Issue 1560 Mismatched January 30, 2025

As I was folding laundry and trying to pair up socks, I thought  about mismatches.

The world seems filled with people who self-identify as something other than their outward appearance. This phenomenon is far from new, but it seems to be more open and publicly accessible. 

It isn’t without its critics and causes many issues. What are the causes? How should we handle the situation? Even within the church, you may have encountered it for years without ever realizing it.

Now, I’m not speaking of what you are thinking.

The church is filled with people who claim to be Christians but don’t act as if they are and others who claim the name but have never been born again.

Now, all Christians are redeemed sinners who are works in progress. We all stumble and fall and need to live more Christ-like lives.

This is something beyond that.

Many so-called Christians intentionally hide their Christianity during the week and strive to live a godless life in front of friends and coworkers. To the world, they appear to be huge hypocrites (as indeed they are) and can turn people’s hearts from the message of the gospel.

Those who claim Christianity without knowing Jesus are self-deluded and harm themselves. They strive for godliness without the power of the Holy Spirit, and their efforts are in vain. In the end, they enter into destruction.

How are we to respond? Firstly, we need to recognize that changing these people isn’t within our power. Only God can change their hearts.

We can pray for and love them.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

We can be discerning without judgment and concentrate on our faith walk.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

Let us strive to be the best Christians we can be with God’s help and guidance. God will smooth out our rough edges and deal with the mismatches.

May we be known as people who, although imperfect, also love Jesus and others.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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