Over the past week, I've been writing a little bit about how we, as Christians, basically try to let God speak for Himself through the Bible. I firmly hold the belief that, when we take it upon ourselves to pronounce God's judgment rather than simply telling people that they have to wrestle with what God says is right and wrong, we are overstepping our bounds. We can say that God says this is right or wrong, and then let that person take it up with God. After all, He's the one they disagree with.
But what is our role in that process? Yes, we're called to faithfully proclaim the Word that God has spoken. That's part of the reason why reading the Bible and knowing God's Word is so important in the life of the Christian. And yet, there really is something wrong when we completely disconnect our selves from the Word that we speak. If we say we are a Christian, and yet we neglect to try to live as God wills, that will also have an impact on how the words we speak are received.
If I declare that God says it's important, for example, not to have sex until a person is in the union of marriage, but then say that I live under God's grace while engaging in sexual activities of my own, my self is giving a contradictory message to what I say I believe. Likewise, if I say I believe that being a follower of Christ is important, but I neglect to do what He says regarding such things as worshiping with my fellow believers, or supporting God's work through a local congregation with my offerings and service, I'm sending the message that, what I believe is important, but not important enough to change my life to take it into account.
Here's where we have a challenge as Christians. We will never live perfectly according to God's will. We're sinful. That's why we are so thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus. And, since we see how much God values us, in that He sends His one and only Son for us, we then strive to live according to His will.
But this brings us to what is perhaps the most important point. Rather than trying to find an excuse for our own sin by pointing out the sins of others, we also admit it when we sin and mess up. When we ask for forgiveness, it shows the kind of humility the God really does want from His people. Now, that humility springs up from our recognition that we are not perfect. We're not the ones who stand in judgment of others. However, that also doesn't exclude us from sharing what God says is right and wrong. We can admit that we are sinful, and ask for forgiveness for our sin, and yet, in a caring way, point out what God says about the sin that we see in the lives of others.
We do this because we realize that we, as God's messengers, are also part of the message. Yes, God is the one who has done the action of declaring what is right and wrong, and in forgiving the sin of the world through Jesus. As His messengers, we will never be able to step into those roles. However, as His messengers, if we present ourselves as people who have the right and authority to judge others without also acknowledging our sins and faults, we're hypocritical in the eyes of those who receive such judgment, and our role as the messenger then interferes with the message. That's why the Christian not only can declare God's judgment on the sin of others, but lives in such a way that he or she is humble because he or she recognizes the fact that sin is a part of our lives, and we need God's forgiveness just as much as the other person.
But what is our role in that process? Yes, we're called to faithfully proclaim the Word that God has spoken. That's part of the reason why reading the Bible and knowing God's Word is so important in the life of the Christian. And yet, there really is something wrong when we completely disconnect our selves from the Word that we speak. If we say we are a Christian, and yet we neglect to try to live as God wills, that will also have an impact on how the words we speak are received.
If I declare that God says it's important, for example, not to have sex until a person is in the union of marriage, but then say that I live under God's grace while engaging in sexual activities of my own, my self is giving a contradictory message to what I say I believe. Likewise, if I say I believe that being a follower of Christ is important, but I neglect to do what He says regarding such things as worshiping with my fellow believers, or supporting God's work through a local congregation with my offerings and service, I'm sending the message that, what I believe is important, but not important enough to change my life to take it into account.
Here's where we have a challenge as Christians. We will never live perfectly according to God's will. We're sinful. That's why we are so thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus. And, since we see how much God values us, in that He sends His one and only Son for us, we then strive to live according to His will.
But this brings us to what is perhaps the most important point. Rather than trying to find an excuse for our own sin by pointing out the sins of others, we also admit it when we sin and mess up. When we ask for forgiveness, it shows the kind of humility the God really does want from His people. Now, that humility springs up from our recognition that we are not perfect. We're not the ones who stand in judgment of others. However, that also doesn't exclude us from sharing what God says is right and wrong. We can admit that we are sinful, and ask for forgiveness for our sin, and yet, in a caring way, point out what God says about the sin that we see in the lives of others.
We do this because we realize that we, as God's messengers, are also part of the message. Yes, God is the one who has done the action of declaring what is right and wrong, and in forgiving the sin of the world through Jesus. As His messengers, we will never be able to step into those roles. However, as His messengers, if we present ourselves as people who have the right and authority to judge others without also acknowledging our sins and faults, we're hypocritical in the eyes of those who receive such judgment, and our role as the messenger then interferes with the message. That's why the Christian not only can declare God's judgment on the sin of others, but lives in such a way that he or she is humble because he or she recognizes the fact that sin is a part of our lives, and we need God's forgiveness just as much as the other person.
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