What I should have said

Quiz time. What where the three broad categories I presented on Sunday? You had to think about it didn’t you. That’s why ABFs are teaching the same book as I am preaching from. It is easy to sit in the pew and then walk away and not remember what the preacher said. To tell the truth, it took me a moment to remember what I preached myself. James says this, 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  James 1:22-25.

The evil one wants nothing more than for us to be hearers and not doers. What’s wrong with loving the things of the world? What harm is there with a little indulgence, a look, a taste, or a forbidden touch? Nothing at first. Sin always presents itself as good, desirable, and innocent. Surely, no one will get hurt? But sin is like rust, it corrodes, just a little at first. A little brush will remove it, but if not taken care of, the rust will eat all the way through until there is nothing left. Sin will eat your heart out in the end. 

I know what you’re thinking. A lot of unbelievers live in a perpetual love of the world and seem to flourish. If living meaningless and empty lives is fulfilling, then yes, but what is sown in the flesh dies with this world. What is done for God abides forever. It’s the little things for God that are important, a drink of water, an unpaid bill, encouragement, and yes, the preaching of the gospel. “Whatever we do for these little ones,” Jesus said, “we do for him.”

Look around today. Ask yourself, “what little kindness can I show someone in the name of Jesus?” Write a note, make a call, send a text or email. Maybe it’s forgiving someone a transgression, mending a relationship, confessing a sin, or loving an unlovable. Loving the world and the things in it, is to be blind to all the opportunities to love. They’re right in front of you. Go ahead, you can do it. I’m just saying.

Quiz time. What where the three broad categories I presented on Sunday? You had to think about it didn’t you. That’s why ABFs are teaching the same book as I am preaching from. It is easy to sit in the pew and then walk away and not remember what the preacher said. To tell the truth, it took me a moment to remember what I preached myself. James says this, 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  James 1:22-25.

The evil one wants nothing more than for us to be hearers and not doers. What’s wrong with loving the things of the world? What harm is there with a little indulgence, a look, a taste, or a forbidden touch? Nothing at first. Sin always presents itself as good, desirable, and innocent. Surely, no one will get hurt? But sin is like rust, it corrodes, just a little at first. A little brush will remove it, but if not taken care of, the rust will eat all the way through until there is nothing left. Sin will eat your heart out in the end. 

I know what you’re thinking. A lot of unbelievers live in a perpetual love of the world and seem to flourish. If living meaningless and empty lives is fulfilling, then yes, but what is sown in the flesh dies with this world. What is done for God abides forever. It’s the little things for God that are important, a drink of water, an unpaid bill, encouragement, and yes, the preaching of the gospel. “Whatever we do for these little ones,” Jesus said, “we do for him.”

Look around today. Ask yourself, “what little kindness can I show someone in the name of Jesus?” Write a note, make a call, send a text or email. Maybe it’s forgiving someone a transgression, mending a relationship, confessing a sin, or loving an unlovable. Loving the world and the things in it, is to be blind to all the opportunities to love. They’re right in front of you. Go ahead, you can do it. I’m just saying.