My Sin is not like Your sin!!

"When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and  sinners?" -Mark 2:16.

The Pharisees who were our traditionalist, the one's who favored a man made tradition to God's word. These were the ones who believed it to be more important to outwardly appear to be righteous but inwardly sinful. Quick to point out who was unlawful, and to declare their righteousness because they followed the law and knew the law so well. In the scripture above Jesus is seen here eating at a table with "sinners and tax collectors" and the Pharisees with malice and contempt in their heart for Christ (already) began to question why he is sitting amongst sinners and tax collectors. Understanding the setting, Jesus is seen sitting with those who are typically see as  not aligned with God and perpetually in sin, and then tax collectors who were always then (and now) viewed as thieves and crooks because of the high taxes they levied on the people. The Pharisees bring into question why this man who claims to be the Son of God dines with these people. Let stop right there and establish and deal with this issue of self-righteousness. In their own carnal and self-indulgent minds these Pharisees truly believe they are in a position to judge as if they are the Chief Judge(God). They didn't sit and look to see what was going on? Or. Sit down and listen to see what this man who clearly has more wisdom than they have has to say. They merely began the act of chastising and questioning him, had he committed a Sin? No, but once again those traditions of looking the part of the righteous one takes over and they come down on Christ because he is doctor coming with good medicine for people who want to get well. Beloved, believe this,  no matter how saved you think you are, you were sick and Jesus came and healed you right where you were. I'm not talking about physical sickness (but that too) I mean sick from plague of sin, the evil that so easily controlled and kept you from God. Sometimes if your not careful while even being saved you fall back into old habits, but a self-righteous man who sins is still a sinner. The bible says in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God" NOT fell short but fall short that means even now. Prove it? Paul writes in Romans 7:19-20 "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me." Paul knew better than to think he was immune from sin, and we should do the same. The idea is not to feed into your own hype, recognize that  any opportunity to sit down with someone who is not saved or is struggling with sin is a prime time for God to get glory. Philippians 2:4-5 "do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus" Jesus sat the table with these people because his focus was bigger than their status according to man, he saw a need and he met the need. Their souls were crying out for help, he sat with them as to be amongst them not above them. He never compromised who he was but he illuminated them with his character, that light shined so bright that they had to come out of that dark place into the brilliant light of Christ. When you become so self-righteous and  think so above people you forget your human values and sometimes it takes you having to fall to realize that. Self-righteous can land you around hypocrites, those who want to appear right and that can lure you away from God easier than anything else because your being un-reasonable with yourself and others. Ultimately we have a duty to present ourselves before God as a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1). But none of us goes a day with sinning, weather in thought or deed so we are constantly in sanctification , repenting and turning away from sin back to God. When we forget that we get lost in ourselves, and God's not getting the glory. Your witness is ineffective when you are consumed with self-righteousness, your unapproachable and utterly hard to deal with. When your heart is for God's people and to seek out lost souls for Christ you move, do, and say what God tells you to say.
   "And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Humble yourselves daily before God, consider the walk you made and if I'm certain still making with God. You may not be as you were (grace) but you know we can always do better. If you Love God, than you should love all his children (saved and un-saved). You may hear some thing or see things that are not pleasing to God and that may invoke a self-righteousness in you but recognize that if your in the midst it could be an opportunity for God to shine through you, and then you may not be the vessel to be used to do the work so don't let it taint your walk. Pray with out ceasing. But don't condemn and surely don't hesitate to tell the truth. Be overcome with Love, always speaking the truth (in Love) never compromising the Savior for Sin, remaining ever faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Satan's biggest weapon against us is not the world rather its our self, none of us can save anyone, it is God who saves we are the vessels or tools he uses to do his work. Ultimately if we won't humble ourselves he will find someone who will. Blessings...

Generation XXX

I remember right around the year 2000 I think it was Pepsi was doing these commercials and in these commercials it talked about Generation X. It was the slogan they were using to mark our or my generation of kids. The idea is that were the future and the generation and that it was no in our hands to move things forward. The truth is our generation is a blessed generation, because of our parents generation and how they grew up most of our parents made sure we could live an easier life. That was a great thing and still is, its just that our generation got use to being spoiled and that easy that we didnt get some things that maybe could've gone a long way for us in the long run. Our parents didnt fail us as a matter of fact they slaved for us (most of us anyway) they just didnt want that strict doctrine that forced them to serve God they still taught us Jesus was the only they werent as hard on us as their parents were on them. They didnt give room for anything else but they didnt force us either. Unfortunately the world grew to embrace Jesus less and less so that our generation began to seek out new replacements for God and the knowledge of the bible grew less, the desire for God grew even lesser. Eventually habitual lawlessnes took its place, a desire to be "free" became the new motto of this age, and church if attended at all was a favor to God instead of an oppurtunity for growth for us. Eventually, the bible just wasent enough and the thirst for something "new" came into place so the discovery of different versions of the gospel or turning to an all new religion became the next move. As the world became more and more distant and resistant to Jesus so did this generation. A generation where the children were taught that sex was ok so that young men and young women were virtually using each other up play toys and throwing each other away like old clothes you never wear any more. Wasteful with each other's hearts and a general disconcern with the risk we were putting each other in. Marriage was least desired and monogomy (even if married) was "tiresome and boring". Perversion over conversion was the mindset and the this generation is having it pumped into them a mile a minute via devices that were to be used for positive purposes, thus the creation of Generation XXX.
       This generation actually is no different than any other generation, as a matter of fact it's just the same, the difference is its no longer masked as it used to be. If David (in the bible) was commiting acts of adultry, Moses committing murder, or Noah being a drunk then there is nothing new under the sun. The deal is "back in the day" people hid it better but the same the hearts haven't been changed so the sin is still the same. The crazy part of this is that now we live in such a world that embraces sin all the more that now more than ever its hard to get this generation to turn from it but this is no surprise Paul warns of this in 2 Timothy 3:2 where he wrote "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy"  The change that our generation could make and actually is being called to make is to live for God anyway. During a great conversation with my brother he said something profound "our generation suffers from being the most biblically illterate generation" that seems offensive but its truth. The knowledge of the bible is severely lacking and it is that knowledge that empowers us to grow closer to God. Often times its heard said that "I am still young and I just want to enjoy my youth, God know's my heart" My brother again said it like this "That is a stupid position and arrogant position". I know that sounds rude but it's an excuse to continue you like you were before. I'm not saying I am perfect because God knows I am far from it but knowing you can do better and choosing not too is foolish. The reality is our generation no longer are kids we are the one's having children, starting families, and we are expecting raise to another generation of children that equally have no knowledge of the true and living God. Demonstrating to them that its ok to live as free as you want or live anyway you want in a pursuit to "enjoy themselves". God's ultimate plan for us is Sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification;" That word sanctification simply means to be set aside for use or special purpose, the process of becoming holy like God. We are on this earth for that purpose and that purpose only, that is Goal number one. All of our goals like careers, and marriage, and family are things that through the scope of sanctification to God we do. That means its all from his perspective first. This is not to bash or push anyone out it's to help you and me out, most of us will be parents one day and we need to have the tools needed in order to teach our children to be followers after Christ. The message or gospel of Jesus Christ was sent to bring good news of salvation and forgivness of sins. The idea is that we are made right through Christ through grace. We are still young but are held responsible for every action that we make, and while striving to be young and wild hell is still burning. I'm not saying you can't have a social life but the real question is when this is all over do you know where your going? That conversation is scary but this world is not the final resting place, we are here to do one thing work for God we labor for him. The reward for the diligent and true believers of Christ is rest in heaven. I'm not saying will cease as a matter of fact the more that turn to God the worser the times will get. It's not Generation X its Generation NEXT. WE are up to bat and I'm sorry I want to spirtually equipped to lead a wife and father Children. The reality is this will be offensive to someone who is in opposition to this, to those who want after God this will be the message to encourage you to fight for Christ. If your not saved this could be the message to lead towards steps to salvation. We are not the lost generation, God has big plans for us, we have to run after those plans and live boldly for God.