Are we as "Christians" practicing what we preach?
Or, are we merely "Wannabe Christians"?
Do we apply a, "Do as I say, not as I do attitude." OR, do we actually "Talk the talk, AND, Walk the walk" of a "Christian?"
I wish to take a look at the teachings of Apostle Paul to the Romans, specifically to his teachings in ROMANS: 2:
It is here in this chapter that Paul begins to build his case for his arguement with Peter whether or not it was necessary for new Gentile followers of the church to become circumcized like the Jews were required to do or not.
In ROMANS: 2: 1-3
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same thing. And thinkest thou this O man that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?"
The church is just beginning to grow throughout Rome and Paul learns that his fellow Jews, where beginning to be like the Jewish Pharisees of Jerusalem, during the time of Jesus life, teaching but not applying in their own lives what they taught.
The axiom of "Do as I say and not as I do."
Has no place in true "Christian Living"
We must lead and teach by example, and not merely by word of mouth like the Pharisees who followed Jesus were known to do.
The Apostle Paul addresses the Church of the area, both Jew and Gentile. He begins by counselling the Jews of the area, telling them that it is inexcusable for any man to stand in judgement of any other for by doing so, he who condemns, another condemns himself. Paul explains that the one pointing the finger, himself is not sin free, and may also be guilty of the exact same sin, he accuses his brother of.
In ROMANS: 2: 4-16
Paul addresses the Jews of Rome, pointing out to them that they are guilty of hypocracy, and have turned away from the fulness and richness of God’s goodness and forbearance, and longsuffering, because they do not understand that God is offering them a chance to repent, and because they fail to repent, God’s judgement will bring them God’s wrath.
Paul continues to explain to the people both Jew and Gentile, that God, whose judgement is according to the truth is the only one who has the right to judge man for anything.
In Verse 13-29: Paul exposes their hypocritical ways by informing them, that just because they listen and hear God’s law, if they do nothing to abide by the law they shall not be justified before God. Worse if they act as preacher and teacher of God’s law and do not in their own life do as the law commands commit a sacrilege.
Using circumcision as an illustration, Paul teaches that this is an outward physical display, but, that it has no demonstration of true following, if infact the one circumcised provides no actions proving his worthiness to be seen as being righteous by his fellow man and especially not by Almighty God.
In other words, the Gentile may be considered unclean and unfit to be thought of as being righteous, because he has not fulfilled the letter of the law, but in effect the Gentile who lives and applies the law in his life is more worthy, to be justified and seen as righteous, than the so called devout Jew who offers only lip service and does nothing to prove his right to righteousness.
Bringing this forward to today, Just because a person declares himself to be a "Christian" even though they have been "Baptized" if they show nothing through their interaction with others to demonstrate their claim they are deceiving themselves, and trying to deceive their fellow brothers and sisters, mistrepresenting themselves as Christian when they are merely "Wannabe Christians", and should be quietly, discreetly called out on it.
"Actions speak louder than words", must be an intricate part in a true "Born Again Christian’s" daily way of life and not just on Sundays but everyday.
If we are going to be seen as truly "Born Again Christians" we must "Walk the Walk" as we profess.
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