Pondering what keeps Christians from witnessing. The Lord Jesus came to the Temple to worship and found the money changers filling the holy site with their wares to sell. Exchanging commodities for the money to buy sacrifices was what the people had come to. Jesus was irate. He fashioned a whip to drive them out. Anger and violence followed. Does it seem out of character that our Lord would respond in such a radical way. Not so. He does not appreciate the defilement of God's Temple. He no less appreciates the defilement of the temple of the Holy Spirit, His Spirit. Our sin defiles His temple. He would drive it out if not for grace and long-suffering. But, sin also has other consequences. It keeps us out of fellowship, thereby keeping us from performing the duties we are otherwise compelled to execute. That, of course includes witnessing. I find myself too self absorbed when sin goes unconfessed. Paul had the same problem. He stated, "I am the chiefest of sinners". Did you notice the present tense of his statement. He didn't say he was a sinner. He said he is a sinner. Paul was very aware of his condition, but it's obvious that he was able to retain his fellowship by the confession of those sins. He kept "short accounts". It allowed his ministry to flourish, retaining effectiveness to the last, even unto this day.
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October 2021
Kim MagdaleinKristin's Dad |
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