How many of you know why the Dead Sea over in Israel is called 'The DEAD Sea'?
Nothing grows in the Dead Sea. No fish or wildlife. And for a very simple reason: there is a river that flows into it and feeds it, but there is no outlet--no river running out of it. So it stagnates.
Perfect illlustration of some Christians I know (and unfortunately me too much of the time). I have a couple friends (they are brothers) who are at church every time the doors open, choir practice, bible study, prayer meeting, church plays, sunday school, church service, etc. Am I criticizing them for this?
Sort of.... the problem is how "self"-ish it tends to be. All that good stuff flowing in but nothing going out. When I invited them to a homeless ministry my wife and I are involved in to help out, they were too busy with "church". Just seems a bit pharisaical to me.
What is the message of James? "Be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only." We all need to evaluate our use of time and make sure we are serving in the way we as Christians are called to serve, not just becoming theological swellheads.
Jesus didn't say, "I was ignorant, and you enlightened me" or "I was theologically a little off, and you corrected me" but rather "I was hungry, thirsty, naked and in prison".
"Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me." Psalm 139:23-24
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