The next stain which Selwyn looks at – ‘ is the stain of insincerity and unconscious hypocrisy – (this stain) … can be found in the best of us.‘
I liked Selwyn’s story about the painting of the Lord’s Supper: ” … Jesus is depicted sharing with His disciples that one of them will betray Him. Each disciple looks towards the Master, questioning, ‘Lord, is it I?’ The painter has used a reddish hue for the ears of the disciples, and made those of Judas a little redder. … “
All of us, at some point in our journey will do or think something, which betrays the love of our Lord Jesus. We have not yet been transformed fully into His wonderful likeness.
Selwyn asks some searching question in today’s study: “Have we stood by when we have seen serious wrongs being done and not said a word? [ I would add that these days, to stand by - can be broadened to - what we see on TV, or read in the newspaper or see/read on the Internet - we should not let wrongs fade from our screens - in silence.] We who preach the gospel, do we do so for show or for the Saviour?”
The last question [above] is a tough one, especially for those involved in ministry. Do you agree?
I feel that this particular issue of insincerity and unconscious hypocrisy is managed by prayer, within the environment of a daily examination of our spiritual health – as recommended by Selwyn in his conclusion.
In addition, this is one case where the assistance of a spiritual mentor is invaluable. I think it’s important for each one of us to have a person, whom we trust and who is also a mature Christian, to regularly talk through the various issues we are facing. We can fall into a ‘David’ situation, and then we need our own ‘Nathan’ to point out the obvious [2 Samuel 12]! Sometimes we can’t see the darkest stains in our life and we need someone with good eyes to point these stains out to us (throught the power of the Holy Spirit) – even if it might be unpleasant, at times!
Are your ears red?
The next stain which Selwyn looks at – ‘ is the stain of insincerity and unconscious hypocrisy – (this stain) … can be found in the best of us.‘
I liked Selwyn’s story about the painting of the Lord’s Supper: ” … Jesus is depicted sharing with His disciples that one of them will betray Him. Each disciple looks towards the Master, questioning, ‘Lord, is it I?’ The painter has used a reddish hue for the ears of the disciples, and made those of Judas a little redder. … “
All of us, at some point in our journey will do or think something, which betrays the love of our Lord Jesus. We have not yet been transformed fully into His wonderful likeness.
Selwyn asks some searching question in today’s study: “Have we stood by when we have seen serious wrongs being done and not said a word? [ I would add that these days, to stand by - can be broadened to - what we see on TV, or read in the newspaper or see/read on the Internet - we should not let wrongs fade from our screens - in silence.] We who preach the gospel, do we do so for show or for the Saviour?”
The last question [above] is a tough one, especially for those involved in ministry. Do you agree?
I feel that this particular issue of insincerity and unconscious hypocrisy is managed by prayer, within the environment of a daily examination of our spiritual health – as recommended by Selwyn in his conclusion.
In addition, this is one case where the assistance of a spiritual mentor is invaluable. I think it’s important for each one of us to have a person, whom we trust and who is also a mature Christian, to regularly talk through the various issues we are facing. We can fall into a ‘David’ situation, and then we need our own ‘Nathan’ to point out the obvious [2 Samuel 12]! Sometimes we can’t see the darkest stains in our life and we need someone with good eyes to point these stains out to us (throught the power of the Holy Spirit) – even if it might be unpleasant, at times!