Hypocrite or Woman of God?

This past week I was labeled a hypocrite indirectly by another Christian. Just the thought of that word brought me to my knees. In my mind, there is nothing worse than a Christian hypocrite, and that is something I have tried my whole life to avoid becoming. For someone to think I was one threw me back a bit, and I was humbled, and I must admit quite angry (which I don't get too often.)

The Bible doesn't have nice things to say about hypocrisy. Verses about being a hypocrite are all over the Word of God. Matthew 15:7-9 says "You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” That is just one of the verses that does not talk too kindly about Christian hypocrites.

When you are a Christian and someone

labels you a hypocrite, how can you handle it?

Well, here's how I'm handling it...read on...

As I've thought about my life these past few days and some of the actions I have taken over the years, there are many things that I haven't been proud of. But, as sinners, can't we all say that? The only thing that saves us from our sins and our sinful actions is the amazing Grace of God and His forgiveness. Aren't we all just trudging along trying to do the best we can in this evil world in which we live?

As a professed Christian woman, I know I am held to a higher standard, and I have tried to live up to that, but apparently I haven't, in at least one person's eyes and for that I'm truly sorry. If someone actually thinks that my life has been a sham and my love of God has been nothing but a bunch of fluff, they obviously know little about me.There may be more of you who feel that way, but let me sincerely tell you that I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart and soul, and my only intent on writing this blog was to share that love of Jesus with others, who may be hurting around the world.


I fully realize that just because I'm a Christian, doesn't mean I'm not a sinner. Far from it. "Christians under Construction" is a phrase I've heard for years from many of my closest Christian friends, and that is always how I have viewed myself, because that's what all Christian are -- we are under construction, trying to be more Christlike in our behavior each day. We are all sinners, every single one of us, the only difference in a Christian sinner is that we are forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. Mind you, that doesn't mean we have a license to sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

I have professed my sins to God and to the ones I have hurt and I know that at least He has forgiven me. The humans are undoubtedly still working on it. That fact that Jesus has forgiven me is paramount to me. You must repent and turn away from your sins which I have tried to do, because that is what Lord commands me to do. It's not always easy to do what you know is right, and it's simple to always make up justifications for your actions. Our sinful/carnal nature or  "flesh" keeps raring back up. But, every day is a new beginning, a new chance to live for the Lord. And that is possible for me through daily prayer and reading the Word of God. Thank you Jesus for new beginnings that you make possible with each new day.

I will continue to pray and read the Word of God, daily~~

I'm mindful that my pardon from my sins is a gift from God, it has nothing to do with me. I know I have done many things in my life that aren't pleasing to God, but I also know that the Lord has forgiven me and continues to forgive me if I confess my sins. John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."


The Grace of God is sufficient for me and you too. I'm reminded of the words from the old classic "Amazing Grace", how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." The amazing song is included here.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8YRapsaRfE

2 Corinthians 2:19 tells us "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I do feel that the power of Jesus rests upon me when I am at my weakest. When I begin to write in this blog I can feel His presence with me. One thing that was inferred about me was that my Faith Walk365 blog is a big
 "bowl of s_ _ t with flowers on top of it, obviously because my life isn't perfect and I'm not "Godly enough." 


My answer to that accusation is "Who's life is?" A moving verse from the book of John 8:7 says "“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” We all sin and come short of the glory of God. Every single human being past and present, living on this earth.

I certainly hope that my readers don't feel that I'm a hypocrite. I started this blog in April 2010 because I felt the Lord calling me to do it. I knew that He would give me the words, and He has, without fail. He has provided me with almost 15,000 hits on my blog worldwide since I started writing 2 years ago. I have been able to reach people in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Russia, Iran, Mexico, the Philippines, the U.K, Sweden, Brazil, South Africa, Iraq, Indonesia, New Zealand and more with the amazing message of hope that Jesus can bring in someone's life. 

I surely didn't begin writing this to bring glory to myself, I wanted to help others learn about the love of Jesus. I have heard from people around the world that have been touched by the words I have written, i.e. telling me that my words were just wanted they needed to hear at that particular time. 

Over the years, as my disability from living with MS has increased, and I transitioned from being an able bodied person to a handicap person,(losing my ability to drive) and the freedom that goes with that, I still have the basic needs that we all do: the need for human contact and interaction. I needed to reach out to others through the internet and I did.


It's hard for someone who isn't confined in their home for most of their days to understand this basic human need. I felt the Lord calling and I answered. It's that simple. I didn't have a grand plan for what I was doing. I just wanted to talk about Jesus and his transforming power and that is what I hope I have done through Faithwalk 365. I certainly am not an ordained minister, just a lover of the Lord Jesus Christ with a desire to tell others about His love for all of mankind.

I sincerely hope that I haven't offended any of you, my readers, through this medium. Please believe me when I say that that was the furthest thing from my mind. I truly just wanted to share my love of the Lord with you, and show you how I look up to my Creator for my strength, not in. We live in an increasingly confused and downtrodden world. I wanted to try and bring some hope through my love of Jesus to my small corner of it. 


As I've invited you before, I would love to hear from you. If you would please leave a comment on this post at the bottom, I would really and truly appreciate it, especially today. I need to know how others feel about me and my writings, so please be honest.

As for my accuser, I will do what I know the Lord wants me to do, which is guard my heart in Christ Jesus and rest in His amazing love. Proverbs 4:23 says "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." One of the most profound verses about guarding your heart in the Word of God is in Philippians 4:6-7. It is one I have used many times in my writings here, but especially now, I guess I need to practice it more than ever. It says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


The Lord knows what's in my heart and He and He alone knows my intentions.

My verses for today are above in red.


My prayer for today:


Dear Lord Jesus:


I have been unjustly been accused of being a hypocrite. There is nothing that is more distasteful to me. Search my heart Lord, and help me to write only for you. I want to share your love with the world, and that is my main goal. I know I am a sinner, but we all our sinners Lord. Not one of us is worthy of your love. It is by grace that we are saved from our wretchedness. Help me to forgive my accuser and continue to glorify you in all my words and actions. 


In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen