Tag Archive | Christ

“We’re with you, Jesus…as long as we don’t get a better offer.”

Feb18

Question:  Why are some Christians siding with those who stand against biblical teachings?

Answer:  Sadly, many Christians have more of a “What’s in it for me?” attitude than a “put God first” attitude. They don’t take the time to examine themselves to see if they are making choices that please God.  Instead, when they make choices on how best to deal with society’s issues, they mostly consider how the outcome will benefit them or the people they care more about.  They don’t put the priority on what is right according to God’s Holy Word.  If the two sides don’t match, it’s God’s side that takes a back seat in their choices.

For too many Christians, not only are they looking out for themselves first, but they also tend to side with what is popular with those they admire.  For example, when some Christians are at parties with friends who are drinking heavily, making crude jokes, or belittling those who don’t embrace their sinful views on social issues,  these Christians will likely remain silent.  They don’t want to look unintelligent or seem like a religious extremist if they offer a biblical view on these topics.  They also fear being excluded from future party invite lists or being labeled intolerant because they aren’t seen as embracing sinful lifestyles.

Other Christians fear losing favor with their boss at work.  They’ve caught on to the unwritten rule that you never openly disagree with the boss if you want to get promoted.  So, to stay in the good graces of their boss, they might choose to simply go along with employers or co-workers’ requests to donate to causes or organizations that the boss supports.  They’ll  agree to donate their money and even their time to these causes even if these causes promote views that go against the teachings of God’s Word.  They choose getting ahead on the job before standing for their faith and refusing to participate in these sin-promoting activities.

Even more far-reaching in impact is when these Christians vote for politicians who clearly state that they are planning to push for legislation that goes against biblical teaching. These politicians promise good things like creating more jobs or helping the poor. Therefore, these Christians are willing to overlook  the sinful things they also promise to do, like supporting abortions and redefining marriage to be something other than the biblical marriage of one man with one woman.  Again, they choose to make God’s teachings take a back seat to the political promises they hope to get.  These choices not only negatively affect them, they negatively affect the entire society and lead them away from God.

Christians must stop being hypocrites — praising Jesus and declaring their love for God on Sunday, then turning their backs on God when they think they’re getting a “better” offer on Monday!   They must remember that Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (NKJV)   In Exodus 20:3, God says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  When Christians choose social status, money, power, or any other thing that makes them put God after it, they are making these things more important than God is in their lives.  They are making Jesus take a back seat to what they think is a better offer.  We must always remember, though, that there is no better offer than receiving God’s gift of the saving grace of His Son, Jesus Christ!

Follow me on Twitter:   www.valclarksplace.com

Beware! You’re being watched!

Jan21

Question:  How do I get over my resentment of church people after witnessing hypocritical behavior by some of them?

Answer:  Unfortunately, many people have blamed the entire church body for bad behavior they’ve seen or experienced from some in the church. Some have even used this reason to explain why they don’t want to attend church. But they need to know that like everybody else, when members of the church do wrong or treat people wrong, they sin against God.  And, like everyone else, they will answer to God for their actions if they don’t ask forgiveness for and repent of their sins. Those Believers who have truly grown in their relationship with God already know this.

But you need to understand that your own relationship with God should not be based on the actions of humans.  Your relationship with God must be based on your acceptance of the actions of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ!  Jesus is the only one God sent to die on the cross and take the punishment we deserved for our sins.  We can be thankful for His sacrificial death and resurrection.  Only by accepting Jesus as our Savior, asking Him to forgive our sins and repenting from our sins, are we saved from eternal damnation. Then, we can look forward to going to heaven.  And we make the first steps needed to develop godly feelings towards other people.

Because God’s Holy Spirit will then be guiding you and helping you to have the correct feelings towards others — whether they are doing the right things or doing the wrong things.  You’ll learn to hate the sins and not the sinner.  You’ll learn that you are to pray for people who are doing wrong instead of resenting them.  Pray that they repent and do right.  Love them because God loves them and wants them to live their lives for Him.

As Christians, we must remember that we are being watched by both fellow Believers as well as unbelievers.  And just as the Pharisees watched Jesus hoping to find something they could use against Him (see Luke 6:6-11),  our actions will also be used for and against us by others.  Our actions can help draw people to Christ or push them away from Christ.  The Bible teaches us in Matthew 5:13-16 that we are to represent the love of Jesus Christ to others by being “salt and light.”  It says in verse 16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NKJV)

Beware, Christians!  You’re being watched!  So, make sure what others see is the love of Jesus Christ in you!

Follow me on Twitter: @valclarksplace.com