I am a Christian

I am a Christian. I was a Christian yesterday and I will be a Christian tomorrow. I am not a part-time Christian that wants to play at being a Christian only when it is convenient for me.

There have been many times in my life as a Christian that I have not wanted to do the Christ-like right thing. Most of the time I have put my old self behind me and done what a Christian should do. Notice that I said "Most of the time."

Matthew 10: 16 Jesus said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. "(NKV) This statement made by Jesus was not just for me. (Imagine how many wolves are around Christians in prison?) This statement was made to us all all that are saved all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have seen too many people come to church on Sunday, praise and worship God only to compromise their walk (relationship with Jesus) on Monday, Tuesday, etc.The ones that have done this seem to fall hard in a short amount of time.

In prison, if one of the sheep wanders to far from the Shepherd (Jesus) the wolves devour them. I have seen this happen too many times.
All of us must stay close to the Shepherd. This world is full of wolves just waiting to devour the sheep, us.

Those that are "babies in Christ" need us older ones to keep them in the middle of the flock, surrounded for their own protection from the wolves. Those of us that are adults in Christ need to be on the outer edge of the flock protecting those within our care. We have a great responsibility to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We also need to be keenly aware of the wolves. We, as Christians need to be watchful and have our arms open wide, ready to embrace, ready to protect, always ready to show the hurt and hurting the way to Jesus Christ.

Too many Christians are closet Christians. We need to stand on faith and the promises of God and truly serve him. Jesus told us that he will send us out among the wolves. That we are to be wise as serpents. Wise as serpents! Always on the alert, always looking for an opportunity to embrace one of the hurting among the wolves and show them the way to Jesus.

We need to be smart Christians, aware, looking continuously for any opportunity to save the lost. We also need to be smart in protecting the flock. Protecting our own and protecting our brothers and sisters.
One of the ways we can do this is by encouraging them to attend church and Bible studies as much as possible. "My people perish for lack of knowledge." If we don't take a stand at the edge of the flock who will? Our Shepherd is always there with us to help us, to protect us.

How do we do this while being "harmless as doves?" I struggle with this. It is not my nature to be gentle as a lamb or harmless as a dove. There is only one way that I can accomplish this while dealing with wolves, Jesus Christ. When I do, I have the honor of experiencing Christ through me (The Holy Spirit) can touch lives, heal hearts, see the lost, hurt and desperate come to Jesus for a life renewed. This, of course, requires that I open my arms wide and embrace those among the wolves while also protecting my brothers and sisters within my care.

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Everyday, 24-7, let us protect our own. Christians, let us be wise as serpents around all of the wolves of this world while keeping our arms open wide for those in need. Let us always be gentle as lambs, and harmless as doves.

Bro. Danny