be there for you. Jesus has said, “Love one another.” The Lord has also placed these thoughts that I’m going to share with you in my heart, and it is my prayer that you will seriously pray and open your heart and listen. I care very much for you and do want God’s best for you.
Our earthly destiny and eternal lives depend on our faith and belief in Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is what separates Christians from every other belief in the world... including the Jewish faith. It was because Jesus Himself claimed to be God that the Jews wanted to kill Him. Jesus stated many times to be God. Here are a few scriptures and I know if you ask any of the pastors at our church they will agree with what I have written. This is the core of what being a Christian is all about. He said, “I and the Father are one” (John10:30), “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I AM!” At this they (the Jews) picked up stones to stone him,” (John 8:59). It was very clear when Jesus spoke to the leaders in the temple who he was claiming to be. The leaders in the temple asked him who his father was and Jesus answered, “You know neither Me, nor My Father: if you knew Me, you would know My Father also” (John 8:19). Also Paul is telling us in a nutshell, so to speak, how Jesus left heaven to be among us in 1 Timothy 3:16 “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” The “He” was God Jesus in the manuscripts. One of my favorites is in Philippians 2: 6-8 “Who, being in very nature GOD did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance of a man, he humbled himself and become obedient to death even death on a cross.” I feel this is one the clearest scriptures there is on the deity of Christ Jesus. It is due to our differences in who you and I believe Jesus to be that ended our relationship. For the Bible makes it clear to me that I am “not to be unevenly yoked” in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
It is my prayer that you will understand and turn your life over to Jesus. He wants to be on the throne of everyone’s heart. Even after being a Christian, we will fail at times but that’s where repentance and loving forgiveness comes in when we ask for it. Going to church every Sunday and doing good things doesn’t make us a Christian. Keeping Jesus on the throne of our heart as our Lord and God and doing our best to obey His word, repenting when we fail Him, is what He expects of us. We don’t have to be perfect, just do our best and leave the rest to Him.
I pray this makes my beliefs about who Jesus is clearer to you. My prayer for you is that one day you will know Him as is stated in the Bible. Yes, He is God’s Son who emptied himself of godhood and walked among us.
In Loving Friendship, Kathi
When’s the last time you gave THAT powerful a witness? Have you EVER witnessed your belief in Jesus in public? How about to just one other person? Do you ever wish you could?
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ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a powerful act of witnessing! I must confess that I have not been this strong in an outward way. However, in response to the question about witnessing in public, there is no doubt that part of our Christian character demands a public declaration. With a strong Christian orientation it is actually quite easy to do this and it is something we sometimes YEARN to do. I have enjoyed discussing my faith at work, and I note that others often enjoy it as well (describing their faith to me). When I happen upon someone who does not have a strong faith walk (or they do not have a faith walk) AND the opportunity comes about to discuss my faith . . . this is where the "rubber meets the road". I pray that I might somehow make a difference for that person in nudging them toward an understanding of Jesus in a meaningful way. This indeed is what makes our public witnessing so important and worthwhile!
ReplyDeleteMatt Bagne
In years past, the 'oughtness' of witnessing was hit hard, so that it became an unpleasant duty rather than a joy. Today the pastor was talking about metamorphosis; that when the inside changes, the outside has no choice but to change. When I have Christ as my center, and when I allow Him to shine through me, the relationship becomes obvious, winsomely, joyfully. He draws people to Himself. And it's amazing the opportunities that are given to tell people when they ask what's different about me. Why am I able to go on so soon after my husband died. Why when he was in officer candidate school he didn't react like the others. People are watching, both Christians and non-Christians. And they want to know why we are different. And in the joy of being, of being His, witnessing is just part of being, instead of a DUTY.
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