Christian Diplomacy

Technology is a marvelous thing.

It has allowed me to connect with an ever widening array of people from different parts of the world.

One of its benefits that I have enjoyed the most is connecting with people who have the same interests that I have.

In fact, I have made many friends who enjoy the same hobby that I enjoy.

Most of them I will never have the pleasure of meeting face to face in this world.

One of the things I never hide in my interactions is the fact that I am a Christian.

My faith is an important part of who I am and I certainly do not mind sharing that fact with anyone.

In fact, I share both this blog and another to which I contribute on various social media.

I invite my connections to read them.

I do not know how many or how few actually take the time to do so.

I am aware that, among those who do not profess to be Christians, relatively few will take the time to read them.

The next logical question is: Why do it in the first place?

My answer would have to be twofold.

First - I felt His leading me to do it and that in and of itself is sufficient.

Second - If the total effort makes a difference in just one person’s life, it will have all been completely worth it.

That said, a new friend recently posted something online about two new "Christian" acquaintances he made.

I was one and the other was kept anonymous.

The comments about me were very complimentary and I will not share them here so as not to appear conceited.

The comments about the other were far from complimentary.

It made me wonder, "How can two Christians who worship the same Christ be seen by the same individual in such a different light?"

Based on the comment I suspect it is in our approach.

As for my approach, I remind myself of what the Bible has to say about me.

Romans 3:23 (NET) - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The last time I checked, I am still very much a part of all.

I also recognize that I am a work in progress and will continue to be one as long as I draw breath.

Luke 6:41 (NET) - Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?

I must recognize that I am not perfect but am in the process of being perfected.

Jesus reminds us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and warns us not to pass judgment on others.

We are citizens of Heaven.

Philippians 3:20 (NET) - But our citizenship is in Heaven - and we also await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Christians are citizens of Heaven, it then follows that we are to be His ambassadors here in this world.

We are not to claim diplomatic immunity in our day to day affairs.

Rather, we are to use the gifts God has so generously given us in order to make a difference.

By and large that means making a difference one person at a time.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 20,, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.