Wherefore laying aside all malice,and all guile,
and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
as new born babes, desire the sincere milk
of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God,
and precious, ye also, as lively stones,
are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable
to God by Jesus Christ.
1Peter 2:1-5
A problem that seems inherent in man is to judge others without truth: that is, to judge, to deem a person this or that without taking time to know the why's, or how's, or what's, why a person thinks, or acts the way they do or say the things they say. I hate to admit this fact as I too have been one to judge wrongly, that is, to judge without all the facts. Having come to understand that I have this problem I must then do something to correct the problem: this is true of you as well. When we come to know that this is an inherent problem, we go to find knowledge as how to correct that problem and the best source of knowledge about man is Scripture. An area that is so often judge harshly is about a person' faith. Here then is a problem: we cannot see into a person' heart. There is a way though to give us aid to come to know the validity of our judgment about another' faith is by their actions that they exhibit. Unfortunately, another problem exist: we are limited when we come to human evaluation. There is One who judges, evaluates and is not limited and that is God's evaluation for He has the ability to see into a person' heart, to weigh its motives. Here is another problem: we act as if God doesn't care about motive as long as the action is correct. This is a problem when cultural or liberal Christians are observed as they seem to be doing "good" things, even worshiping, singing, etc., all seeming to be of God. Here is a truth: correct action can be done without proper motive. Also true is that rarely will actions suffer when the motivation behind them is false. What people do is to work harder even better when their motivations are proper. But if we act out our faith due to a sense of duty, something done within cultural or liberal Christians, but also can be done by Authentic Christians revealing that there is some defect.
People also seem to have an inherent desire to compare, to compare things as well as people. An example is when a comparison is made between a non-believing person, one who reflects a naturally positive and friendly character between a person of faith who is so offensive by nature that a person comes to enjoy the friendship of the non-believer than a person of faith. This is true far too often and leads us to wonder: why is there never, or heard of, a contrast between people of faith, people of Authentic Christian Faith who are exhibiting the character of Jesus Christ and those who do not care anything about character. Remember: character is formed out of a person's beliefs, formed with outside influences all leading to a character exhibited and has an impact on others, either good or bad. If a person' faith, a person who has come to Authentic Christian Faith what is exhibited is that this faith has a positive impact on character and exhibited in their exercise of this positive Authentic Christian Faith everyday in all circumstances.
A person does not have all that they will have when they accept, repent and follow Jesus. People bring into their relationship with another, people in their congregations, and with their relationship all sorts of baggage. That is why Peter spoke about growth as noted in the opening passage. A person seeking truth, seeking Authentic Christian Faith will take the time to grow and this by the simple knowledge provided in Scripture and they do not add to the words but allow Scripture to speak for itself. During the time of growth, a time that does not come immediately, even takes time, but if a person is growing following and exhibiting the character of Jesus Christ becomes more and more Authentic. It is during this time of growth, especially in the beginning of a person' growth that they are vulnerable to error. Peter speaks of Paul and of his suffering under those who would disclaim his mission, his conversion, his faith but stood faithful to write what the Holy Spirit inspired him to write; therefore, we should take special attention to what Peter wrote: "...as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2Peter 3:16-18).
Let us not forget: people, even though seem to have sunny dispositions may be struggling with life. This is a challenge for those Authentic Christians that belong to a congregation to take notice, maybe they see a change in character, or other things that show disappointment, or a death in family, things that we can only see if we are looking. Remember, we do not go to Church to just hear a sermon, to go to Sunday School, speak with only our close friends (a form of a click); we go to Church to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ and we take time to know them to speak and listen to them and aid them wherever we can. This is Authentic Christianity exhibited as it should be and this is what seems to be missing in too many Churches, people go to Church looking as though they are going to the park, to the lake, dressed in jeans, hair unkempt, allowing their children to dress as though they too are going to a party and then seem to get mad if the sermon went too long, as if they had more important things to do. Well......It is time to change from the inside/out, to become not one who is making comparison about those who do not believe, or those who believe differently, while this may need to be done, the first is to care for your brothers and sisters in Christ who attend Church with you and to ensure that visitors or met, spoken with, exhibiting true agape love. We do not do these respectful and ethical things out of duty, as do others, but because we are exhibiting the love of Jesus Christ, our motives are not for ourselves but to bring Jesus Christ to others. Do not wait for others to do this: you do it!
Be not thou envious against evil men,
neither desire to be with them.
For their heart studieth destruction,
and their lips talk of mischief.
Through wisdom is an house builded;
and by understanding it is established.
And by knowledge shall the chambers be
filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge
increaseth strength.
Proverbs 24:1-5
Care for you house: then too others
Richard L. Crumb
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