Thoughts for another day

Sept. 10, 2012.

Today's verse: Mt. 5:20. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Today's moral standards are so hazy and blurred that if a strong wind of teaching blows in one direction, we're swayed in that direction because within us too, the yardstick for morality is constantly changing, toward the worse (what with our changing characteristics and aspirations), and therefore we accept doctrines that fall in line with our thinking at the moment.  Take for example, abortion.  Believe me, there're so many Christians around the world who're involved in it and don't think it wrong to do it, for after all they say, it can be very 'inconvenient'! 

There's so much filth in our churches it's really shocking.  The man sitting next to you robs the very company he's working in by buying sub-standard stuff on the job and getting paid for it by the supplier under the table; or the woman, so composed and dignified, who's an agent of a school, authorized to collect donations, etc. without anyone to check, because this woman has bribed officials to look the other way.  And you know what; they've such remarkable, reputations in the church; why? For they're the first to donate to it and the favorites of the pastor or priest!  In fact, what they say is approved by the clergyman, on even moral issues!  Such is the atrocious and blatant hypocrisy in the church of which, Christ is Head.

When I see this, I get so miffed, particularly because they're Christian; and also on the pastors and priests because they meander to the perversity of these people just because they have the money, looking beyond the fact that they don't live right lives!  Even small time preachers like me or other stalwarts of God aren't above board for the evil we harbor!  Therefore, I feel pity for the people who're subject to our 'oh-so-right' sermons or preaching.  For all of us, Christ has a terse message: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees (the duplicators, the hypocrites and the con-artists) you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven for there's no place for such. I remind myself too of the personal need to be holy and shun hypocrisy while teaching that which I don't practice.  Reminds me of what Jesus said, 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.'  Mt. 23:2,3.