Luke 11:38-40 (Amplified Bible)
38 The Pharisee noticed and was astonished [to see] that Jesus did not first wash before dinner.
39 But the Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you yourselves are full of greed and robbery and extortion and malice and wickedness.
40 You senseless (foolish, stupid) ones [acting without reflection or intelligence]! Did not He Who made the outside make the inside also?
I was astonished yesterday yet again by Christian-ike actions coming from someone who doesn't know Jesus. I'm not so astonished that this person would be so giving and Christ-like but that it makes me recall many who call themselves Christians but then do things that make you wonder. Being Christ-like is above all things loving people... not loving them when they do things right, but loving them no matter what.
This man took a day off to go and rescue someone in need who had turned his back on he and his business for cheaper labor over the last few years. When an emergency popped up and the discount places wouldn't come until the following day, he called my friend who could have told him to jump in a lake... but instead took his Sunday and went and fixed this man and his family. At the risk of being used, he extended grace... and he doesn't know the Lord. There is a lot of that going on outside the church and it's sometimes putting us to shame. The church should be leading at all times in such ways... but it doesn't always do that.
It's no wonder the world tends to hate Christians. They see right through our hypocritical ways most times. We in the church often times do just what Jesus was preaching against here. Rules, rules and more rules. That is the way to Heaven. Just keep all the rules intact, while we secretly point out in our hearts those who are not following the rules. Remember this one thing... write this down so you won't ever forget it. Dogs bark, Cats meow and Sinners sin. So why are we surprised when people sin and worse, sin against us. We should be surprised when we see Christians sin much more than those who don't go by that moniker.
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].
I exhort you all today to follow the lead of the One who gave His life willingly for yours, love people where they are and not because of whether or not they deserve it. The world notices that... believe me they do.
Here's an exersize for your heart today... First sit in a quiet location without any interuptions... no cell phones!. Secondly just picture Jesus beside you, in front of you or just look for His face in your mind. Then ask Him this one simple question... Jesus, What's in my heart today?. Then wait to hear the first thing that pops into your mind or the first emotion to wash over you. If you followed all these steps you will hear His voice and He'll tell you. It's a dangerous question if you really don't want to know or change it. It will lead you to repentance if there is anything other than Faith, Hope or Love in there. If you got either Faith, Hope or Love congratulations your heart is right and you are righteous in His shadow. If it's anything else... anger, frustration, fear, anxiousness, offense, judgement, etc... just stay where you are and ask Him to help you change it... I guarantee that He will. Then and only then you will have a clean inside of your cup to go along with the shiny exterior we tend to show others.
Let me know how it works for you. I really want to hear.
Comments(4)