One of the things that starts to root itself in our hearts as we live lives as followers of Jesus is, who we are and what we are. It is very telling for a person to discuss their relationship to Christ. They will tell you they love Him and tell you what He has done for them, yet at some point in the discussion we all have this disconnect. This point in the identity that says...um, Im not there yet. Or, without actually saying the words they discuss a particular thing that clearly shows where they are at in their relationship to Christ. Because we are humans, or as the bible calls us flesh, we will continue to battle through certain things. All the more reason why we need a Savior. One area we can all identify with is sin. As we start to get ourselves cleaned up, in many cases we do not sin to the measure or magnitude we once did, but that does not diminish the fact that we still sin. For example, if before you knew Christ, you constantly burned with lust for other people and other peoples things. As Christ has begun to establish Himself in your life, it has become clear those things are not good for you and thus you avoid even the things that tempt you into that area. However, there are still several areas of your life that while not as harsh as lust, still do not convey purity and are still defined by our Lord as sin. Lets use little white lies as an example. These partial truths or non-truths are somewhat harmless, wouldnt you say? Yet they are still deceitful at times and when it comes to deceit that is still sin. Most would advise, not to say anything at all. The fact of the matter is, we just forget who we are and just as easily how little moral ground there is to stand on. What happens to all of us, myself included is this position of moral deity we begin to proclaim. Most of the time this is an unconscious thought that just exists in us and rarely ever rears its ugly head, but it is absolutely there. Just our mere expressions sometimes indicate what is going on inside of us. Our intolerance of certain things, our disgust at others, even our lack of patience can be clearly seen in our manner. So it breaks down like this. We are becoming Christ-like and there is this holiness we not only want to live in, but project as well. So we become indignant to many things and yet if our thought life we are on display who could handle the scrutiny that would come with it? Whats more, that moral high ground we were standing on, just made us look far worse. The nose we thumb at certain peoples inequity and the disgust we display where other people are not quite there yet, looks like this... 16 And the scribes of[a] the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat[b] with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:16 & 17 ESV) ...which almost directly leads to this... 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:24 & 25 ESV) Our brothers and sisters fall and struggle with so much. Our only obligation is to be of help to them. What we must do, is relate to their struggles. Ours may not be as big or as public as theirs, but it is a struggle nonetheless. What is it Jesus said on this matter? 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. 39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brothers eye. (Luke 6:37-42 ESV) We are a destructive group. When what we should be doing is teaming up. It is hard enough battling the enemy with his tricks and conniving ways. Why do we make it that much harder when we are on the same team? We are literally assisting the enemy in his cause. Ridiculous? You better believe it. But we do it, everyday. We have no ground to stand on and the very ground we think we stand on is not even something that we should take pride in, for getting there was His work in us. For in just elevating our thoughts to disgust or disdain is prideful and sinful and completely implodes that which we even thought existed. You and I know where this is going and we must embrace humility and remind ourselves that it is Christ and Christ alone that forgives and any measure of deity we think we have or deserve must be considered an enemy to the cause. We look at things like state of the church and I for one have difficulty with it, but it is not judgement I lay on it, nor do I get disgusted by it. I simply identify it for you and I and turn that into motivation to help. To say; disciple the church-goer, love those that are trying to live in the world and want to call themselves Christian. Jesus, keep us humble and build in us the desire to serve your sheep. He truly loves us...
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:18:22 +0000
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