meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus

Not me who lives

Galatians 2:20 And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

We are more alive in Christ than we will ever be without Him. Without Him we were living, but spiritually we were dead as doornails!

We are alive because of our faith, because we choose to live! As such, we should pray that whenever we are being observed what others see is not us, but the Christ in us.

Even when we are secluded, or when we have turned the corner and walked away from prying eyes and listening ears, God and Satan are still observing. Honor God. Glorify His name.

Be honest not hypocritical

Matthew 6:5-6 "Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They've got their reward! But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

What are those people doing that has drawn the ire of Jesus? What the heck has given the word hypocrite such incredible baggage?

The ire of Jesus: this righteous anger was directed at the religious and social elite who had the responsibility to act in an upright way but misled many but saying one thing and doing absolutely the opposite for the purpose of protecting their high positions. These often public displays were intended to create misdirection, which hid their imperfection and increased their wealth. Jesus called them white-washed tombs, cups that were dirty on the inside, etc.

Sadly the word hypocrite has taken on a recycled meaning and is often used against Christians in the same way Jesus used to call out the Pharisees and the Temple priesthood. It is ironic that in becoming institutionalized our faith is often labeled hypocritical. Is the label deserved? You decide ...