Sheep in Wolves Clothing
Posted On: March 25, 2011
Jesus directly addresses the sensitive issue of hypocrisy during His ministry. He commented multiple times on the hypocritical and religious rituals lead by the Pharisees. Hypocrisy in the church ignited the fire to Jesus’ righteous anger:
“In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" Matthew 21:12
But, Jesus addressed only the sinful, hypocritical Pharisees in the Bible….so where do we fit in?
Sadly, the world sees the modern-day, faith-professing Christian as living hypocritical lives possibly more than any other religion.
Of course, it is no accident that Christianity is the recipient of direct attack; we face a very talented enemy out to “kill, steal and destroy.” However, as Christians we hold a responsibility to shine our lights as holy and pleasing sacrifices to the Lord. Are we doing our job?
After some research, some common beliefs about Christians are as followed:
1. Jesus said to love their enemy, yet they gossip and cheat against one another in their own church communities.
2. Christians only help those who are Christians or converts to their faith.
3. Despite God loving everyone and Jesus eating with the poor, Christians seem to avoid or neglect the unsaved because their uncomfortable with sharing their faith in a loving, humble way.
4. Jesus forgave everyone, while many Christians live in bitterness.
5. They say their faith provides unspeakable joy and unwavering faith; yet, they stress and worry about finances and other daily issues.
Though this list seems dogmatic and maybe even stereotypical, we must recognize we are ambassadors of our faith. Christianity does not exempt us from mistakes, but it does place us in a position to avoid stagnation. We must continually seek spiritual growth. Through the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to live out our faith on a daily basis. As believers, we should seek to implement our faith in every aspect of ours lives. The more we see Christianity as a faith-based, selfless relationship, the more our hypocrisy label will begin to fade. We need to be believers that truly own our faith, representing Christ in a way that is worthy of His sacrifice.
Has hypocrisy ever turned you from the Christian faith? In what ways can believers step in and change how the world views Christianity?
Have a Friend Who is Struggling?
Posted On: March 15, 2011
“For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted to every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” Hebrews 4:15
Human’s love feeling understood by their friends and family. When we go through hard times, it seems nothing is more comforting than a simple, “I understand.” Sometimes, as friends, we may not have a clue as to what our friend in need wants to hear. That is okay! We can simply comfort them by providing a listening ear, reading a relevant scripture, or offering prayer immediately and throughout their time of hurt.
Our words can soothe a friend’s bad day, and bless others and uplift their spirits. As a trusted friend, we have the ability to carry each others burdens.
Furthermore, Christ is a perfect example of a selfless friend; He willingly and readily longs for us to lay our burdens at His feet, and let Him lift our pain. He fully understands the challenges each of us face daily. He has been tempted and experienced the same emotions we face.
If we submit out problems to Him, we can go through our situation knowing Christ will help us through it. The challenge is to humble ourselves, and allow our friends, family and most of all Christ to help us carry our burdens. This way, we can recognize our need for Christ and the people He placed in our lives; and ultimately, we will have a testimony of Christ’s sacrificial love for us!
Serving: Easy as trying!
Posted On: March 02, 2011
It is a daily challenge to think outside of our own personal world. With the clutter of life, often times it seems overwhelming to take care of ourselves, let alone provide for someone else. However, Christians are called to a purpose outside of our own lives. We are Christ’s ambassadors, here on earth as instruments ready to be used for God at any moment. This may feel like a huge task, but there is hope!
Christ lived a servant’s life, providing us the perfect example of humility and selflessness. Possibly the most heart-warming example of his servant’s heart was the night of the Last Supper.
“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” John 13:12-16
At the Last Supper with His disciples, Christ knew He was facing the cross in a few hours. As a human, He faced the same emotions and fleshly temptations we face every day. However, instead of basking in the fear of death, Christ performed one of His most humble acts of service—washing the disciples feet. This was Christ’s final chance to drive His point home. Symbolically, this act of service shows us God’s heart for His children. He longs to cleanse us, and to wash us in His love and mercy.
By God’s grace and strength, we can seek to fulfill acts of kindness toward others. Ask God to show you ways on a daily basis to serve others before yourself. It will stretch you and cost you time, money, resources, and energy. However, you will not have to do it on your own strength. God promises to provide for you every step of the way!
In the Family
Posted On: February 02, 2011
When I was a young girl, there were some words I couldn’t say. One of those words was “pregnant.” My mother would have fainted if she had heard that word come off my lips: it was taboo. Instead of saying “Aunt Bonnie is pregnant,” we could say, “Aunt Bonnie is in the family way.” As I got older I thought that was a neat way of describing the biological event of having a baby, “in the family way.”
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.-- Hebrews 10:16-22
Now that we have accepted Christ, we are in the “family way.” The new and living way!
Have you noticed that no matter what the circumstances that begin a pregnancy, when the baby was born, it immediately becomes part of the family? Almost immediately, it is difficult to imagine life without the new little one. I vividly remember answering the phone 42 years ago and on the other end Uncle Jack said, “Bonnie just delivered a baby girl and her name is Ginny.” Oh how our family rejoiced over that beautiful baby girl.
I also remember just four years ago when a dear friends daughter delivered a baby girl out of wedlock. While prior to the delivery there was much pain and hurt over how the baby was conceived, once she was born it didn’t really matter. Now the beautiful girl was here, and she was a part of the family!
It is this way with Jesus too! Whatever circumstances or struggles may have been a part of your past before accepting Christ, when you are born again you are in the Jesus Way, the family way. Once you decide to follow the Jesus Way, it is difficult to imagine life without the Holy One.
