Jesus Christ scolded the Pharisees for their hypocritical behaviors. He said “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them” (Luke 11:39-44).
Lesson:
The message of the cross (gospel) will not always be pleasant to people’s hearing, yet believers must not desist from preaching it for the conversion and salvation of human souls. Jehovah did not send Jesus into the world to come and tell us whatever we want to hear, but he sent him to tell us what we must do to inherit his eternal kingdom. Hence, all people must respect the gospel and celebrate it – even though it may sound uncomfortable! Also, Christians must ensure to preach factual Christianity – without selfishness.
Believers must teach and preach bible principles that will challenge people to comply with God’s laws so that they can be fit for his kingdom. Our preaching must not focus on receiving public endorsements or seeking personal gains. We must preach God’s truth as his Holy Spirit gives us utterances. We must emphasize the salvation of Jesus Christ as the only sure way of obtaining eternal life. No one will qualify for God’s kingdom except he/ she has confessed and accepted Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
Dear God, please make me a committed Christian who obeys your instructions and preaches unbiased gospel so that more people can be won into your kingdom. Don’t let my attention shift into aiming at receiving human endorsement or obtaining other selfish goals. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to share the gospel in a plain language that will edify the saints and convert sinners. Let my words and lifestyle coincide with the bible so that I can also remain qualified for your kingdom. Please let my efforts prosper your kingdom so that Christ’s mission on earth will not be in vain. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
