25/03/10

Light repels darkness, does not become one with it

Matthew 12:9 - And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:


Many of the true Christians are deceived into becoming namesake Christian by the lack of understanding the ways of Jesus.

The Bible tells us to be the Light unto this world and light is required where there is darkness; we find that Jesus went to the houses of sinners, Pharisees, tax collectors etc. Therefore we find many Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit and whose eyes are open to the Truth still hanging around people and congregation which shame the Name of Christ.

There is no harm is going to these congregations and having social relationship with them; Jesus too went to their synagogues and houses. But we fail to see that Jesus although going there, did not become a part of them. You will see in scriptures where He has even pulled up the host of the house in which He visited. Even on His visits to the synagogues He would shake their understandings and believes. He used to correct them sometimes very gently and sometimes harshly, but was never mute to their nonsense.

Light repels darkness; it does not become one with darkness. We are told to be Light unto others and if we do not help others to overcome the darkness, what kind of Light are we?

Many of us lose our blessings just because we sit with these people (being silent to the wrongs they are doing even when we see them), stand with these people (approving of them even although not doing what they are doing) and walk with these people (supporting them indirectly while they are misrepresenting Christ).

It does not mean we need to rebuke each and everyone at each and every instant we see them make mistakes. We need to understand our God is a kind and loving God and since we imitate Him, we need to guide with kindness, love and mercy. If God had to just forgive us for our sins then after the death and resurrection He would not have given us His Spirit to work in us and change us.

We need to imitate Jesus in full and like Jesus was kind, merciful and used words according to the heart conditions of people yet correcting them, so also we should be like Christ, not compromising Christ and the purpose of Christ.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord God, You knew that mankind will never know your ways to imitate You, therefore when You came as man You showed us the way to live a life of righteousness and truth. As man Jesus in everything and every way You taught us how to walk your way. Lord Jesus, by your Word and your Spirit guide us to be as gentle, kind, loving, forgiving and yet being true to your purpose...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Luke 7:37-39, 44-46
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Matthew 5:19-20
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 16:11-12
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 2:15-22
15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Matthew 5:12-16
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Psalms 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)