Romans 2 Circumcision and Baptism

Romans 2 NIV
Truth is not always what we see or hear from the lips of others.

It is my perception; whether conceived by the Spirit of God or otherwise, I am not always sure, that often we judge others by our own misperceptions. Christians, too, are often judged by what the world and the people around them perceive to be the truth. The truth is not always what we perceive it to be. What we see is not always what is. Paul uses the example of circumcision. Circumcision only proves that the person was involved in the ritual of circumcision. But, Paul, insists that to be a Jew takes more than an outward ritual. Circumcision also involves the heart. He wrote to the Romans: "A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code." (vs 28)

It is a sad reality that in Christianity today, there are many who have received the Sacrament of Baptism; but, have later rejected their place in our Father's kingdom. They have performed the ritual; but, the reality of being a child of God is not within their hearts. These are the ones that the evil one will use to point fingers at and persecute those whose hearts are on fire for the Lord. They will search out the sins (the outward actions or inactions) of those who love the Lord and use it in attempts to thwart the proclamation of the Gospel. I am speaking of that charge of hypocrisy that is often lodged against the Christian. Yet, how hypocritical is it for one who has turned their hearts against the Lord to bring a charge against one who loves Him? It is by the judgment that we bring against others; that we are judged.

May God help us to seek out the truth and speak the truth. May the truth that is in us always be that of the Spirit of God (which is love and most lovely) and not merely the outward face of the law (which most often is quite ugly). May God grant that our perceptions always be Spirit led.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 5:27-32 The Sick Sinners And Jesus

Luke 5:27-32 NIV
I have heard more times than I care to count that someone will not go to church with a bunch of hypocrites. The reality is that those who say this really don't know what the church is. The church is a bunch of sinners who have been made saints by faith in the blood of Christ that was shed for all people. We are people who have been called to repentance and receive God's Word of grace. We repent and then we fall back, again. Over and over again, day after day, we ask for forgiveness. We ask for healing and wholeness in God's sight. Christians are not so different than non-Christians; except that we know that we are not healthy and that we need Jesus to make us whole. So over and over again, we come to Him, with penitent hearts. Over and over, again, day after day, we give Him thanks for forgiving our sins.

The church on earth is indeed full of sinners. The righteous stay home; while, we sinners seek the LORD. We, who live this double life as both saint and sinner, will fall over and over again; but, no matter how often we fall, we trust in the mercy of God and know that Jesus will pick us back up again. By the shedding of His blood we have been forgiven our sins. We have been reconciled to God. We have been made whole. Saints and sinners; that is who we, the children of God, are.

God Peace - Pr. J