Like the religious authorities in Jesus' time, Christians today don't want to get their hands dirty as if that would defile them. The number of germophobics are increasing exponentially. Don't tough this, eat that, be with them, and etc. Maybe you are one of them. You've put yourself on the level of "untouchable" both from the personal perspective of not touching; but you also refuse to touch anything that is unclean...in your mind. I haven't even come to the spiritual aspect. I'm just talking about bringing food to the hungry, comfort for the widow and taking care of the orphan. We've talked about this in the past. For centuries we have "talked about it" but not taken care of that which we were commanded to take care of. Spiritually or materially. Christians seem to not care. I'm not talking about the special occasion giving, the events for the needy. Those are good things to do. I'm talking about getting off your butt, empty your closets and bring them in your car to where there are those in need and personally giving it away. Does your local mission recognize you and your car? Do they know how much you care? Do you walk across the street and wash your neighbors windows because they can't? How about taking that batch of cookies to the widow on the corner or give them to the scouts so that they can taste what homemade is really like? If Jesus were to come into your home, work or other places will he find your hands dirty?
People don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Stolen quote. But, it's true. The ability of Christians to let people know how much they care is directly related to the cleanliness of their hands, mind and spirit. If those 3 are filthy, then anything coming from them is filthy as well. Did you really think that only applies to others. Would you accept an unbelievers opinion about Jesus over that of what you personally know? I know, that's ridiculous. Maybe you would take the opinion of the world over the opinion of God. Once again, that's ridiculous. We are called to be apart from the world and yet remain in the world. How exactly does that function? For beginners you need to choose whether you are going to be a friend of the world or Jesus. None of us can serve two masters. No one. You must choose to serve Jesus in ALL areas of your life in order to remain separate from the world. Making sure you guard your heart mind and soul requires daily and sometimes hourly checking with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told those who believed to trust no one except the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Should our loyalties be towards the world, we cannot be loyal to God. Maybe that's what you want though. Do you want to play the field and live in both the things of the world and yet want the blessings of God?
It may seem that you are "doing what God wants you to do." It may seem that you have your priorities right. It may seem that you are doing what your church wants you to do. If our lives are reduced to "seems" then there are questions of how serious we are to serve Jesus with all our heart, soul and mind. Do we bless others with love, acceptance and approval or do we throw manipulation, control and secrecy their way? The Christian is told to put their hands on the plow and not look back. The Christian is told to put the past away and focus on moving forward with the Spirit leading the way. The Christian is told that the way is NARROW leading to the foot of the cross. Do you have the singleness of mind to go the distance and get your hands dirty for Jesus? Christianity is not for the weak of heart, the half dedicated and less than all in that the world confirms you can and should be. Today is the day of salvation. Now is the time of salvation. The world awaits real Christians who love like Jesus because it's Jesus who lives within them.
No comments:
Post a Comment