Too Seriously!

Every morning I listen to my second favorite pastor. This morning he was preaching on the fact that Jesus is God and God can not approve or be around sin on any level. So when we speak of God's forgiveness and His ability to forget about our sin, it does not mean that we will get to avoid the consequences of that sin. Rodney, my favorite pastor, said something along these same line last night. I think that God is trying to bring home a point to me.

Acts 7:42

The Message (MSG)

42 “God wasn’t at all pleased; but he let them do it their way, worship every new god that came down the pike—and live with the consequences...

We as Christians sometimes think that we have a free ride with the freewill that God has given us. We can live out the humanness in ourselves, ask forgiveness, and then think that since God has forgiven us nothing will come of the actions we have done. So we talk about others, we judge others, we even lie, steal or do any number of things thinking that we are above the natural cause and effect of living on this earth. 

Not true!!! For every action there is a reaction. It is the Butterfly effect that Rodney preached about a couple of weeks ago. 


But even as I type this I am reminded that yes there are consequences for each sin but it is not up to us to worry about anyone except ourselves. We have gotten so off track lately with thinking about what is right and what is wrong, or who said what and who should be punished for what they said or did. 

TV stations, government and even Christians and Christian organizations have taken it upon themselves to be the judge of all.  We are choosing what is right or what is wrong, forgetting we have all sinned and done wrong and that there is no wrong that is greater than another. We have been commanded to love our neighbors. Not judge their actions. Just love them. This scripture from Micah says this very thing....


Micah 6:8
The Message (MSG)
8 But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

I love the last line of this. "Don't take yourself too seriously-take God seriously." Let's stop making ourselves the judges for all and relax and let God take care of what needs taken care of.

As Christmas and the New Year approaches let's truly love everyone no matter what. Then peace could dominate this world and not hate. Our churches could be full, our neighborhoods could be safe, and we as Christians could really be living out the faith that we claim we have.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a very peaceful New Year!!


Blessings!