In his letter to the Romans, Paul begins by noting that he is "called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God." Paul clearly articulates the distinction present for those who have been called to serve Christ. To be set apart is to be distinct...different. In a crowd, whether there are five or hundreds, those called of God should stand out. In a nation famed for its merging of cultures, Christians should maintain their distinctive beliefs and behavior for the purpose of the "gospel of God."
Although I would like to say that I am living a distinct life set apart from the culture and that those who see me are continually pointed to the glory of God, I must admit that there is at least one place where I have failed be "set apart." Unfortunately, this is the one place where I am surrounded by the most unbelievers...the local ball field. My two sons, Collin and Granger, play for the Marlins in the 9 and 10 year old league. I look forward to the nights when they play. There's something uniquely American about an evening at the Little League ball field. I find myself anticipating those nights.
What's the problem? Injustice!!! I can't stand to see injustice...especially when it concerns my kids or their team. When an obviously bad call is made I find myself engulfed in frustration which ultimately leads to anger. It's not righteous anger. It is pure sin. Why can't they get these calls right. The next thing I know, my wife is trying to calm me down and reminding me of my witness. Unfortunately, that tends to make matters worse!
Although this hasn't happened much, it has happened one to many! I wonder what those unbelievers are saying. No I don't! I know! That's what hurts.
I must always remember that as I Christian, I am called to be different. People must notice me for what I do to honor God, not disgrace his name by my actions.
God, forgive me for disgracing your name. Forgive me for losing control of my emotions and putting my own interests ahead of glorifying your name. May I remember that I am "set apart for the gospel of God."
6 comments:
This is a realization that I wish more Christians would come too. The sad thing is Ray that you will get more comments that sound like, "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself" or "Your just human like the rest of us" rather than getting the comment that we should all make to you...Thank you for your honesty. The harder you try to look like Christ makes me want to try harder. Please keep being real and transparent so that others may learn of what it truly means to be "set apart for the gospel of God."
Being a Christian is very hard. Chuck is right the harder you try to look like Christ, makes me want to try harder. I enjoyed last night's service and it is my goal to try and follow that course. Thank you for all you and Stephanie do for our church and the community. Having a pastor that will "step outside of the box" and do things that Jesus would do if he was in Cordele, you are setting the example and setting our church apart for the gospel of God.
Charlotte
I see you have entered "Blogville"....How very exciting! We can now keep up with "Everyday Life with Ray & Stephanie"....even though we do not get to "do life" together daily. Still know we are prayerful about you and your ministry...that you ARE the real deal...and the hardest thing about ministry is "staying above the fray"...
P.S. Tell Stephanie we want to see her blog! :-)
Ephesians 4:1 (HCSB)
1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
Thanks for the reminder, Wilbur. I can't be worthy of my salvation, but salvation ought to color every aspect of my life -- even how I respond to the things that annoy me.
I also thought about how Christians shouldn't be surprised when lost people act lost. You've got a crowd of lost and some nominally Christian Georgians at a little league game -- where the umps get fifteen bucks a game whether he gets every call right or not. Are you amazed that tempers flare in a fallen world? The call of Christ is to be larger than that pettiness, recognizing we were made for bigger things. Press on to the life that honors the eternal and transcendent.
I agree with your blog so much Ray. Truelly being set apart is the hardest thing on this earth. but what I believe that most christians have the most problem with is that they look at it completely wrong. I know as a young christian I looked at this thought as a bunch of rules and regulations that I had to follow and all the fun things that I saw others doing I couldn't do because that was not what God would like. for example a much debated topic of dancing. Please believe what they want but my bible reads that people of biblical times danced in the temple in worship and praise to God. I can remember being in Sunday School as a Child and being taught that dancing was of the Devil and nothing good could come out of it.
But to me its all about the context. Its all about what you are doing it for and whats in your heart. Paul also wrote about being crucified with Christ. This is and incredible statement of the Bible. If we as Christians could ever wrap our minds around this statement then everything would change for us. Just let God be in Control of us. Does that mean we are not going to mess up? Absolutely not because we will we have a sin nature but God will convict us and we will learn from our mistakes. As you shown in your example at the baseball game. Be set apart! Not perfect! If you try to be perfect you will never achieve this status.
With each day that passes, and with each blog from you pastor Ray.
the attachments/comments help me in my walk and wanting to know more.
even though their are ups and downs in my walk mentally. I know the bottom line is for me pray about it and Jesus will clear my mind. I am so great full to all that contribute to these blogs. also great full for what I learn at Sunday school, and in church. of course what I learn in reading the bible by myself it all seems to put everything that I'm learning together.
thank you all
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