The Pharisees were full of a lot of hot air. They loved hearing themselves pray. They spoke eloquently of the law. They were sharp to judge and criticize those that fell short. Their talk was more important than their actions. We have a few "Pharisees" in our modern nation. So many of our politicians ridicule the "1%". They have waged an all out war on the wealthy while at the same time many of them live that exact same lifestyle. Isn't it a bit hypocritical to slam wealth when your wealth and extravagant living are in the same top 1%? Those are our modern day Pharisees. We must rise above those double standards.
How do we, as Christians, keep from making the same mistakes as the religious elite of the Bible? I think the answer is pretty simple. Action! I'm sure you've heard actions speak louder than words. It's true! You can talk about serving or you can serve. You can talk about getting to know Jesus or you can do it. You can talk about praying for someone or you can pray. You can talk about love or you can go out and find the most unlovable and love them. You can talk about searching out the lost or you can go to where they are and share with them. Talk is cheap. It costs nothing to say you are a follower of Christ. The real cost is when you make your actions match the rhetoric. The real cost is taking a stand for Christ at school or work. The real cost is giving your life instead of bowing to your persecutors. The real price is standing up for those that can't defend themselves. The real price is that paid by Jesus for you to love in eternity!
I praise you Lord that you said you loved me, then went out and proved it. May I have the same passion to save those I see every day that don't know you, regardless of the cost. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment