Think not that I am come to send peace
on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and
the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against
her mother in law.
And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:
and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of
me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not
worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his
life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:34-39
From the beginnings of the Church a true faith in the Lord has set men apart and at variance with their friends and family who were not saved. To truly follow Christ we must do as He would do. The theme is very popular now, WWJD ( what would Jesus do?), with young people wearing clothes and jewelry bearing the WWJD logo. But how many have truly taken the pledge written in Sheldon's book 'In His Steps'? If you haven't read the book i would highly recommend it. In the story people agree to ask "What would Jesus do?" and live their lives accordingly. There is at the same time a great spiritual revival among those who take the pledge and real persecution of them for their new faith in action. Very realistic. Throughout the modern Church Christians are being persecuted by friends, family, even fellow church members for trying to put their faith in action.
What is it to be Christian? It's not attending a church or even living a 'good' life. Paul wrote : "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20. We MUST ask the question "What would Jesus do?" if we are to be true to our faith. We die to ourselves and live for Christ, taking up our cross and following Him. And if we ask the question WWJD then we are bound to follow through and walk the walk.
A large number of good church going people have, like Nicodemus, yet to be Born Again. They pay their tithe, live a respectable life, sit on committees and boards, are all around upstanding citizens, pillars of the community. But they are on their way to Hell. There is no life in them because they have not yet been born of the Spirit. They may even make professions of faith or recite creeds but that is not the One Way to Heaven. Jesus told the rich man to sell all he had and follow Him, he had kept all the laws and done all the right things but he would not lay down all and follow Jesus. Paul said we are bought with a price, the ultimate price, the Blood of Jesus. We, if we are truly saved, belong to Christ; we are slaves to our wonderful Lord. We no longer live for ourselves but to serve GOD. The only example we have for serving GOD is found in Jesus, the faithful SON.
When we ask the question, WWJD, the Holy Spirit will lead us to an answer. And when we follow the Spirit's leading we will find ourselves at odds with all that are not doing the same. This may be our closest friends, our family, or even our Pastor. Many talk the talk without walking the walk. At the same time we will also find ourselves coming in tune with Christians everywhere. This is because there is One Body and one Spirit. There is no division in the Body of Christ. When we are walking with Jesus we are walking alongside every Christian that ever walked, and we are all following the same Shepherd.
If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior i pray that you will ask Him into your heart. You might say "it's too hard, I can't be perfect like Jesus." He doesn't expect you to be perfect. That's why He died for you. If you could be perfect you wouldn't need a Savior. GOD loves you and he gave His Son on the cross as payment for your sin. All you have to do is love Him back and turn over your life to Him. If you have already asked Jesus into your life then look at your life and ask the question "What would Jesus do?" then follow Him with all your heart. Give it a try. You'll never go back to your old life.