Stop Trying To Fool God!

Tuesday's Devotion (5-9-06)

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" 1 John 3:17 (KJV)

Let's say that you're a poor man on the street. You have nothing at all, you don't even know where your next meal is coming from. You run into a rich man or woman that claims to be a Christian. You talk for a moment, and they know that you're in need. At the end of the conversation the rich "Christian" tells you, "God bless you," as they walk away. They walk away without giving you anything. They leave you in the same poor state that you were in when they found you. What are you going to think about that person? If you're not a Christian yourself and this is the first one you've ever met... What are you going to think about Christians in general? I'll tell you what I would think. I would think this: "I hope that all Christians aren't that way. I hope that they don't just talk the talk and don't walk the walk!" As Christians (or believers in Christ,) we seem to leave a lasting impression on people. That impression can be a good one or a bad one. It's our duty to make sure that it's a good impression! When you walk away from someone in need they should be able to say, "Now that's a great Christian person, they really helped me! They didn't just talk they did something good for me. They care about people like me."

A lot of people have a bad taste in their mouth from "Christians" they've met. Mediocre Christians that go to church on Sunday, but don't bring God with them for the rest of the week are the reason that many people still reject Christ. You represent Christ, and when you walk away from someone in need without helping them... They don't see you walking away, they see Christ walking away or at least they think that's what they're seeing. They think that because YOU are supposed to be one of Jesus' followers! I'll tell you this though: Jesus doesn't walk away from people that need His assistance! If you're not willing to help someone in need, then you better be prepared to walk back there and tell them: "I'm sorry, I'm not a good Christian. Jesus wouldn't treat you the way that I am treating you, Jesus would actually help you, and Jesus expects me to help you too!" I don't think any of you are willing to say those words, especially those of you who really don't help people. Every "Christian" that I've seen that doesn't help people are the types that are too proud to admit their own faults. They're the "Holier than thou," types. In their own eyes they can do no wrong, but they're certainly not fooling the world... And they will NEVER fool God. Like I've been saying, there is no fooling God. Don't even try to fool God, because it's insulting to His character.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins, and we forgive all those who've wronged us. Please help us to be compassionate for other people besides just ourselves and our own families and friends. In Jesus name. A-men!

God bless!

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