Frankenbob says:
"Me put lampshade on my head!"
Matthew 5:13-19, 7:1-4
Psalm 133
"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole
body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole
body will be filled with darkness. If then the light in you is
darkness, how great is the darkness(Matthew 6:22-23)!"
There are many atheists in this country. In fact, a great many of
them exist in furrydom. I've talked with quite a few in chat rooms and
in e-mail. Often, without me even asking, they tell me why they became
an atheist. Do you know what the reason is? Hypocrisy.
Atheists see the past, and think the future of Christianity only
holds more evil and hypocrisy. They see all the terrible acts that
Christians have done throughout history. They see the Klu Klux Klan.
They see our greedy imperialism. They see how Christians enslaved
their fellow, `less civilized' human beings in other countries,
sometimes raping and torturing them. They see the inquisition and the
crusades. They see the pedophile priests. Atheists see how Christians
have slaughtered millions of people in the name of Christ, and it
turns them away.
Many of the things Christians have done throughout history are
evil. We can't deny that. But atheists use this as a reason for not
believing in Christ. Why is this? Because we are the only Christ that
most of the world will ever see. Therefore, atheists confuse us with
Christ. They become dissappointed when we fail to be Christ.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that we are the light of the world.
The world doesn't know Christ's perfection. They don't know about his
love. All the world sees is us. Therefore, we can't afford to be
hypocrites. We must examine ourselves to see if we are behaving like
Christ, and not be quick to point fingers(Matthew 7:1-4). Christ
indeed covers all our sins with his precious blood. But the people
driven from the faith end up missing out on this gift. So watch your
steps, and do not yoke yourself together with the wrong crowd.
Dear Jesus, you tell us that we are the light of the world. Help us to
keep the light of your truth glowing brightly within our hearts. Do
not let us dim the light with sinful and hypocritical behavior. Lord,
you have made us your representitives on earth. The world doesn't
understand your perfection and holiness. When they see us, they expect
to see you, which dissappoints them. Help us to live up to your image
so that all may know your love. Help others to accept the fact that it
is our lack of perfection that brings us together in your name, not
our own holiness. Amen.