Friday 8 September 2017

Sometimes no matter what

Sometimes no matter what
Jesus said,
He who has ears, let him hear.
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 
“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’  
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’  
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”Matthew 11:15-19.
Jesus here speaking to the criticism of the religious leaders of the day compares himself with John the Baptist. John and Jesus were quite different in their styles of preaching.
John wore clothing made of camel hair with a leather belt, and ate locust and wild honey. He called people to repent and be baptized.
By contrast Jesus was the norm for the day. He dressed normally, attended parties and weddings. Jesus also called people to repentance while at the same time sitting down with anyone who would listen to him.
Both men were doing the will of God but it was a no win situation with respect to the religious authorities of the day. As Jesus put it,
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”“.
From this example it is clear that sometimes no matter how you present the message of salvation you will be criticized.
The same is true today as it was in the day of Jesus and John.
Today we have a myriad of churches with different styles and ways of presenting the gospel yet people will not even consider the message of Christ.
The key for the believer in Christ however is this. To do what Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
We are to present the gospel of Christ in love. In whatever way we can. It is then up to the believer to do with it as he or she wishes.
Are you?
Please think about it.

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