Have we as Christians become just like the Sadducees and the Pharisees in Jesus days? Are we trying to force people to live by a Word we are not living by ourselves (Matthew 23:1-4).   Is it that we are not open to the teachings and the examples that Jesus actually shared?  Since when are we to just judge by what comes from the mouth of men?    Words can be deceptive; Isaiah 29:13 (GW)  The Lord says, “These people worship me with their mouths and honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is based on rules made by humans.  We were taught in the Word to judge by actions, by the fruit that men bear. (Luke 6:43-45)  If their actions don’t line up with what our Heavenly example has given us then we are to reject what we see.    The Holy Spirit will always bear witness to what is true. His job is to lead and guide us in truth. Be careful that we are not deceived by hidden agendas and ulterior motives. 

 The teachings of Christ should be evident in the lives of believers.  We should hate what God hates, the sin, and love what God loves, the people.  We have to stop forcing what we believe down people’s throat. Jesus presented people with truth and it was their choice to decide what they believed or what they followed.  We should do the same. 

When we are faced with truth it begins to conflict what we believe and it challenges us.  Let us be careful that we are not the reason people are rejecting Christ.   The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He draws us by love and conviction; not hate and condemnation.  The Holy Spirit convicts sinners of sin and believers of their righteousness. (John 16:5-11) He reminds us that we are of a different nature and we must present that at all times.    People need to know that Jesus loves them and will accept them even after they make bad choices.  People need to know that there is hope for their dying situations.  People need to experience the Love of God, not just hear about it.  How can we be a light when they see darkness in us, through our actions of hate and judgment?  The Lord never held our sins over our heads and constantly remind us of what we did; it was His goodness that led us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)    He set the example for us to live by.

Sometimes, we go too far to prove our point when we argue back and forth and we eventually lose people in the process.  Let God be God.  (Psalm 46:10)  He never needed us to prove His existence and His presence.  In the Bible He did that Himself. He shut the mouth of every critic with His actions.  He can do it again today, through our obedience as His followers.  Instead of preaching to people about what they are doing wrong, why not introduce them to the Grace and power that will enable them to get it right.  I am in no way saying we shy away from speaking about God and His Word.  We need to be careful about preaching and not living it.  We need to be certain that we are portraying the love of God.   It is up to us to work out our own soul salvation.  When you see the disciples and apostles in scripture, it was known that they were with Jesus because of the presence and the wisdom in which they spoke. 

The Word of God will always stand and present truth to be followed. Share the truth in the Spirit of Love and let people make their own choices.     Show love in ACTION and not just in WORDS.  Always be ready to give an answer of what you believe and what you hope in once it catches the attention of others. Give people the proper information needed to make a good decision, and then let them have the freedom of deciding for themselves.  Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)   “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Remember God doesn’t support all of our choices but He loves us and supports us.