In a conversation with a friend, some time ago, he mentioned how he thought that American society was becoming split into a group of “haves” and a group of “have-nots.” After giving it some thought, I don’t particularly agree, but I think there is a more significant gap developing. I think there is a divide between those who know right and wrong and are striving to do what is right, and those who also know right and wrong, but are looking for excuses to justify doing what they know is wrong. This gap is at work at all income levels.

Hebrews 10:16 says, “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,”

God has put his guidelines for right and wrong in our hearts and minds. We can sense these rules, but often they go against what we really want to do, the temptations of our earthly lives. We can try to convince ourselves that certain behaviors are okay because they are legal, they are common practice, or no one will know, but God knows, and it is his rules by which we should measure ourselves.

Dear Lord, Thank you for providing the guidelines for doing the right thing, in our hearts. Help us follow these guidelines and overcome the temptations that would pull us away from your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The last two days, I wrote about the three reasons I believe people do not accept Jesus Christ as their God. 1) Arrogance. 2) Ignorance. 3) A Lifestyle conflict.

We covered Arrogance and Ignorance; Today we’ll cover the third reason, Lifestyle conflict.

It is hard to fault a non-believer for being turned off from Christianity, when the only thing he or she knows or hears about Christianity is “your lifestyle is evil and it is why you will go to hell if you don’t repent and accept Jesus.” In a way, it is like someone inviting you to join their club, but they criticize and humiliate you first; Not very appealing.

We can read Romans 1 which lists out all the bad things people do and how wicked they are and think that people today are just the same. We must then read Romans 2 which begins, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.”

Jesus did not approach ordinary people with judgment. Jesus says in John 3:17, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” We need to remember Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard”

Of course there is a laundry list of bad, sinful behaviors, and we cannot change the fact that they are wrong. However changing those behaviors is not a pre-requisite for being accepted by God. He accepts us with our short-comings; We only need to let Him. Paul writes in Romans 5:8, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We need to love people with their baggage and let God bring them to realize where they need to change. (Disclaimer…For Christian leaders, however, there is a different standard which I’ll cover another time.)

Dear Lord, Thank you for accepting each of us with our failings and disobedience to you. The closer we become to you, the more we desire to do your will and turn from our sinful behaviors. Help us follow Jesus’ example and invite people, to know you, with your love, not judgment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yesterday I started writing about the three reasons I believe people do not accept Jesus Christ as their God. 1) Arrogance. 2) Ignorance. 3) A Lifestyle conflict.

We covered Arrogance yesterday; Today we’ll cover the second reason, Ignorance.

This is not too controversial. Unless someone brings the Good News of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ, how can people find it? Since the start of Christianity, missions, bringing the Good News to the far corners of the world, have been a major Christian activity, and they still are. However, it is rather sad that in the developed world where a couple generations ago nearly everyone was exposed to, and even taught the basics of Christianity, there are millions of people that have only been in Churches for funerals and weddings. There are many children in the United States that have never heard of the concept of God. We need missions right here.

Many people today are unaware of the Good News, “ignorant” and just need someone like Phillip in the story of the Ethiopian in Acts 8:30, “Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.”

TV Preachers tend to get criticized from both the conservative Christian leaders and anti-Christian people and some of the criticism may be warranted. However it only takes a couple words of the story of God’s grace, placed on the fertile heart of someone who has never heard it, to open them up to the work of the Holy Spirit. The TV is a great way to reach many people. Other technologies, including the Internet, and social media allow any of us to conduct missions right from our computer or smart phone and try to overcome the lack of knowledge of God’s story of Grace.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us the ability to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Help us remember the words of the Hymn, “If you cannot speak like angels, If you cannot preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus, You can say He died for all.” and remember there are those who have not yet heard your Good News. We can share a couple words that may open the door of their heart to Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I read in a book recently that people do not allow themselves to accept Jesus Christ for one of three reasons. 1) Arrogance. They think they are too smart, too cool, too something else to submit to God’s teaching, and don’t need it. 2) Ignorance. They have just not been given the opportunity to accept, or don’t realize the peace and joy that Christ’s salvation offers. 3) They have a Lifestyle conflict. Meaning they have a lifestyle that is biblically wrong and they don’t want to accept that fact and give it up. I tend to agree with this author’s idea.

I am going to write about these three items in my next messages.

Proverbs 16:18 writes, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” We don’t use the word Haughty much, but the dictionary defines it as, “disdainfully proud; snobbish.” I think this description fits very well the Pharisees that persecuted Jesus and the disciples. It also describes many modern day atheists. In their minds, they are so smart about the natural world, that anything supernatural is ridiculous. (How humorous it is that they are so smart about the things God created.)

Regardless, however, of the disrespect these people show toward us as Christians, our responsibility is to love them anyway, and pray that they will open their hearts to the Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us the ability to accept Jesus Christ as our savior. We all can occasionally be susceptible to pride, especially when things are going our way. Help us always to remember to counter this pride by thanking you for our blessings. Help us also to pray for those we know who have not accepted you, and demonstrate with our lives the joy of being a Christian. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This message arrives Sunday morning, the traditional day for attending church services.

Why do we attend church services?

The clearest couple passages, I have found, in the bible on the subject are Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another,” and Acts 2:42, ” All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

When I was younger, I remember people saying the point of church is “not for you to get something out of it, It is for you to worship God.” I agree that worshiping is one of the reasons we go to church, but there are many reasons and benefits to attending. Going to church is also about us learning the scripture, being inspired by the word as it explained to us in relevant ways, praying as a group, confessing and receiving forgiveness, and enjoying the friendly company and comfort provided by our spiritual family.

We should remember that our being there is as much about what it means to others as what it means to us. You will never know what that handshake, sharing of the peace, extra voice in the prayer for those in need, or smile may mean to another person.

If you have a good church and church family, make a point of participating, if you do not have a good church, find one, you will not regret it.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the love you show us and that we can show others through our churches and congregations. Help us remember to be regular attendees, giving glory to you, hope and help to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.