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EMPOWERING LIVES THROUGH CHRIST
Christian Empower
What Would Jesus Do?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Not Lie
Not even to protect someone’s feelings or to get out of trouble no matter how light or severe. Lying can cause unforeseen consequences so the old saying ‘honesty is the best policy’ is not a cliche but is morally vital. “A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully” (Proverbs 13:5 AMP).
Not Steal
Not even to rob the rich and give to the poor. Two wrongs never make a right. Stealing in general is an evil action that not only robs the person you steal from, but robs yourself of being righteous. “Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:10 AMP).
Not Murder
Which includes an abortion no matter if there is a heartbeat or a collection of embryonic stem cells in the embryo, there is still life. Without those living cells, the gestation of a child cannot be achieved. How can a baby be formed from something that is dead? It’s best not to partake in activities or be in situations that may lead to fornication. This is one of the reasons God wants us to abstain until marriage. If one doesn’t need an abortion due to a medical reason or rape, than an abortion is an "elective" procedure. In other words, it is then not a need but a want. Therefore, it is murder. God already knows every child before conception and has plans for that child. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5 AMP). Abortion impedes God’s plan for that child. Even with rape, the woman should pray to God for wisdom and direction. Such decision cannot be made with emotion and haste. God can use unfortunate events to bring upon good. Who knows, the child that the mother wanted aborted, may turn out to safe the mother’s life in the future. God does work in mysterious ways. There are consequences for our actions. “But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8 AMP).
Not Discriminate
God created everyone as equals. “But the one who habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in [spiritual] darkness and is walking in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11 AMP). No one is above another because God is not a respecter of persons. We are all children of God no matter our beliefs. Sinners are still children of God and Jesus wouldn’t demean, condemn, or be rude to anyone. Only God knows our heart and the greatest of sinners can become the greatest people of God. Saul, who killed scores of Christians, became Apostle Paul, converting multitudes to Christianity through God. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 AMP).
Will Forgive
Unforgiveness erodes our happiness and relationships and also instills a battery of sins. Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgiveness allows us not to dwell on what that person did to us. Forgetting is foolish as it will open the door for that person to do what they did to you again. Forgiveness absolves that person from what they did in our minds and frees us from the heartache and misery that will breed hate, and allows us to move forward with our lives. If one is consumed with hate, how can one operate in love toward one another? “For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14 AMP). “Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]” (Luke 6:37 AMP).
Not Gossip
Gossiping is bad because it is not rooted in meaningful talk. Lies, insults, and a judgemental heart are usually associated with gossiping. “Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]” (Ephesians 4:29 AMP).
Not Assume
One should not hastily react without analyzing all the information that is available. Such a thing will result in anger and dissent that leads to sin. “[19] Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; [20] for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. [21] So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. [23] For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. [25] But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]” (James 1:19-25 AMP).
Not Act Without God
It is important to pray to God and ask for wisdom and what to do. You should only make a decision after you have peace about what to do. God will put it on your heart on what He wants you to do. This is not limited to big matters, but little matters as well. Little things can make the most impact in life. Just because you deem it as small and insignificant, doesn’t mean it can’t have a profound impact in you life. “The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]” (Lamentations 3:25 AMP). “[9] So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10 AMP). God will answer the one who seeks Him on His time alone. Waiting confidently on Him, for His response to you will be at the right and most advantageous time for you, but it will not be at your own time. He may also deny your request, if your request will not be beneficial for you. He knows what you truly need, which can go against what you want.
Not Disobey
One should obey all rules and laws in the world except if they infringe on God’s laws. Obey federal and state laws, obey the company’s rules, and obey conventional rules such as depositing the shopping cart to the cart corrals. “Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's'” (Mark 12:17 ESV).
Not Judge
Unbelievers
Christians should never ever judge unbelievers because they know not. They do not know the true greatness of God. They have not felt the majesty of God’s grace. However, Christians have. Therefore, Christians should judge other Christians but not in a self-righteous way. We are judging them according to God’s law. This kind of judging is through a caring heart, to help our fellow brethrens become better in Christ. Willful sin should never be tolerated. “[11] But actually, I have written to you not to associate with any so-called [Christian] brother if he is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater [devoted to anything that takes the place of God], or is a reviler [who insults or slanders or otherwise verbally abuses others], or is a drunkard or a swindler—you must not so much as eat with such a person. [12] For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? [13] God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside [the faith]. Remove the wicked one from among you [expel him from your church]” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13 AMP).
For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.