My BIG Questions for God
Joe Principato / Video/Lighting Tech and Audio Assistant
My biggest questions, and I suppose as such my biggest issues of faith, revolve around the subject of hypocrisy. In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus tells the small parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders:
It is this first question Jesus poses, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” that pricks my heart so often. Why does it seem that so many people who would call themselves Christians, do not show Christ-like behavior? Why is it that even I, at times, do not exhibit Christ-like behavior? Why is it that we are so quick to call on Christ in times of trouble, but like Peter, deny Him when the outcome isn’t what suits our wishes?
I'd like to think that we should just “be better” at being Christ-like, and that these are things that will just go away over time. Unfortunately, however, history has shown us that this will probably never be the case. Every time you turn on the news, you see that those who are supposed to be beacons of the faith, priests, pastors, deacons, teachers and other church leaders, have had some deep dark sin exposed, ruining the reputation of themselves, the church they serve, as well as casting a dark shadow of hypocrisy over all those who would call themselves Christian.
While these ponderings tempt me to be discouraged, or even worse, renounce the faith altogether, I am reminded by the love, faith, and integrity of the One whose promises hold true, whose Word holds no hypocrisy. As for those that continue to talk-the-talk, but do not walk-the-walk, I pray. I pray for them, as well as for myself sometimes, that they may not only preach the Gospel, but practice it as well. I pray this so that when the storms and floodwaters rise, we will not be shaken, for our house will be built on the Rock of Jesus.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete.”
It is this first question Jesus poses, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” that pricks my heart so often. Why does it seem that so many people who would call themselves Christians, do not show Christ-like behavior? Why is it that even I, at times, do not exhibit Christ-like behavior? Why is it that we are so quick to call on Christ in times of trouble, but like Peter, deny Him when the outcome isn’t what suits our wishes?
I'd like to think that we should just “be better” at being Christ-like, and that these are things that will just go away over time. Unfortunately, however, history has shown us that this will probably never be the case. Every time you turn on the news, you see that those who are supposed to be beacons of the faith, priests, pastors, deacons, teachers and other church leaders, have had some deep dark sin exposed, ruining the reputation of themselves, the church they serve, as well as casting a dark shadow of hypocrisy over all those who would call themselves Christian.
While these ponderings tempt me to be discouraged, or even worse, renounce the faith altogether, I am reminded by the love, faith, and integrity of the One whose promises hold true, whose Word holds no hypocrisy. As for those that continue to talk-the-talk, but do not walk-the-walk, I pray. I pray for them, as well as for myself sometimes, that they may not only preach the Gospel, but practice it as well. I pray this so that when the storms and floodwaters rise, we will not be shaken, for our house will be built on the Rock of Jesus.