pharisees

You don't want my perfection
all you ask of me is that I show up broken at your feet
you don't want my religion
you are looking for devotion that is more than just routine
so show me what it means

to take up my cross
and count it all as loss
all for the sake of knowing you
to bow my head and knees
and care for those in need
show me what it means
to follow you

if I become like a pharisee
passing by the needy while I'm speaking Jesus on my lips
will I walk with you on raging seas
will I turn away when you want more than what I want to give
so show me what it means, what it means

to take up my cross
and count it all as loss
all for the sake of knowing you
to bow my head and knees
and care for those in need
show me what it means
to follow you

to love as you love
and live as you lived
to never give up on giving you my life
to love as you love
and live as you lived
to find out what it means to be a light, to be a light

to take up my cross
and count it all as loss
all for the sake of knowing you
to bow my head and knees
and care for those in need
show me what it means
to follow you

I will follow you
I will follow you
show me what it means
I will follow you
Meredith Andrews "Show Me What it Means"

I've had this draft saved for awhile, I'm not sure why I hadn't published it yet but I remembered it during our church's afternoon service on Sunday. A group of our young people went to SMITE last week and a song was used in the service that reminded me of my post.

How many times have we in seeking favor with God refused to "associate" with people who appeared less "spiritual" than we? Just because a a brother or sister in Christ doesn't share the same views we do doesn't mean we should not allow ourselves to associate with them. I know that I myself have told my brothers to be careful who they hang out with because I don't want the wrong kinds of people influencing them. However we must be careful to not hold other members of the body of Christ at arm's length just because we don't agree with them over some trivial matter.

Sometimes we even hide away from the lost world in our attempt to be different and "set apart". Jesus ate with the sinners did he not? He didn't only choose to visit with the good church people but He spent time with those who the pharisees despised. In Matthew 15:24 He said "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Sometimes God calls us to befriend the friendless. You may never know what your friendship could mean to someone who is hurting and how you can touch them for Christ by reaching out to them. The lost world doesn't want snotty religious Christians who pride themselves in looking "different" from the world...they want people who care and have answers to the questions that all of us face. Some would think that if your family doesn't follow the perfect little Christian mold that you are a failure as an example to others. I don't think so. I think that it gives you more of an advantage because they know you've BEEN there. You've felt those same emotions they have, you've had those same problems and yet you have an answer for the hope that lies within you.

This is the song that was used in the background of the photo slideshow from their week. Click this link to listen to the song (it's not a professional recording).

He walked along the shores of Galilee
From clay He formed the healing bond
That caused the blind to see
When stones of wrath weighed heavy in their hands
He knelt to write His mercy in the sand
Jesus came to set the captives free
Showed us by the way He lived
The way we need to be
All love is more than words can ever say
We must touch them with compassion
To help them find their way

Chorus:
How can we reach a world we never touch
How can we show them Christ if we never show them love
Just to say we care will never be enough
How can we reach a world we never touch

Verse 2:
Could we so busy being saved
Trying to impress a world
That's long since lost it's way
We pride ourselves in being set apart
Yet we don't take time to touch a broken heart
Even if we found the time to care
Would we take the risk involved in always being there
Oh we hold the very thing they need so much
Sometimes the Word of God can pass through just a simple touch

Chorus

Verse 3:
We hide behind these walls
And the security of friends
While beyond the stain glass windows
The world is lost in sin

Chorus