THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND I THOUGHT IT NEEDED TO BE READ OF MANY PEOPLE.  I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT.

                                 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CHRIST LIKE?

In one word, I believe, HUMBLE!  We try to live a good life, and we know when we give our lives to the Lord. We are commanded to be Christ like, to live in righteousness, and to be holy! 

Even though, the most of us fail at that miserably!  I know I do!  We get a sense that because we feel we are good people, that is enough!  But is it?

Let me ask you a few questions:
1. When you come across a homeless person, do you actually stop to help?  Or, do you just pretend not to see the person in need, and just keep going?
2. Nursing homes are full of old people that, many have been placed there and forgotten.  Have you ever visited a nursing home, just to get to know a resident or two?
3. Do you know your neighbors name?  And do you reach out, to get to know them, pray for them, help them if needed?
4. Do you really hate anyone?  Maybe even a family member?
5. Do you really pray for people when you say you will?  Or is it just lip service?

My point in these questions is this......as Christians, we are to humble ourselves before God, follow His commandments, and to love our neighbors, our brothers and sisters!  We are to always forgive those that transgress against us, truly forgive in our hearts!  It doesn't mean you have to stay in a bad situation, but it does mean, we are to love our enemies!  To kill them with kindness, so to speak! To forgive, but really forgive those that offend us!  Then you can move on!

We are to be meek and mild, loving, tenderhearted and kind!  Hard to do?  Oh yes!  I know a lady personally, that gives thousands of dollars to charities, and if she really likes you, will do many things for you!  Problem is, she is a mean spirited lady, and treats most people terribly!  So, she gives lots of money, because she is wealthy, but treats most people as though they are beneath her!  I hate to tell her, and I have, that giving money doesn't necessarily make you a good person!

I have been a born again believer now for 53 years, and went through life with the attitude, that believing and accepting Christ was good enough!  But, Jesus commanded that we love each other as we love ourselves!  To love our wives, as Jesus loves the church!  The two biggest commandments are to love God with all your heart, your soul, and mind....and to love one another!  Wow!  Have we failed at that as a society?  God quickly forgives, and is long suffering.....unfortunately, the most of us cannot say that!  We even have road rage sometimes when people pull out in front of us, and we probably use some unfiltered language at that time!

No one is perfect!  I certainly am far from that, but, when we need God in times of distress, we humble ourselves before God!  Many don't even go to God for help, because our own arrogance, won't allow it!  But, do we humble ourselves with each other?  Are we kind to strangers, or feed the hungry?  Do we see a widow lady that is alone, and ask if we can help her?  Or a child that may be hurting, or feeling bad about life?  Do we share the gospel when the opportunity arises?  Jesus said, when you do for the least of these, you do for me!  That is being Christ like, by humbling yourself, to live a holy life, a Christian life, and be kind and tenderhearted to one another!  Life is hard, but, look around you today, in your home, how do you treat each other?  Look at our country, as it has never been so segmented and divided!  And the world, country against country, religion against religion!  Faith, my friend is not about religion!  Not at all! It is believing in our Savior Jesus Christ, and accepting the free gift of salvation, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! 

I believe we have lost so much, because of our turning from God, as a people, as a nation, and as individuals!  We have lost, how to be Christ like! 

IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND!

I believe it is past time for the United States of America, to do just that! 

God bless, and be humble!