Focus: Moral Contradictions

Text: Mt.26:73

"Surely thou also art one of them; FOR THY SPEECH BEWRAYETH THEE."

Mark says, "For thou art a Galilaean, and thy SPEECH AGREETH thereto" - Mk.14:70.

In his day, Jesus suffered the contradiction of sinners. Hebrews says, "For consider him that endured such CONTRADICTION of SINNERS against himself..." - Heb.12:3. Sadly, in our own day, believers are suffering from the contradictions of each other, and even the world suffers from the 'contradictions of saints.' The world just can't get it when saints live like sinners.

Peter denies being a disciple of Christ even with swearing and cursing when indeed his strong or thick Galilean accent says otherwise. In trying to deny Christ Peter betrayed himself. In essence, his tongue says, 'Peter, you're lying against yourself.'

In 1Sam.15:13, Saul says, "I have performed the commandment of the LORD..." In verse 14, Samuel says, "What meaneth this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" Simply put, the animals were saying, 'Saul, you're lying. You have not fully obeyed the Lord. We are living witnesses to your lies.' O Lord, help us!

God says, "I will cut off them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham" - Zeph.1:5.

A lot of religion in our head and mouth but much less of it in our lives and behaviors. Belief and behavior should align, not detached. Faith loses power amid split loyalties. We just can't afford to be here and there, believing right and living wrong.

Let's constantly and consistently say YES to God and NO to Malcham - an idol. Strife, envy, jealousy, bitterness, malice, unforgiveness, and the likes, are not in any ways characteristics of a Christian.

Prayerfully say to yourself: no more contradictions in my life from today. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter