I spent most of the day catching up on my Bible reading…I have fallen behind and want to get back in step, if you know what I mean.
Reading in the book of Luke, Chapter 12 you come across a Jesus who, is very forward and is speaking with force…
He says some things in this chapter that forced me to sit up and take notice. I could almost hear his voice, warning us, pleading us.
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”
He goes on to say how everything done in secret will be broadcasted in the day light. At one time everything will be exposed!
Now I don’t know about you, that make me just a ‘wee bit’ nervous. In fact in reality it makes me real nervous. What it boils down too is what the text says…stay away from hypocrisy. We cannot tell other not to sin, when we are living in it like pigs in the mud. We have to clean up ourselves, we need to seek holiness ourselves before we point out others peoples faults. I think the biggest item here is our attitude; we have to understand where we stand…a sinner saved by grace…before we point out someone’s sin. Here is where many have a misunderstanding…we are to confront and tell others of their sin. But it should be done from a position of love and humility. It is when we take the position of ‘righteous superiority’ we will fail to help the one we love. Remember confronting sin is an act of love…Confronting destructive behavior is what we are doing. I have people in my life, who job is to let me know when I’m in the wrong…I encourage it.
The other warning was “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”
To think this was a problem in Jesus’ day…a time before boats, cars and big screen T.V’s. But I suppose they had boats, carts and donkey’s…the thought here is greed…greed can take so many forms. Greed supplants the place of God, you place an object over God. You can also place objects and possessions ahead of family members. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…What do you treasure in your life…stop and take inventory…because what you see as treasure, is where your hearts desire will be. So do you treasure God? Do you treasure time spent with Him? Do you treasure reading the Bible, fellowship, church? Do you treasure spending time with family…one of the greatest gifts we have is time…and it is where we can be the greediest…
Stop and think about ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘greed’…read chapter 12 of Luke.
-ps
1 comment:
Sometimes what I see so ugly in others is so ugly in me. And I find myself quick to point an accusing finger. I so needed to see myself for who I truly am, a sinner period. It has not been easy to lay down my rights, my guard, and defense-especially when I think Im right. I always remember my mother saying, "Just wait till your father gets home." Well, as christians what will our Father find us doing? I agree Pastor Steve, we truly need to confess our sins and seek holiness ourselves before we point out the sins in others. Thanks for sharing.
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