The enemy wants us to take our eyes off Jesus and get wrapped up in laws and doctrine. That’s exactly what happened to the Pharisees. They felt set apart, chosen because they knew the Torah so well and followed it ever so strictly. They even went so far as to expand the law. Public condemnation ensued, some were banned from society. Christianity does not make us immune to pride, we have a cunning enemy. Our motives can turn on a dime.
We don’t become Christians because we fear death, are afraid of hell or wish to live an abundant life (as the world sees it). Or even to eventually receive a bejeweled crown and dance on streets of gold. A Christian should have one goal, to become a little more like Jesus every day.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33
My take is Jesus wants us to live the Kingdom life now. As He did. To do that you must get to know him in his Word. Let it affect your heart so that your motive in everything is love God, love people. The rest will take care of itself.
Peggy did it, she lived out the Gospel. She forgave and loved someone who didn’t deserve it (in human eyes). There’s no better witness.
You’re so right, it’s almost a reflex reaction to be offended and angry. Social media will open your eyes to that fact. We cannot forget that some are further along in the race Paul speaks of. We are to be an encouragement to those just beginning the race. Or those who’ve strayed off course. Many times simply by the life we lead: love in action is far more effective than platitudes.
If Peggy forgave her attacker I can only assume the same was true with her family. I hope a reconciliation took place so her family could see the real Christ (in her).
Some folks forget the part about judging. Some folks forget the part about forgiving. Some folks forget the part about loving. some folks forget the part about “Do unto others…”But you don’t.
Christ’s love in action, I believe, is the point of your story today.
Never let hypocrites get under your skin. If they are in church, good, maybe one day the message will take. The Apostle Paul, evidently, had struggles that resembled hypocrisy. In his words from the New Living Translation, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
Honest believers can admit to the same. Jesus’ grace and mercy and forgiveness are the only coverings I am aware of in this ongoing battle with our base behavior.
The thing is that there’ll be no hypocrites in Heaven. Those family members and church members who treated “Peggy” like they did, unless they had asked God to forgive them for what they did to “Peggy”, they will have to answer to Him for what they did.
I do, sometimes, get concerned about mixed messages in your blog but then I think of how broken I am having to ask for forgiveness multiple times a day and it doesn’t really concerns me.
Peggy’s actions are pure. They are a living example of restorative justice, an amazing concept where forgiveness of the person who wronged you brings you eternal peace.
Once again you hit “the bullseye” with your remarks. It is a shame that as Christians, we who have been the recipient of love, mercy and grace are so reluctant to extend love, grace and mercy to others and so quick to forget that the blood of Jesus covers other peoples sin, just as it covered ours.
I am glad that at the end of the day, that it is God who will have the last word and not other people.
Thanks for being a better Christian than you or others give you credit for and for reminding us that God loves the broken, scared and messed up.
Amen, Sean. As I read the passages, Jesus never condemned anyone for their belief, didn’t ask anyone to profess their faith, or tell anyone they were going to hell. When someone had doubts or little faith he encouraged them. He did tell people to go and do things. Even when the disciples were a little shaky in their faith, he sent them out to do things for other people. When his cousin John sent people to ask whether he was the one to follow or should they look for someone else, he said go tell him what him what you see and hear us doing - caring for the sick, restoring sight, feeding the hungry.
Sounds like Jesus wrapped his arms around this woman many years ago. Surely he would’ve seen his own mother’s story in this woman. His mother would’ve been in the same circumstances or worse, had not Joseph decided to quietly marry her.
We’ll probably all be surprised by who shows up with us in the company of hypocrites when that day comes
Throughout history (and encouraged by Satan) people from the Church (not necessarily of the Church) have taken it upon themselves to judge people at a time when they should love as Jesus would have loved. Years ago I told a friend that the biggest problem with organized religion was that there were people involved. I fight everyday to throw off my human tendency/first reaction to judge others. My Faith and love of Jesus Christ tells me to love them first and foremost as Jesus does. Being and acting human is the ultimate sin foisted upon us by Satan himself. Peggy was more Christ-like than her condemners in many, many ways and I am sure she felt the presence of Christ's love walking with her everyday.
As a parting thought, when you wrote this and when we read it, did we first love the people who judged Peggy or did we not judge them ourselves - Jesus still loved them, forgave them for this terrible sin, and died for them nailed to a cross with thorns on His head as humans walked by scorning and cursing Him. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do". WWJD
As they say in the beer commercial "Love ya man"!!
This thought immediately came to mind: 'You cannot treat people like garbage and worship God at the same time'. I've never read a Bible, but surely there's a passage in there somewhere that echoes the sentiment. 🌵🧡🌵
Wow! Good answer to a delusional lady. If she’s an example of who to meet in Heaven, well I’ll stay with the good kind people left behind. A few words spring to mind. Judge not lest ye be judged, and Don’t judge anyone until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins. I pray Ms Townsend recovers from her liverish attack.
I agree, Norma. Delusional lady is right. I know so many of these people. 😩. Hypocrites they are and don't even see it. They are poor stewards of what I understand it takes to be a good "Christian". Makes me run the other way. Preachy, they are. So many tell you if you don't believe as they do, you will go to hell. I don't like to waste my time with people like that. I simply tell them, hey, for me to be worried about going to hell, I would have to believe in it first. Lol
A very kind response to a judgmental letter. Recently had this same experience at family gathering and the could only think of the the words “judge not lest ye be judged” and “actions speak louder than words”. My goal is not to “get to heaven” but to live my life to the best of my imperfect abilities.
Remember Jesus said “why do you call me Lord Lord-I never knew you”. Sadly-the hypocrites you describe may hear just that as opposed to what the repentant thief heard, “today you will be with me in paradise” it’s always a matter of the heart. It’s not the hypocrites in heaven we want to avoid-it’s to be included with the thief in His presence
What a loving and true heart Peggy and her son have. I believe that all of that judgment and damnation stuff has separated more people from knowing and showing true love than anything else. Love you Sean.
It’s tragic what happened to Peggy, but Peggy rose above her situation. She (& her son), showed her rapist love when she took him in and cared for him. Wow! That’s exactly what we are supposed to do…….LOVE one another, period. God’s greatest commandment is that we “love one another”. Loving others reflects God’s love.
Unfortunately, there are hypocrites everywhere, not just “in churches”. Even in this thread. When we condemn and judge the so called “Christians”, who turned away from Peggy, we become just like them……..condemning, judgmental hypocrites. We’re no better than they are. Remember: Love, Love, Love.
The enemy wants us to take our eyes off Jesus and get wrapped up in laws and doctrine. That’s exactly what happened to the Pharisees. They felt set apart, chosen because they knew the Torah so well and followed it ever so strictly. They even went so far as to expand the law. Public condemnation ensued, some were banned from society. Christianity does not make us immune to pride, we have a cunning enemy. Our motives can turn on a dime.
We don’t become Christians because we fear death, are afraid of hell or wish to live an abundant life (as the world sees it). Or even to eventually receive a bejeweled crown and dance on streets of gold. A Christian should have one goal, to become a little more like Jesus every day.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33
My take is Jesus wants us to live the Kingdom life now. As He did. To do that you must get to know him in his Word. Let it affect your heart so that your motive in everything is love God, love people. The rest will take care of itself.
Peggy did it, she lived out the Gospel. She forgave and loved someone who didn’t deserve it (in human eyes). There’s no better witness.
Beautiful and beautifully said
You’re so right, it’s almost a reflex reaction to be offended and angry. Social media will open your eyes to that fact. We cannot forget that some are further along in the race Paul speaks of. We are to be an encouragement to those just beginning the race. Or those who’ve strayed off course. Many times simply by the life we lead: love in action is far more effective than platitudes.
If Peggy forgave her attacker I can only assume the same was true with her family. I hope a reconciliation took place so her family could see the real Christ (in her).
Our pride is only skin deep, the evil one only has to scratch the surface for access.
‘Well meaning and poorly informed’. Humility and grace will follow if we can just remember those few words.
Some folks forget the part about judging. Some folks forget the part about forgiving. Some folks forget the part about loving. some folks forget the part about “Do unto others…”But you don’t.
Christ’s love in action, I believe, is the point of your story today.
Never let hypocrites get under your skin. If they are in church, good, maybe one day the message will take. The Apostle Paul, evidently, had struggles that resembled hypocrisy. In his words from the New Living Translation, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
Honest believers can admit to the same. Jesus’ grace and mercy and forgiveness are the only coverings I am aware of in this ongoing battle with our base behavior.
I have a friend that says..".but for the Grace of God go I." That works for me too.
Peace and Love to All from Birmingham 🙏💞
The thing is that there’ll be no hypocrites in Heaven. Those family members and church members who treated “Peggy” like they did, unless they had asked God to forgive them for what they did to “Peggy”, they will have to answer to Him for what they did.
I do, sometimes, get concerned about mixed messages in your blog but then I think of how broken I am having to ask for forgiveness multiple times a day and it doesn’t really concerns me.
Peggy’s actions are pure. They are a living example of restorative justice, an amazing concept where forgiveness of the person who wronged you brings you eternal peace.
Once again you hit “the bullseye” with your remarks. It is a shame that as Christians, we who have been the recipient of love, mercy and grace are so reluctant to extend love, grace and mercy to others and so quick to forget that the blood of Jesus covers other peoples sin, just as it covered ours.
I am glad that at the end of the day, that it is God who will have the last word and not other people.
Thanks for being a better Christian than you or others give you credit for and for reminding us that God loves the broken, scared and messed up.
Amen, John. You really nailed it with this comment!
Amen, Sean. As I read the passages, Jesus never condemned anyone for their belief, didn’t ask anyone to profess their faith, or tell anyone they were going to hell. When someone had doubts or little faith he encouraged them. He did tell people to go and do things. Even when the disciples were a little shaky in their faith, he sent them out to do things for other people. When his cousin John sent people to ask whether he was the one to follow or should they look for someone else, he said go tell him what him what you see and hear us doing - caring for the sick, restoring sight, feeding the hungry.
Sounds like Jesus wrapped his arms around this woman many years ago. Surely he would’ve seen his own mother’s story in this woman. His mother would’ve been in the same circumstances or worse, had not Joseph decided to quietly marry her.
We’ll probably all be surprised by who shows up with us in the company of hypocrites when that day comes
Throughout history (and encouraged by Satan) people from the Church (not necessarily of the Church) have taken it upon themselves to judge people at a time when they should love as Jesus would have loved. Years ago I told a friend that the biggest problem with organized religion was that there were people involved. I fight everyday to throw off my human tendency/first reaction to judge others. My Faith and love of Jesus Christ tells me to love them first and foremost as Jesus does. Being and acting human is the ultimate sin foisted upon us by Satan himself. Peggy was more Christ-like than her condemners in many, many ways and I am sure she felt the presence of Christ's love walking with her everyday.
As a parting thought, when you wrote this and when we read it, did we first love the people who judged Peggy or did we not judge them ourselves - Jesus still loved them, forgave them for this terrible sin, and died for them nailed to a cross with thorns on His head as humans walked by scorning and cursing Him. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do". WWJD
As they say in the beer commercial "Love ya man"!!
Great response !!
This thought immediately came to mind: 'You cannot treat people like garbage and worship God at the same time'. I've never read a Bible, but surely there's a passage in there somewhere that echoes the sentiment. 🌵🧡🌵
“ how can you say you love God whom you have not seen, if you do not love your brother whom you see”
Wow! Good answer to a delusional lady. If she’s an example of who to meet in Heaven, well I’ll stay with the good kind people left behind. A few words spring to mind. Judge not lest ye be judged, and Don’t judge anyone until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins. I pray Ms Townsend recovers from her liverish attack.
I agree, Norma. Delusional lady is right. I know so many of these people. 😩. Hypocrites they are and don't even see it. They are poor stewards of what I understand it takes to be a good "Christian". Makes me run the other way. Preachy, they are. So many tell you if you don't believe as they do, you will go to hell. I don't like to waste my time with people like that. I simply tell them, hey, for me to be worried about going to hell, I would have to believe in it first. Lol
A very kind response to a judgmental letter. Recently had this same experience at family gathering and the could only think of the the words “judge not lest ye be judged” and “actions speak louder than words”. My goal is not to “get to heaven” but to live my life to the best of my imperfect abilities.
Remember Jesus said “why do you call me Lord Lord-I never knew you”. Sadly-the hypocrites you describe may hear just that as opposed to what the repentant thief heard, “today you will be with me in paradise” it’s always a matter of the heart. It’s not the hypocrites in heaven we want to avoid-it’s to be included with the thief in His presence
What a loving and true heart Peggy and her son have. I believe that all of that judgment and damnation stuff has separated more people from knowing and showing true love than anything else. Love you Sean.
Powerful example of love.
It’s tragic what happened to Peggy, but Peggy rose above her situation. She (& her son), showed her rapist love when she took him in and cared for him. Wow! That’s exactly what we are supposed to do…….LOVE one another, period. God’s greatest commandment is that we “love one another”. Loving others reflects God’s love.
Unfortunately, there are hypocrites everywhere, not just “in churches”. Even in this thread. When we condemn and judge the so called “Christians”, who turned away from Peggy, we become just like them……..condemning, judgmental hypocrites. We’re no better than they are. Remember: Love, Love, Love.