Thoughts for another day

Jan. 14, 2013.

Today's verse: Mt.15:8,9. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (KJV)

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

In the Gospels, you’re in a number of situations where Jesus tells how to act in particular situations, which hit you like a sledge-hammer because you suddenly realize what you had learnt for years and held in your heart as truth, isn’t so.  For example, let’s take ‘If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out…’  When you read this you wonder, should I pluck my eye out, how can that be for every time I sin with my eye…and then someone, maybe a pastor or priest or preacher, tells you, forget it, don’t take it literally (exactly as the words mean), Jesus didn’t mean that.  And they offer an advice, when you read the bible, you must learn what is to be taken literally and what is not.  But really, is there any scope for not taking things literally?  I don’t think so and I believe Jesus meant what He said, for sin is so distasteful to God, its better we lose our physical attributes than sin with them. 

But do you ever find a preacher preaching this?  No.  Simply because they have aligned to what may please people as they think that if they preach thus, they’ll not have many in their churches and then where will the funds come from? Fallacious thinking because it is God who provides, not men.  And sadly there’s another face to this, which is, there’re many who don’t even know the distinction and the implications of the Bible text.   Some also use such texts to develop their own standards for living as they find it beneficial to them and therefore thump it upon their congregations; which is why we have Jesus saying the above Word of Scripture.  Look at it carefully my friend for in it you’ll find the truth to the things you hear about God from those who are supposed to be telling you.

My caution to you will be: Do not be swayed by the oft repeated message of blessing and blessing which we receive from every source today, which though important isn’t as important as the well-being of your soul, for that is why Jesus came to earth and that should be our concern.  Take note and seek that which is right before God and you will be safe on the Day of Judgment.