By Chi Chi
"Woe to you Scibes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs,which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity". (Matt.23:27-28).
Hmmm, whitewashed tombs? Dead men's bones? Filled with hypocrisy and evildoing? You will agree with me that these are not the words we normally associate ...with Jesus. These words sound so harsh, so emphatic, so blunt, like words borne out of anger. Why would Jesus speak in such a manner?
Actually Jesus had great respect for what some of the Pharisees were trying to do. He knew men like Nicodemus revered God and sincerely sought to follow His ways. But some others were merely interested in the outward show of holiness in the name of safeguarding traditions. These outward shows of piety were the things that triggered Jesus' harsh words to the Pharisees. This shows the deep hatred Jesus has for hypocrisy.
How easily we can fall into similar attitudes! We all have certain religious traditions and devotions that we treasure, but we sometimes disregard those who don't share our religious views or mode of worship. Sometimes we set certain standards of holiness for ourselves but we criticize those who are not living up to it. In our zeal to follow Jesus, we sometimes add on obligations we don't need to add and we condemn those who don't share our views or worship God in the same way.
This is a call to all the Deborahs in the house to worship God in spirit and in truth. Enough of the outward show of piety. Someone once said Nigerians are religious but not God fearing/not spiritual. We like people to know that we go to church, attend prayer meetings and engage in the 'things of God' in church, but how many of us actually allow the Gospel message to transform us to better people in the society (I mean outside the church)? How many of us will not just glance through this article as usual and
say by default: "Thank you sis for sharing"? How many of us will actually allow this message (and other admonitions we receive) to actually bear fruits in us- fruits that will transform generations?
Jesus is saying today that His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His law is Love. May we see His admonition as a caution to us not to substitute His ways for ours. May we never forget charity and mercy as we seek to live according to His will!
Happy new month and a beautiful week I wish you all!!!!!
How easily we can fall into similar attitudes! We all have certain religious traditions and devotions that we treasure, but we sometimes disregard those who don't share our religious views or mode of worship. Sometimes we set certain standards of holiness for ourselves but we criticize those who are not living up to it. In our zeal to follow Jesus, we sometimes add on obligations we don't need to add and we condemn those who don't share our views or worship God in the same way.
This is a call to all the Deborahs in the house to worship God in spirit and in truth. Enough of the outward show of piety. Someone once said Nigerians are religious but not God fearing/not spiritual. We like people to know that we go to church, attend prayer meetings and engage in the 'things of God' in church, but how many of us actually allow the Gospel message to transform us to better people in the society (I mean outside the church)? How many of us will not just glance through this article as usual and
say by default: "Thank you sis for sharing"? How many of us will actually allow this message (and other admonitions we receive) to actually bear fruits in us- fruits that will transform generations?
Jesus is saying today that His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His law is Love. May we see His admonition as a caution to us not to substitute His ways for ours. May we never forget charity and mercy as we seek to live according to His will!
Happy new month and a beautiful week I wish you all!!!!!
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