My Language: Thoughts from Josh Brown of Day of Fire

Written by Josh Brown
February 2007 devotional for HM Magazine.com

A light of the world

A man of God once told me, “Christianity causes division, but Jesus brings life.” At the time I didn’t know how to take that statement, but I have great respect for this man, so I let his words settle in my mind. That was over a year ago, and to this day, those words echo loudly in my brain. Through circumstances in life, confirmation and direction from Godly men, reading scripture and prayer, and lots of deep thought, I have gained some understanding of this statement.

I believe that to be a light of the world, we must share the love of Jesus through our actions first. I feel that most people in America have heard about Christianity, they just haven't seen the love of Jesus in the actions of God's people. We must realize that people who have never experienced this love see Christianity as just another system of the world, and they “ain’t buyin’ into it.”

Many have already been hurt and condemned by people who call themselves Christians. A lot of times the actions of mainstream Christianity do not line up with the example of Jesus Christ in the scriptures. Think about this: When you talk about Christianity to homosexuals, they may tend to think of the people picketing their events or holding up signs condemning them to hell. When you talk about Christianity to a Jewish or Muslim person, they may tend to think of the old crusades where Jews and Muslims were forced to accept Christ or face torture and sometimes even death. When you talk about Christianity to the average American unbeliever on the street, they may tend to think of the many famous televangelists and evangelical leaders who have been busted for money-laundering or sex scandals. I wonder what a Muslim in Iraq thinks of Christianity.

We must face the cold, hard fact that some of those who have come before us have tarnished the name of our religion. As followers of Jesus, we should be putting our energy into advancing the Kingdom of God, instead of trying to grow our own man-made religious system. We must remember that Jesus loves those who hate Him. He reached out with love to His enemies instead of condemning them to hell. Instead of punishing us for our sin, He took our punishment upon himself. The world may have turned away from our system of Christianity, but it cannot turn away from the love of Jesus when it is shown by the actions of His people.

Think of what kind of world this would be if everyone who professed to know Christ turned the other cheek when an adversary hit them in the face. What would it look like if we gave a drink of water to those who wrongfully accuse us? What if we tried loving our neighbor as we love ourselves? We should worry less about trying to please mainstream Christianity, and more about loving the people that Jesus died for.

Food for thought:

1. Christ’s Kingdom is not advanced by clever talk or machine gun (1 Cor. 2:4-5, Matt. 5:44, Matt. 26:52-53, Eph. 6:12).

2. We can hope all we want, but the whole world is not just going to wake up one day and decide to start going to church on Sunday and Wednesday. If we truly want to be a light to the world, we must step beyond the walls of these white-washed coffins and beyond the rules of our man made system, and spread the gospel through good old inconvenient love, the way Jesus did it (Matt. 5:14-16, Matt.28:19, John 3:16-17).

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Josh Brown is the lead-singer of GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning rock band, Day of Fire. dayoffire.com
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Previous devotionals:
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©2007 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved

Comments

By Chris

I love this, and what it says is true. I thank God For Josh, He's an encouragment to me with my walk with Jesus, and I love the music.

By Arkanis

Amen

By Paull

I'm so glad that someone took the time to share the love of Jesus with me. I pray that I never forget that when I see a hurting, empty, lost soul...

Keep Rockin Josh and take care of your hearing. "Remember the grandchildren"

Paul <><
The Attic "Dayton Ohio"

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