Some
people I meet, who claim they are Christians, don’t behave like Christians at
all! Of course, this sounds as though I’m being judgmental. Perhaps I am. But
in my experience, you are what you look like. There is a very popular comment
doing the rounds that states, “If it looks like a dog, barks like a dog and behaves
like a dog, the chances are, it is a dog.” In the same way it seems to me that
when we look at someone, “If it looks like a sinner, talks like a sinner and
acts like a sinner, the chances are excellent that it’s a sinner”. Or to put it
another way, If you put a cow into a garage, you can’t say it’s a motor car!
Am
I entitled to observe this? The answer is an unequivocal “YES”! Note that I’m
not talking about an individual. I’m talking about what I see. We are supposed
to do this. How can we flee from all forms of evil if we can’t keep away from
those who behave that way?
God’s
Word is very clear on this issue. He says, “Judge not that you be not judged”.
So even if your neighbour is a celebrated international drag queen, don’t
discard him – or should I say her? Take this to a logical conclusion. If your
close friend has been sent to jail for murder, he has committed a grave crime
against God and humanity. He has broken the commandment. Thou shalt not kill.
(Actually the commandment is against murder rather than killing) Now he is in
prison. So do you reject him as a friend? If you do, you are judging him. You
should reject what he has done. But he needs you now more than ever. Instead,
obey the Lord by visiting him in prison.
Several
years ago, a well known singing evangelist was caught in an adulterous relationship.
At the time, Billy Graham expressed his disappointment in what had happened.
But he added that they had been friends for a number of years and he would not abandon
his friend.
So
what do we do about people who say they are Christians but live like the devil?
The answer is we should seek to show him or her, the error of their ways. Not
with your special Gospel Colt 45. You know what I mean. Don’t use God’s Word on
the person to inflict on him some sort of spiritual blunt force trauma. That’s
what we are commanded not to do. It’s not the way to love your neighbour.
So
let’s make a decision that no matter what others do, we will not judge them.
But, as a person, will judge what they do. Then, don’t do it yourself. That’s
real Christianity. Paul put it as follows: “6 But instead, one believer sues another--right in front of
unbelievers! 7 Even to have such
lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the
injustice and leave it at that? Why not let
yourselves be cheated? 8 Instead,
you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.”
1 Cor 6:6-8 NLT It’s strange but in 50 years
of following Jesus, I’ve never heard anyone preach on these verses of
Scripture!
Today’s
meditation goes down the road of looking at looking at what people do. Learn
from what you see. Just don’t follow their bad example. I didn’t say it’s easy.
It’s painful. But Jesus will be your closest friend.
The
verse and rhyme content from previous days can be seen on my blog – http:
//jimnphyllida.blogspot.com
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
Living with Him in Glory
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We’re told we have a duty; our bodies to control;
There is no
other way to let the spirit man be whole.
Our carnal sinful nature will only bring us death.
But in the
Holy Spirit’s power, we share His mighty breath.
The leading of the Spirit, isn’t subject to the law.
But law is
not abandoned. We don’t need it any more!
The Holy Spirit guides us and keeps us clear of deeds,
Our carnal
self would follow, to satisfy its greed!
Like blatant immorality, wild living, crime and lust.
Idolatry and
fighting; and a life that is un-just.
It drunkenness and envy and all the others things,
That Satan
and his cohorts celebrate and bring.
That’s not the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t lead that way.
His way is
love and patience; it’s kindness every day.
It’s joy and peace and goodness and having self control.
It’s
faithfulness and gentleness; these are what make us whole.
This is the “law of Jesus” and those who live this way,
Obey the ten
commandments on each and every day.
So take all of your vices and nail them to the cross.
You’ll find
you do not need them, while Jesus is the boss.
You’ll find you have the power for you to conquer sin.
And through
the Holy Spirit, you cannot fail to win!
So take this opportunity, to cast off godless ways.
Reject your
secret longing for all that Satan says,
And live a life like Jesus, our great and blessed hope;
And you will
find the power to more than merely cope.
Keep looking unto Jesus and ask Him to draw near;
He’s standing
at the very door and soon He will appear.
He set us free from evil. He wants us to be pure.
He said that
by His Spirit, we surely can endure.
He wants to give us victory. He wants us to be free,
To live with
Him in glory throughout eternity.
Jim Strickland – Written Saturday 24th December 2011
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