4th February 2012
2 Timothy 1:8. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (NIV)
During the past 2000 years there has been many pictures painted of Pilate questioning Christ. Pilate was a rich man and held a prestigious position as a worldly judge; however he is always portrayed with a worried and troubled look on his face. Christ was the eternal judge, and although he had very little in the way of worldly possessions to give Him dignity and despite and angry crowd baying for His life, He is always portrayed as calm and imposing.
Pilate had two major questions confronting him and these troubled him severely. The first question on his mind was, “This man Jesus, what wrong has he done?” Then of course, “What will I do with Him?”
As an earthly judge Pilate did not know what he should do. So he ended up saying, “I can find no wrong in this man, Christ, however take Him and crucify Him.” Our first reaction is to judge Pilate harshly for his actions. Before we do though let’s remember that we also are often guilty of the same offence. How many times do we find it easier to say great things about God, than to actually do good things for Him? In actual fact, many times, our words say one thing and our actions say something else. We simply lack the courage to stand up for our God.
God will never ask us to do the impossible. On the other hand He wants all of us for our own good. Whoever we are we need God, and He has made it so that He uses men and women of every calling and trade to extend His kingdom. No matter what our place in life is, He expects us to be living sermons, living our testimonies each day that we live, so that daily we portray out partnership with Him. He requires us to prove it with kindness, generosity, and a forgiving spirit toward all others.
At a recent Bible in School class, the teacher was telling the children about the story of Lazarus and the rich man. You’ll remember that Lazarus was very poor shameful beggar at the gates to the city; and the rich man, with his expensive clothes and flash jewellery, daily passed by the beggar with never speaking a kind word. As we read on we find that Lazarus lived in perfect peace and happiness in heaven, while the rich man lived in torment apart from God in hell. When the story was finished, the teacher asked, “Who would you rather be, the rich man or Lazarus?”
One young fellow quickly answered, “I would like to be the rich man when I live and Lazarus when I die.”
Sounds typical of people to take the easy way out. Mark my words, it happens to be impossible. We cannot serve God and wealth
To Ponder
Review the past day and question whether it was lived for your good or God’s?
WRITTEN BY JOHN GUMMER
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