BIBLE READING: EXODUS 39, 40; MATHEW 23: 21-39
“Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” –Mathew 23:24 (KJV).
We live at such a time and in such a religious environment where people major on the minor and minor on the major. While I do not promote Christian ladies wearing trousers so they can reach and be a blessing to more people, I equally do not subscribe to religious attitude of many Christians who use only dressing or outward appearance as a parameter or yard stick for measuring a good Christian or for acceptance. I have seen Christians who endorse sisters with great excitement because of their long skirts and turtle neck blouses without a single consideration of their character. I believe that both inward and outward appearance of Christians matter a lot but a situation where one agrees to help people only by their conformity to their extreme conservative standard is alien to the standard established by Jesus. “Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them” –Mathew 7:20 (KJV). Observe that he didn’t say by their leaves even though leaves are important.
There are some basic things we should look out for in the lives of Christians, these basic things are the fruits of character. While we should insist that believers dress and look decent, the outward looks must not becloud our judgment because appearance could be deceptive. We walk by faith and not by sight. The scriptures clearly states that man looks at the outward but God searches the heart. God does not ignore the outward but he looks beyond the outward. We too must understand that not all that glitters is gold. We may be so focused on things that do not really matter much and neglect weightier matters.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to maintain right focus.
Rev. Vincent Diolu