Be Known For What You’re For

 

From the blog 5 Things Our Generation Should Strive Towards.

I agree with that kasi if we Christians will be like those other beliefs/religions na sobra kung magpersecute ng ibang beliefs, wala rin tayong pinagkaiba sa kanila. Kumbaga, instead of focusing dun sa pagdisagree naten sa ibang beliefs for example, let us just be more focused and passionate kay Jesus. Kumbaga di ba sabi nga we are called not to blend in but to stand out and if all the people are doing the same thing, bashing the same people, we take a different route showing God’s love towards others and focusing kay Jesus.

–Paolo Nico Diomampo

 

 “I was only looking at my own list of ‘These are the right things to do’ and not realizing that arguing with her would not make her closer to God but see me as her enemy and avoid me. Yes, I can be successful for letting her know me for the things I’m against, but not with the things I am for. Therefore, I am not helping her to see God, but rather leading her to my own principles. Principles that let me see myself far way better than her.”

–Yhe Dorado shared her realizations from a conversation with a friend

That part from Do Hard Thing’s Blog really checked my heart. Minsan dahil alam ko na ang truth na galing kay God and His Word, kapag nakakakita ako ng tao na gumagawa or nabubuhay against sa alam ko, it’s easy for me to say “ay mali yang ginagawa nya, eto kaya yung tama…” o kaya “hindi ako sang-ayon o pabor sa ganyan…” Wala namang mali sabihin o lumayo sa mga bagay na hindi para sa atin pero kung palagi tayong ganun, baka hindi na makita ng mundo yung pagmamahal.

I remember, when God called me into a relationship with Him, I got attracted and moved because of His love and faithfulness. Nung naranasan ko yung love na yun at nalaman ko yung standards Niya through the Bible, that’s also the moment kung kelan ko nalaman na I am standing against it. I am reminded na hindi corrections, rebukes and sarili nating paniniwala yung unang kelangang malaman ng mga wala pa kay Jesus but love. Love ni Jesus. Character. Character that reflects who Jesus is.

Is this a call to please them? No. This is a call to please and honor God.

Katulad nga ng mga sinasabi ng pastors sa church kung may magtatanong man kung kasalanan ba ang homosexuality or same sex relationship, sa halip na sagutin to ng “Yes” or “No”, mas magandang sagutin ‘to ng “God created man and woman.” And let that person find the answer by himself through God’s Word. Sabi nga ng Coaching Group Leader ko, “Let the Word of God offend them, not your words.”

Sa halip na ipaalam natin na against tayo sa isang pangyayari, tao o pelikula, bakit hindi tayo magfocus sa kung saan tayo nakatayo? We can stand for love, peace, justice and purity without putting down the things that we are against. We will all be remembered. Mamaya makita at maalala na ng ibang tao na “Ay yang mga followers ni Jesus, against yan sa _______ kesa “Yang mga followers ni Jesus, nagsstand for _________ yan.”

“At the end of the day, you will realize that it feels better that people remembers you about the things you are for and not about the things you are against. Remember that we are called to be disciples of Jesus, not activists against the beliefs of others.”’

-Yhe Dorado

Hindi tayo aktibista. Tayo ay disciples. Tayo ay example and reflection. When you hear the name Jesus, what comes to your mind? For me, it’s Love. Faithfulness. Peace. Joy. Holy. Etc.. And like how we see Jesus, it’s really great to reflect who He is in our lives. Sama sama tayo dito. By just saying this doesn’t mean that I am already okay with this. Halos lahat tayo naranasan o nagawa natin ‘to ng ilang beses sa buhay natin. Pero at the end of the day, it’s still the grace of God that will enable us to be the people that He wants us to be, it’s His grace that will make us to be the salt and light of this world by sharing love and kindness to other people.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

-1 Peter 3:15

“Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

-Philippians 4:5