Word@Work 022 - Mark 2:23-24
Published: Tue, 12/11/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 2:23-24 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the cornfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some ears of corn. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" (NIV)
Ever felt you are being watched? It is a simple fact that Jesus and His people are more noticed than you think. If you are learning how to live the Jesus way - people will definitely be watching.
Religious people are often the most critical. Religion, outside of Christ, always invents rules that God had never intended ... because it is easier to make up little rules we might be able to keep, than to submit everything to God. So when Jesus and His disciples did not obey religious micro-rules, the press were out, snapping at His heels.
When unbelieving moralists start to be critical, be encouraged - at least it will spark the conversation. Although moralists come in all shapes and sizes - they all sincerely believe that they can be good by keeping the rules. Sincere but wrong! We can never be good like that, because we will even break our own rules - let alone God's.
That is why we need Jesus, who loves us as we are and wants to save us ... from a life of spiritual and moral failure (despite all our little rules and good intentions). It is a challenging message to give to our friends, but it is the only one that will get them into His Kingdom. So when the negative comment comes, let it spark the Jesus-conversation that could change somebody's life for ever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to think and talk above the level of religion and what we do - to speak about Jesus and who He is. For His Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Ever felt you are being watched? It is a simple fact that Jesus and His people are more noticed than you think. If you are learning how to live the Jesus way - people will definitely be watching.
Religious people are often the most critical. Religion, outside of Christ, always invents rules that God had never intended ... because it is easier to make up little rules we might be able to keep, than to submit everything to God. So when Jesus and His disciples did not obey religious micro-rules, the press were out, snapping at His heels.
When unbelieving moralists start to be critical, be encouraged - at least it will spark the conversation. Although moralists come in all shapes and sizes - they all sincerely believe that they can be good by keeping the rules. Sincere but wrong! We can never be good like that, because we will even break our own rules - let alone God's.
That is why we need Jesus, who loves us as we are and wants to save us ... from a life of spiritual and moral failure (despite all our little rules and good intentions). It is a challenging message to give to our friends, but it is the only one that will get them into His Kingdom. So when the negative comment comes, let it spark the Jesus-conversation that could change somebody's life for ever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to think and talk above the level of religion and what we do - to speak about Jesus and who He is. For His Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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