Tuesday the 22nd

John 12

 

 ⁴²Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

 

I am sure I will not get the full point out of this scripture, but every time I read it, I think of the same thing…….we really have not changed as a people have we? I talk to people all of the time who know Christ, they even claim to put their faith in Him, yet they will not talk about Him in public….they will not give Him the glory. We have moved to a place in society, all in the name of inclusion, where we all to often will not mention our faith. The President is hesitant to put up a nativity, you are hard pressed to find a Merry Christmas sign posted anywhere, and most conversations end with Happy Holidays. Just the mention of scripture will get you “the look”….you know the one I am talking about. Eyes cut to one side of the head, and an eyebrow goes up….the look that screams….”you’re not a Jesus freak are you” …..While back then the fear was being put out of the church, today the fear is getting grouped in with the church! We have nothing to fear, and only salvation to gain! We need a ground swell of people finding their voice. If we are going to help heal the world, we have to start by showing the world that speaking of our faith is an everyday occurrence. Think of it this way. If you had a best friend that went everywhere with you, you lived together, you ate together, you went to parties together (there is one to think about)….well….. you would talk a lot about that friend wouldn’t you? You would want the people you meet to know your friend….I mean that would be awkward wouldn’t it? Just having a conversation with someone and never acknowledging the person that came with you…….but that is what we do…..many of us don’t even introduce our friend to our family! Christ is with you always. Don’t deny Him His introduction. Worried about how some people might take you? Worried that they might talk trash about you…..First, good for you if they do, I can’t think of anything better to be persecuted about! Second…..it is my experience that those types of people are going to do it anyway, no matter how hard you try to win their praise! This Christmas season make it a point to introduce your friend, you might not win all of the praise from some of the people that you come in contact with, but you will win the praise of God. I don’t know about you, but I would rather have God’s praise, than the entire world’s!

 

In Christ’s name,

Brian