So I've been thinking...
...that I very rarely blog on here so I thought it was about time I wrote one again. Recently I have been reading in the book of Romans. It was while studying chapter 2:17-29 that something hit me. In verse 24 Paul quotes Isaiah 52:5 which says, "The world blasphemes the name of God because of you" (NLT). I concede in this passage Paul is talking specifically about the Jews and their claim that the mere fact that they are descendants of Abraham make them okay in Gods eye's; However, I found this passage to be extremely convicting. Just think about the culture we live in. How many people in our churches believe that professing Christ with their mouths is good enough or that going to church on Sunday is all they need to do? When we proclaim the Gospel we need to proclaim the whole Gospel to people. This means that we must proclaim Jesus as savior AND Jesus as Lord. Christianity involves belief in Jesus but it also involves right living. We need to remember that what we do is just as important as what we say.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
28 For you are not a true Christian (Jew) just because you were born of Christian (Jewish) parents or because you have gone through the Christian (Jewish) ceremony of Baptism (circumcision). 29 No, a true Christian (Jew) is one whose heart is right with God. And true Baptism (circumcision) is not a dunking (cutting) of the body but a change of heart produced by God's spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.
...Something to think about.
Stephen
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Lets not give people a reason to, "blaspheme the name of God."
Getting back to Romans Chapter 2; I couldn't help but think, what if Paul were writing this passage specifically to us here in the states? It was so convicting to me when I read it...
28 For you are not a true Christian (Jew) just because you were born of Christian (Jewish) parents or because you have gone through the Christian (Jewish) ceremony of Baptism (circumcision). 29 No, a true Christian (Jew) is one whose heart is right with God. And true Baptism (circumcision) is not a dunking (cutting) of the body but a change of heart produced by God's spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.
...Something to think about.
Stephen
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