As I was reading the book "The Jesus Letters" by David Ravenhill this morning, a particular thing he said jumped out at me: Beware of the man you can't imitate.
It quickly hit me how convicting that statement as well as the preceding paragraph was. He was writing about the apostle Paul, and how great of an apostle he was in the faith. Paul was able to say in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
My good buddy Tom would ask, if someone followed you around for a day, week, month... would they be closer to Jesus by the end of it? If they followed you into your home, your workplace, your quiet places when you are alone, would they be lead closer to Jesus?
Beware of the man [person] you can't imitate.
The reality is we are leading people. Friends, relatives, children, spouses, co-workers... The question is, where are we leading them?
Could you and I say today, imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ?
Showing posts with label David Ravenhill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Ravenhill. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Knowledge
In America, we seem to prize knowledge. Knowledge seems to be the end in many ways, instead of part of the journey. Because I know or can at least conceptualize something or some subject matter, it makes me more valuable or some how important.
From what I see in the Scriptures, however, there is a difference between knowing something and doing something. Knowledge isn't everything. Even though a person is exhorted to gain knowledge in Proverbs, we also know that a believer must not be just a hearer of the Word, but a doer as well.
With the men I get together with on Wednesday nights, I talked about this very issue. We recently started a new book to discuss, The Jesus Letters, by David Ravenhill. Mr. Ravenhill is a man we all respect, and we look forward to his teaching on the letters to the churches in Revelation.
In the book, Mr. Ravenhill talks about the plethora of books that we have on christianity today. The problem is that if we are not careful, this book will become just another one of those books, just another book on the shelf. Nice book, sure. But how did it affect my life?
It's too easy to read another book, get done, say "that was nice," and move on with it having no lasting impact on my life.
More knowledge, more hearing; no change, no doing.
The worse thought though is not that we do that with good books like Mr. Ravenhill's, but that we do it with God's book to humanity, the Holy Scriptures.
The Bible talks about how hearing (or reading) and not doing is like looking in a mirror, seeing ourselves for who we are, and then walking away immediately forgetting what we looked like. Too many times I believe that describes me.
May we not be readers only, but doers.
From what I see in the Scriptures, however, there is a difference between knowing something and doing something. Knowledge isn't everything. Even though a person is exhorted to gain knowledge in Proverbs, we also know that a believer must not be just a hearer of the Word, but a doer as well.
With the men I get together with on Wednesday nights, I talked about this very issue. We recently started a new book to discuss, The Jesus Letters, by David Ravenhill. Mr. Ravenhill is a man we all respect, and we look forward to his teaching on the letters to the churches in Revelation.
In the book, Mr. Ravenhill talks about the plethora of books that we have on christianity today. The problem is that if we are not careful, this book will become just another one of those books, just another book on the shelf. Nice book, sure. But how did it affect my life?
It's too easy to read another book, get done, say "that was nice," and move on with it having no lasting impact on my life.
More knowledge, more hearing; no change, no doing.
The worse thought though is not that we do that with good books like Mr. Ravenhill's, but that we do it with God's book to humanity, the Holy Scriptures.
The Bible talks about how hearing (or reading) and not doing is like looking in a mirror, seeing ourselves for who we are, and then walking away immediately forgetting what we looked like. Too many times I believe that describes me.
May we not be readers only, but doers.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Jesus Letters
I recently started reading a new book, The Jesus Letters by David Ravenhill. Mr. Ravenhill came and spoke at our church recently, unfortunately my family and I were unable to attend. However, my good buddy Tom snatched me a copy of this book, and I'm glad he did!
From the beginning of the book I felt as if I was biting into a big hunk of steak. No frills, no fluff, probably won't ever see it as a NY Times Best Seller, but maybe that's part of what makes it so good. I'm not too far into the book, but Mr. Ravenhill doesn't hesitate to cut to the chase. He jumps right in with great insight for our churches and our lives.
If you are looking for something other than the typical Christian living best seller, don't hesitate, get a hold of this book today and join me as I read through its pages. Purchase the book here.
From the beginning of the book I felt as if I was biting into a big hunk of steak. No frills, no fluff, probably won't ever see it as a NY Times Best Seller, but maybe that's part of what makes it so good. I'm not too far into the book, but Mr. Ravenhill doesn't hesitate to cut to the chase. He jumps right in with great insight for our churches and our lives.
If you are looking for something other than the typical Christian living best seller, don't hesitate, get a hold of this book today and join me as I read through its pages. Purchase the book here.
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