“The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable” - Brennan Manning
A Warning:I thought of this quote after reading verses 1-3. We as Christians in America need to understand how privileged we are. If you are reading this post on your own computer you are part of a privileged minority. If you have the time to read this post or if it is even an option, you are a privileged minority. With that being said, what are you doing with that privilege? It is so easy in this society to make ourselves comfortable. It is also easy to excuse our self from the responsibility we have to other Christians because we are “doing better than that guy.” Our choice of lifestyle is very important. Someone is always watching. Even more so in the last few years with the growing trend of video equipment that “everybody” seems to be carrying around in their pocket (another privilege). I will get to my point now. We have the privilege of riches and freedoms as Americans and God has chosen us to be his children. We need to be using the opportunity to not only reach the lost but help build up those who are younger in the faith. Those brothers and sisters that are watching need to see us living for Jesus and not our self. One bad choice can destroy another’s faith. “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!” Especially if you destroy a child’s faith!
It is simply our duty:
Now here is another hard truth. When we do use our privilege to glorify God, it is simply our duty to do so. Jesus uses an illustration of a servant who works in the field all day and then comes in and serves his master at the table before eating. This spoke right to me because so many times I feel I deserve my reward for good deeds. It is so easy to think too highly of ourselves as Christians. “When do I get a break and get noticed?” Pastor Chris spoke about the cost of things in our lives on Sunday. Christianity should cost us a great deal not just give us a golden ticket. The cost should be our entire lives. We should not get puffed-up with pride when we have simply done what is required of us as Jesus’ disciples.
The coming of the kingdom:
Do you ever think about how much time we have on this earth? As a child we can not imagine an end. As we grow older the reality becomes more clear. The reality is that no one knows when his or her time is up, and we certainly do not know when everyone’s time is up. Just like in the days of Noah and Lot, life will be going on as it always does and suddenly time is up. Those who have chosen to listen to the Lord’s call know it is coming but there are those who refuse and turn a blind eye.
"I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”
The faith of a child:
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
I feel like this part just answers all the questions. Just have faith like the children. Think about children and their qualities. What do children do when they get hurt? Run to their parents. Children believe anything that you tell them. They forgive very quickly. Children are not worried about what other’s think. Children are willing to submit to authority. Children want to be like their parents. Children tend to be like Mary in the story from Luke 10. Wow! If we could just have faith in God like a child…
