It’s been a long time. Sorry for the wait. Here’s a quick snack to chew on…
Try not to take too much comfort in the statement, “I’m a work in progress”. We all have that one thing or those things in our lives or in our character that can keep us from fully being pleasing to God. Take those things seriously.
We like to say, “I’m only human”; however, Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. His commands are not burdensome. This means He wouldn’t expect something from us that He didn’t think we couldn’t do. He also said no temptation is out of the ordinary for the common man… paraphrasing… What I’m saying is we can all come out of ANY sinful state and truly repent, that is, turn away and walk completely the OPPOSITE direction of your sin. You just…WE just have to TURN AROUND and WALK AWAY. It comes down to how bad you want it — MORE IMPORTANTLY, it comes down to how strong your faith is.
If we are truly to believe that our God is alive and loves us and watches over us and heaven is a REAL and TANGIBLE reward, you will successfully make the choice to eliminate that sin from your life and do it quickly. THAT is definitely a work in progress. Endeavor to keep building your FAITH. Faith drives EVERYTHING. But don’t rest on your, “God knows my heart” and “I’m only human”.
It’s only a matter of time before that simply becomes less of a challenge and more of an excuse to keep going on as you are, thus costing you eternal life.
#TalkingToMe
But on the music side of things, here’s my go to record these days… IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK!
http://bible.com/1/rom.3.3-4.kjvFor what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Bible.com/app
I’m sure everybody has in some way spoke on this topic. The topic of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is when one professes one thing and does another. By virtue of this very situation, you’ve heard someone say how they’ve either denounced Christianity or denounced God altogether because they experienced something that completely contradicted what this religious person or group stood for. Just watch the news for various examples. Or perhaps you are that person affected by hypocrisy. Many times these experiences are quite traumatic and the results are spiritually tragic.
I want to look at two points on this discussion.
I understand that whatever you went through was horrible. Furthermore the very fact that this was done by people who claim to be godly compounds the hurt even more. It shouldn’t happen because they are believers in God! How could they?! The nerve!
But let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Hypocrisy can be an excuse when we forget that humans are in this world. God is perfect. God’s law is perfect. As pointed out in the above scripture, does a few humans that fail to uphold God’s law and fail to serve Him correctly diminish His power? Does it remove His existence? Does it absolve you of any responsibility to serve Him? I would say no.
Therefore the question I would ask is do you truly think that a few evil acting Christians mean all Christians are evil? Secondly, does one evil Christian make God evil? Do you honestly believe that?
Of course not!
If you saw somebody fail to follow the Weight Watchers system and stay overweight, would you simply write off the system as a successful way to lose weight? If an employee breaks a rule in the office, does this make you less obligated to follow the rules? Would you be justified by your boss? Probably not. We use this logic in racial stereotypes and is this any less illogical?
So then when does hypocrisy become simply an excuse rather than a logical and valid reason to reject the Lord?
The second point I’d like to make is that those who have named the name of Jesus are charged with the task of maintaining the reputation of the church through their actions. Realizing the effect of living hypocritically, we must strive to trust and obey. God will judge you for helping to mislead one away from the Lord.
Consider… Romans 2:21-24 ASV
thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples? thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written.
You kinda make God look bad when your actions contradict your professed faith. It’s no wonder people come to develop the views they have about church, organized religion and Christianity.
In summary, don’t let the hypocritical behavior of a few Christians be the reason you reject the promises, peace and saving grace of the gospel. God will deal with them, but He will also deal with you. God’s Word doesn’t change no matter what the world does. And don’t be the hypocritical Christian that leads someone astray or keeps them from coming to Jesus. You will be rewarded according to your deeds and Jesus will deny you.
Blessings in your Christian walk and your journey to find God.
For your listening pleasure check out Blanca and this joint from her solo debut called Different Drum.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Going to church is a phrase commonly used to describe assembling with those who share the same faith to worship God in various biblically approved ways, study His Word together and engage in healthy fellowship with each other.
We can view examples of this action in the book of Acts as well as in Hebrews where Paul tells them not to forsake the assembly.
But let’s be real. Do we really need to dig that deep for an explanation why one ought to attend worship services? Should it not simply make sense?
Let’s look at it from a secular standpoint. From Mary Kay to Weight Watchers it is found to be beneficial to meet. What do they do when they meet? They cheer each other on. They tell of their success with the program. They learn more valuable information. They motivate each other to work harder. Successful people within these programs know the importance of meeting and absolutely cannot wait til the next one!
If one values meeting for the monetary success or weight loss, then how much more shall we value meeting with the saints for the sake of our spiritual success?? Should be a no-brainer right?
But some say they don’t like organized religion. God, who is not an author of confusion, seems to have a thing for organized religion and structure. He definitely showed that in the old testament as well highlighting the structure within the new testament church with regards to elders and deacons. Furthermore, I’ll bet you’d have a problem if other things in your life were not organized. Your workplace, your favorite sports team — you’d like some level of organization rather than chaos. Would you like to eat at an unorganized restaurant or go to an unorganized concert, or even attend an unorganized college?
In what sense are you okay with chaos?
If chaos does not suit your fancy in these trivial facets of life, how then does it suit you in things that are of spiritual and eternal value?
Let’s truly examine why one would decide to forsake the assembly. Is it not typically for worldly or selfish reasons? I know there are exceptions. And by no means attend just any church gathering for the sake of going.
But desire to worship our Lord and to learn of Him. Desire to join others who share this same wonderful desire.
In the end, it truly is to your benefit to engage in this service to a wonderful God, who really deserves more than a few hours on Sunday.
Christian Music Pusher 