Some Serious Not-Just-For Sunday Thoughts

From reading the story of the Good Samaritan,

From the reading of this passage Matthew 15

and most recently, from a request for permission to use a poem about Hypocrisy

 in her song;  Black by Beza Cabeza (click link to hear the song)

 

my thoughts have turned to the topic of Hypocrisy and modern-day Pharisees.

...and this passage from first Cor. 11: 27-29

 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner 

will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

 Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.  

For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

I Sam.16:7 NIV

 The LORD does not look at the things people look at. 

People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

There is only one language for the follower of Christ; Love!

Lest we offer vain oblation

For the benefit of eyes

Lest we sacrifice salvation

On an altar of disguise

Lest we break the heart of Jesus

By our stone-cold apathy

Pray the Lord, as He so pleases

To teach us humility

Lest we decorate deception

With the noise of piety

While the poor suffer rejection

From modern-day Pharisee

Lest our stubborn heart refuses

To acknowledge our sin

Pray the Lord as He so chooses

Our deathless soul to win

Lest Perception is a demon

Soothing guilt with silk-smooth lies

Licking wounds of pride with poison

Till the Taker of it dies

Lest we always look around us

Pointing out failure and flaw

Pray the Lord, He would remind us

Man is saved by grace, not law

Lest we never bow in sorrow

while repentance rends the veil

As we witness Calv’ry’s  horror

Where love did and does not fail

Lest we never come to Jesus

But break holy bread in vain

Pray the Lord, as He so loves us

That we will be born again

© Janet Martin