“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:15-17
As a Christian I need to share things with people that they do not want to hear – there is a real hell, fornication is wrong, homosexuality is wrong. People want to hear – if you are a good moral person you will go to Heaven. Unfortunately, that’s not what the Bible says. I hear and see the following all the time:
There are many ways to Heaven.
If you are good and moral you will go to Heaven.
I come from a long line of Christians, so I’m a Christian.
My grandpa was a preacher, so I’m a Christian.
Fornication has become so accepted in our society that it’s no longer a sin.
It’s okay to lie, cheat, steal, bare false witness and covet what other people have as long as you’re not doing it in church.
It’s okay to be homosexual or indulge in deviant sex as long as you love the Lord.
I could go on and on with the myriad if false teachings, lies, hypocrisy and goofy notions people have, and this doesn’t only apply to Christians. I’ve heard of Muslims drinking themselves staggering drunk on alcohol, Buddhists killing people, Atheists worshiping nature and the list goes on. Hypocrisy is universal.
I do everything in my power to teach and live the Christian life, but I fail too. I’m just an old sinner saved by grace. I study scripture so that I know how God wants me to live and then I try with all my heart to live according to scripture. Do I have to live by scripture? No, I’m saved by God’s grace, so all my sins are forgiven. I live by scripture as a form of worship. Jesus’ cruel death, burial and his resurrection gave me the opportunity to have a personal relationship with God and eternal life. God deserves my worship, adherence to His precepts and to have me strive with all my heart to live a life that would please Him.
Have a blessed day filled with worship and praise for our risen Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus (Messiah Yeshua).