“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
As I had mentioned last week, my friend Lynn got me going with her post about “Edgy Christianity“. One book she had mentioned on her list was titled “I am fine with God…It’s Christians I Can’t Stand”. I have not bought/read the book, just took a peak at Amazon to read the first chapter…
One major annoyance to the unsaved population is that we try to impress our moral points with force on them. Do we? Do we point out what is wrong in their lives rather than to point to the cross of Salvation? Are we hypocrites? Modern day Pharisees?
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” ~ Matthew 23:25-26 (ESV)
Sadly part of me has to agree. You see, the world does not see the ‘average’ Christian, but the high profile preachers/teachers/tele-evangelists. How many have we seen preach moral points “Do this, don’t do that”? How many of them later stumbled over the exact issue (sin) — fell from their high horse?
My point is that we all are sinners (believers and unbelievers). We are all in need of a Savior. We are not saved by our own works, but by the grace of God:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
You see, good works is not what brings us to saving faith. Good works begins after we have been saved. Are we no longer a sinner after Christ reached down to save us? By no means. As for me, I sin daily. Do I want to? Of course not. But I am human. God gave me free will — sometimes I make wrong choices. Does God love me less because of the choices I have made? No, but I can not be in someones face because of their sin.
So how can we share the Gospel without self-righteous talk? Get out of the way…Walk the talk with His guidance and strength. Let us admit to our own sinful nature. Share what Christ has done in us. Only Christ can change hearts — we don’t have the power to do that. Let me close with a quote by St. Francis of Assisi:
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Blessings to your weekend and as always…
Amen, very well said my friend.
Beautiful Iris, thank you. 🙂
Amen to that, Iris. Walking the talk is so important! May we reflect the love and grace of God in our everyday lives, not just from our mouths.
Lovely post!
This kind of ties in with what I just wrote about.
Fewer words and more actions. That’s the lesson I got out of Eccl. 5 this morning!
Thanks for sharing this.
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Iris… Iris…
You and I are on the same journey right now. I am wondering why the Lord has placed in us such a passion to get our hearts around this.
I know I have learned a lot. One. I will NEVER compromise ont he word of God but, two, I need to love people better, with more compassion and forgiveness. It is hard to admit I may have been judgemental but I now am moving into leanring how to love the unlovely in my life.
Your words inthis post are spot on and how I wish every believer took them into their soul. The Lord is good to have brought both of us to this place. I am humbled and thrilled to see where He is going to take us ont this journey. Love you my friend, Keep typing and keep loving. Hugs, Lynn
Hi Iris,
I think it’s a glaring indictment on us as Christians that many unsaved have such a contempt for our faith. I’m so tired of religious jargan, finger pointing and judgementalism. You hit the solution right on the head – get out of the way. Let God be God and do His work in us so His light can shine.
Yes, I have to agree…my prayer is —shine through me Lord….don’t let me be seen at all…help me to do/act/speak in a way that would be pleasing to YOU.
I failed flat on Saturday…the Lord prompted me when I said something that I have never felt bad for before….but now He is wanting to “change” my habits…and I have to listen and obey…so I am on the “molding wheel”….and this old clay will have to undergo some shaping up…to be more like Him.
You are SUCH a blessing Iris! I love you and HOPE your weekend was a good one!
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Thank you for your thoughtful words.
Love the message, Iris, and the quote!
Satan loves to masquerade as light – I have to wonder how often he uses Christians who love to be right to further alienate those who doubt. Thanks for coming by “He Lives” and leaving your words of encouragement. I really appreciate the visit!
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
There is a song by Casting Crowns-I think- that talks about the need for us to get out of the way. And it is right…I get in the way of the vision of Christ and the cross.
How sad would it be to get to heaven and find out that I had been no different than the Pharisees? Dear God help us.