What is the purpose of a Christian in this world?

Dearest Ones,

What is the purpose of a Christian in this world? To do good? To treat others as you would have them treat you? To tell others about Jesus? All of these are true but to be more general, our purpose is to be like Jesus. That is why Christians are in this world. Jesus spent His time while on earth teaching others to be like Him.

Imagine yourself listening to Jesus teaching His apostles, His first followers, to be like Him. What did He say? How was He going to get them to believe Him and convince them that He was God. How could He teach them to be like God? They were ordinary men, just like us - imperfect. It must have seemed impossible to be like Jesus, and yet, that is what it means to be a Christian. It's the same for you and me as it was for them.

Jesus must have started out by telling them they must imitate Him because some day He would be leaving them and in His absence they were responsible to lead others to heaven. They would take His place. He didn't force anyone to follow Him. He always left the choice to them - they had to be willing followers. He told them they needed to be constantly on the lookout for lost souls. Some people have souls that are already dead inside of them, while their bodies are still living. They are walking around with dead souls and don't even know it. This can lead to fear and even suicide. They must be rescued.

He told them the importance of being honest. We all know fake politicians, who will call everyone "friend", but they don't really care about them at all. You can't deceive God. He reads our hearts. He told them to be humble, gentle and patient and said if our eyes caused us to sin, it would be better to be blind.

Be truthful, He said, for I am the Truth. Why be deceitful? God can read our thoughts, anyway. We're not fooling Him. Nobody trusts a liar. Satan will offer you honor, success, power or wealth, in exchange for your soul. God gives you what is necessary, He will not disappoint you. He said even the birds of the air are taken care of, so He will provide for you. Be holy and you will be with God for all eternity - He must have said this over and over.

Since all are sinners, He told them to behave toward others as they would like others to act towards them - with mercy and forgiveness. Do not judge, for a bad judgment is an insult. Jesus was misjudged many times - they called him a liar, a deceiver and even a devil, so He knew what it feels like.

Forgive, always forgive, so that you may be forgiven by your heavenly Father. He never said it was going to be easy. He told them how hard it was going to be, saying, "The road to heaven is steep and narrow and few there are that find it." But, He said if you do find it, your names will be written in heaven forever.

Above all, you must love, He said. Luke 6 says: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who mistreat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you - even sinners do that. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. Rather, love you enemies and do good to them." How strange this must have seemed to His followers.

He said they must help others get to heaven by prayer and suffering, just as He did. Jesus didn't always preach and didn't always heal, but He always prayed and He always suffered. Not only for his friends, but for His enemies also. I often ask myself: Do I really want my enemies to get to heaven? Do I really want those who have been mean to me and lied about me to be there with me? Jesus died for His enemies, so I must pray and offer my sufferings for them, too.

Jesus taught us that suffering can be a prayer if it is offered for someone. The next time you have mental or physical suffering, offer it for someone you don't like. It's hard, but Jesus did it. Ask for His help.

In my mind, I imagine one of the Apostles asking, "What if we fail and we can't carry out the work you have asked us to do? Do you have a back-up plan?" "No," Jesus will reply, "I have no other plan. But you won't fail because I will be with you always - even until the end of time." God loves us so much that He actually wants to live through us - we must become "other Christs". That's what a Christian is! What a privilege is ours!

May Our Lord bless each of you always, and may you and your family finally stand before Him in heaven. How awful, if only one member didn't get there. Let us pray for each other until the fulfillment of that eternal joy for all of us. I can hardly wait!

My love and prayers,

Sister Francelle