Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God-

Hypocrisy – How we live our lives---

What is the creed we live by? There are thousands in this world to chose from..

Most importantly are we a living an example of honesty, conviction, steadfastness and righteousness. Or are we living lives of compromise, confliction, guilt,shame and anxiety? Are we living lives of peace or lives of inner conflict?

Is “Don’t do as I do ..do as I say” your creed?…You know that actions speak louder than words… “Don’t trust people just by what they say, believe in them according to what they do.”

A person’s behaviour is truly what counts..When you hear one thing from a person but see another in his life, the latter speaks the truth. And so it is with God and so it will be at the day of judgement.. A wise man can talk the talk but only a Godly man can walk the walk. Only a Godly man can live by example. Only a Godly man can live by the example provided for us by Christ our Lord in his short life here on earth.

Only a man of God will let his light shine before others, so that all people may see his good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven. A passage reinforced in Matthew 5….

There were “many” in the days of Jesus living by the creed of “do as I say not as I do. That was a travesty then as it is today. Because it is not how we begin this race it is how we cross the finish line that counts. Will we be just all talk at the finish line? We must be cautious if we turn from a God filled life and embrace other worldly endeavours because the restoration process may not be possible, if it is ever becomes desirable at all..

Matthew 5:13 refers specifically to this… Jesus was teaching his disciples on the mountain and told them….

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

To be cast out.. considered good for nothing….A harsh reality…

How does this square with forgiveness from God and to be washed cleansed of our sins and be born again..to be renewed in spirit..Jesus teaches to forgive your brother for transgressions unto you not 7x but 70x 7… It is important to note that the forgiveness happens with an honest heart, one must ask for it and then repent for their sins. That puts our forgiveness from God squarely upon our own shoulders. If you are like the salt that’s lost its flavour it is not God throwing you out it is what you have done to separate yourself from the love of God..”

In the same way, Romans 12:2 Paul says

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect..

God despises the pretenders…..

Matthew 15:7-9 also Mark 7:6

Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

We cannot deceive God… Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

We also find out what the hypocrite faces, and that is certain judgment. When the judgment of God comes we can be sure that it will be righteous judgment. This judgment will be according to His works. On the surface Paul may seem to be teaching that salvation is by works alone, and that eternal life can be earned by doing good things. However, based on other Scripture we know this is not true.

We must bear in mind that this passage has to do with the basis of God’s judgment. Throughout the Bible we find that judgment is according to our works, while “salvation” is by faith. Paul is not discussing how a person is saved, but how he will be judged: "according to his deeds" .There is nothing that will influence “works” more than the faith in the holy spirit which drives them. Works that are a reflection of faith are pleasing to God and will ultimately be our salvation..

There was a little zoo that was noted for their great collection of different animals. One day the gorilla died, and to keep up the appearance of a full range of animals, the zookeeper paid one of the groundkeepers to wear a gorilla suit and fill in for the dead animal. It was his first day on the new job, and the man didn’t know how to act like a gorilla very well. As he tried to move convincingly, he got too close to the wall of the enclosure and tripped and fell into the lion exhibit. He began to scream, convinced his life was over as the lion approached…until the lion spoke to him:

“Be quiet, or you’re going to get us both fired!” he said…..

Pretty funny! But there is a lesson here for us…

There are so many pretending to live a Godly life that we may be reinforced more by people around us then by the word of God.. Paul in a letter to the Corinthians, in the book of Corinthians 15:33 , says “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” This is true for our children but is also true for us..His path is brightly illuminated .. I will close with a beautiful passage from Matthew chapter 5 -

5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

We have the way to salvation outlined before us. He has shown us the way. We need only to walk the walk and have our faith guide our works daily. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God…

Let us pray-

Thank you Lord for our bible study and for our group today.

We pray for Kevin Rasmussen, a policeman in Chicago and all of our brave men and women in harm’s way today. We ask that they be kept safe and that peace be restored to our home countries.

We thank thee Lord for the new additions to our bible study this week. Give us the wisdom to guide our fellowship in a way pleasing to you and helpful to all.

Remember today all who suffer. May their suffering be mitigated by your love and compassion.

We thank thee for those who have found a voice in our bible study and we pray that all will find the fellowship that they desire.

Help us to recognize the gifts that thou hast bestowed upon us already and to use them in accordance to your word.

We know Lord that you are always there for us. Even when we stumble and fall. We know that your forgiveness knows no bounds. And We are grateful for your presence in our lives today. Give us Lord the wisdom to go forward with your grace so that we may be living examples of righteousness..

Amen

 

 

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