- Brennan Manning
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm -- neither hot nor cold -- I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
- Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)
The subject of hypocrisy is such a big deal and covers nearly all aspects of our life, so I'm dividing my thoughts on hypocrisy into many smaller posts. I don't know how many, exactly.
For now, I'm going to focus on the hypocrisy of Christians. Most of us are hypocrites. (Everyone is a hypocrite in some aspect, but I'm focusing on Christianity here.) Hypocrisy doesn't necessarily mean that we praise God on Sundays and then go back to our daily sinful lives. Hypocrisy can just be something small, such as saying we love Jesus yet not showing that love to others around us.
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thronbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
- Matthew 7:16-17 (NIV)
"Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it."
- Mark 11:13-14 (NIV)
Jesus curses the fig tree, not because He was upset he couldn't eat any figs, but because he was making an example of what he would do to lukewarm Christians. If we are trees, we must bear fruit. We are Christians, we must show that to others. It's not an effort we must really make, either. Sure, we should focus on helping others and showing love to others, but if we really are true believers in Jesus, if we truly love Jesus, then this love will come out of naturally, just as trees bearing fruit is a natural cycle.
Nearly all of us became Christians in one of two ways: We were born in a Christian family or we came to Jesus Christ in the times of our greatest struggles. Many people who are still Christians when born into it came to truly believe in the power of Jesus through a great struggle.
When in the midst of the struggle, we seek out Jesus for help for ourselves. We need Him to help us. And that's great. That's what Jesus wants. He wants us to look for Him through everything, not just when we need help. But we naturally seek out help when we are so down in the dirt we can't seem to get up on our own, and that's what Jesus uses to get our attention on Him.
How long has it been since then? A year? Two years? Three years? More? Are you still in that same situation, where all you do is still ask Him for help? Are all your prayers about yourself? Jesus, I need your help doing this. Jesus, please give me this, please give me that.
If you are, you must recognize that you are like the fig tree that doesn't bear any fruit. Yes, you believe that Jesus if your Savior. Yes, you believe in His almighty power. But if you truly love Jesus, if you truly understand the greatness of His power, then you would have faith.
"He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."
- Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
Do not worry. Right now, everyone is in the midst of some need, some struggle, something we need help with. It is okay to ask for Jesus for help. But there is more to this. You must have faith that Jesus will provide. Stop worrying, because Jesus will take complete care of you.
"“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.""
- Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV)
Always pray. I'm not saying you shouldn't pray about these things. But before, during, and after praying, have faith that God will provide. Have faith that He will take care of all your needs, and focus on having more of Jesus in your life. More of His love, more of His wisdom, more of His compassion, more of His grace and mercy. Pray that Jesus will open up your eyes, ears, and heart, and see everything around you in His light. Then, as a true follower of Jesus, as a fruit tree in His garden, you will come to bear fruit that is pleasing in the eyes of God.
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