a reflection on Luke 10:25-37 (October 8, 2018)
I love coffee. What’s a day like without coffee?
I don’t like cats. No offense to my cat lover friends but I’m allergic to them. But this post is not about cats or coffee. It’s about being a Christian. Huh? Ang layo naman.
This post is about being a copycat of Jesus. But similar my “KAPE-CAT” definition, we love it yet we don’t like it.
Most of us love it when we are called Christians. We don’t mind it when people call us “Saint (insert your name here)”. We wear statement shirts with "John 3:16", "Jeremiah 29:11" or Steph Curry’s favorite “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). We have a Bible app in our phones. We don’t mind the label or tag that we are Christians.
However, we don’t like the requirement that goes with the title. Jesus said that as Christians we should,
- "love your enemies" (Luke 6:27)
- "sell what you have and give to the poor" (Matthew 19:21)
- "take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24)
Ang hirap naman. Di ba pwedeng, “wear a shirt with a bible verse and follow me” na lang?
Well, I don’t think so.
A Christian is a follower of the Christ. The definition is simple but the required action is difficult. Jesus says "Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37b).
What does HE mean by “Go"?
- “Go” requires your personal “YES”. You cannot approach a friend and say “can you be a Christian in my behalf?” Walang pong “proxy" pagdating sa pagiging Kristiyano. A Christian should accept God with full personal conviction. We are called to love God in a personal way because that is how HE loves us. That’s what a relationship is all about.
- “Go” means you have move from one point to another. It is an active word. It should not end with praying for someone. It means going beyond what is comfortable for us. It means loving the un-loveable. It means sharing the Good News to those we perceived as “bad”. Will it be difficult? YES. Will it be worth it? YES. So go for it! Live out the Christian life no matter how difficult it can become.
- “Go” means to be habitually in a certain state. We should be Christians all the time, every time. We don’t wear our halos during Sunday & then keep in hidden in the locker for the rest of the week. We all are God’s living billboards. We project to others how God loves. We show to everyone how God cares for those in need. We forgive like God no matter how much hurt we experienced. We are called to be Christians 24/7.
- “Go” means to arrive at a certain state. What is the state? That we should become a replica of Jesus. Always aim to be a saint. What? Me, a saint? Sigurado ba si Lord? I can relate to this 100%. There are moments in my life when I asked God the same questions. God's reply is the always same - “Don’t worry. I am in the business of turning garbage into gold.” Read the bible, see the type of people that God used & you will see what God means.
Now, what does Jesus mean by “do likewise”?
Don’t be a "kape-cat”. Don’t be someone who loves certain parts of Christianity but avoids the difficult parts. Be a copycat of Jesus. Listen to HIM, follow HIM & work out your life to be like HIM. Give Jesus your all. Kung may isang bagay na dapat GO na GO ka sa buhay na ito, wala ng iba yan kung hindi si Kristo.
May this post inspire you to be a saint. Share it others that they may also be live a life for God. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com
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