Stumbling Block

1 Corinthians 1:23

Today I was at a small dog park in Manhattan Beach and I met a nice older couple, Beth and Don. After chatting with them for a little bit about dogs, I asked them if I could ask them a question. They said sure, so I asked them if they were believers in Jesus Christ? Beth replied, "No, quite the opposite." I asked her what she meant by that and she said that they are Jewish. I then asked them if anyone had ever explained the Gospel to them, hoping that I would be able to, but they were not interested in hearing it. I asked if they are waiting for another Messiah and Beth's response was, "Not another Messiah, the Messiah." I then asked her if she had ever read Psalm 22. She said, "I don't really......," which to me implied that she doesn't really read, nor know the scriptures very well. I encouraged her to read Psalm 22.

The reason I encouraged her to read Psalm 22 is because it is in the Old Testament (the Jewish Bible), which Jews and Christians consider divinely inspired scripture. It also contains some of the most amazing prophecies concerning the Messiah. Verse 1 says, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" These are the very same words Jesus uttered when He was nailed to the cross (Matthew 27:46). When Jesus cried out those words, the Jews that were there would have immediately known that He was quoting Psalm 22 because they knew the scriptures so well. They would have then recited the rest of the Psalm in their heads and must have been in awe when they arrived at verse 16, which says, "they have pierced my hands and feet," and verse 18, which says, "they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." The events prophesied in Psalm 22 were happening right before their very eyes. Jesus is the Messiah! Keep in mind that this Psalm was written by King David about 1,000 B.C. and at a time when crucifixion was not even practiced yet.

On my way home I began praying for Beth and Don that they would read Psalm 22 and realize that Jesus is the Messiah. Please join me in praying for their salvation.

Walk

What does the Word of God say regarding the manner in which Christians are to walk? A concordance search of the word "walk" revealed the following verses:

Romans 4:12 - "and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also WALK in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised."

Romans 6:4 - "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might WALK in newness of life."

Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
*Some manuscripts add "who WALK not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Romans 8:4 - "in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who WALK not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Romans 13:13 - "Let us WALK properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy."

2 Corinthians 5:7 - "for we WALK by faith, not by sight."

Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, WALK by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also WALK by the Spirit."

Galatians 6:14-16 - "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which [1] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who WALK by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."

Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK in them."

Ephesians 4:1 - "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to WALK in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."

Ephesians 4:17 - "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer WALK as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds."

Ephesians 5:2 - "And WALK in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 5:8 - "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. WALK as children of light."

Ephesians 5:15 - "Look carefully then how you WALK, not as unwise but as wise."

Philippians 3:17-18 - "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who WALK according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, WALK as enemies of the cross of Christ."

Colossians 1:10 - "so as to WALK in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Colossians 2:6 - "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so WALK in him."

Colossians 4:5 - "WALK in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."

1 Thessalonians 2:12 - "we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to WALK in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."

1 Thessalonians 4:1 - "Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to WALK and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more."

1 Thessalonians 4:12 - "so that you may WALK properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."

1 Thessalonians 3:11 - "For we hear that some among you WALK in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies."

Important Questions About Life

How did we come into existence?

Why are we here?

What happens after this life?

There is someone who can provide answers to these important questions. His name is Jesus. God in the flesh (John 1:14). He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one goes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). He was crucified for our sins and then resurrected on the third day. Over 500 people witnessed the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:6), many of them willing to go to their death for testifying to what they saw.

Please, repent and put your trust in the only one who can forgive your sins and give you everlasting life (John 3:16).

Representatives

Imagine you work for Apple, Inc. There is an upcoming meeting with a potentially huge client and Steve Jobs asks YOU to represent Apple, Inc. at the meeting. He tells you to wear your best suit, to be clean shaven, to speak professionally and to study Apple's product so you are as knowledgeable as possible at the meeting. He tells you that there is a lot at stake at this meeting.

Despite what Steve told you, you show up to the meeting wearing shorts, t-shirt and sandals. You haven't shaven in a week. Throughout the meeting you use inappropriate language and you did not study so you are unable to explain Apple's product to the potential client.

The meeting is a complete and utter failure. The potential client is completely turned off from ever doing business with Apple, Inc. Their perception of Apple, Inc., based on what they saw in you, is terrible.

When you return to your office, Steve is furious. He has already spoken to the potential client and knows everything that happened at the meeting. He tells you how disappointed he is and fires you for not properly representing Apple, Inc. at the meeting.

We, as Christians, are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has chosen us to represent Him at the important meetings which we have every single day with people who are lost, blind and deceived. His word describes very specifically the manner in which we, as His representatives, are to conduct ourselves. We are to live in such a way that makes us separate from the world, so that when we speak to someone, they will see that Jesus is not only our Savior, but also our Lord. When we fail to live in such a manner, we are not only disobeying, but also misrepresenting God. If we truly love Him, then this should never be the case. Jesus made that perfectly clear in John 14:21.

I write this as an encouragement to myself and to all who call themselves Christians to remember that we have been given the great honor to be the chosen representatives of the Lord of all creation. We must be in His word constantly to make sure that we are living lives that honor Him and also so we can be as knowledgeable as possible for our daily meetings with the lost.

We are his chosen representatives.

Scripture References:
Psalm 86:12
Matthew 5:16
Matthew 15:7-8
1 Corinthians 6:20
1 Peter 2:12