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A Morning View From the Patio

Perhaps there is something wrong with me, but as I look around at the "Christian" world, I wonder where Jesus has disappeared to? I ask myself what has happened to the followers of Jesus of Nazareth? There are times I question myself and wonder if the Jesus who lives within my heart has taken up another residence, or at minimum has gone on a very long vacation?
 
Seriously look around, First we hang white Jesus pictures in our churches. Jesus was born and raised in the Middle East. Our politics have Jesus wearing a campaign button supporting the Democrats, Republicans or other political parties. Nationalism proclaims God is favoring the good old USA. There is a very unhealthy prosperity gospel in our culture and society. The Church is focused more on numbers of people we can attract to come in and sit in our pews to become one of us instead of inviting people to come in and be one like Jesus. We are comfortable with change as long as those new people come in and change to be like us. I am right and you are wrong leads our conversations. Perhaps we all need to step back and change to be like Jesus. 

As I take a personal inventory, my soul is such a mess. I am selfishly focused on just surviving the turmoil of life and as I said earlier, I think Jesus has gone on vacation because he is not welcome in my heart. 

We want Jesus to look and act like us, whomever us is, when in fact we should be the ones to desire to look and act like Jesus. The christian nation is not a Christian nation, in fact I wonder is Jesus weeps because people who proclaim the gospel are fighting over silly selfishness while the world around us is dying and going to hell. 

Is this something new? NOPE! John the Baptist called out the Pharisees and Sadducees.

“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”  - Matthew 3:7-12 NLT

I need to repent of my sins and live like the one who is coming. How about you? 

Peace? 
Maybe Not,
PB

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