“Righteous are you, O Lord,
when I complain to you;
yet I would plead my case before you.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
You plant them, and they take root;
they grow and produce fruit;
you are near in their mouth
and far from their heart.”
– Jeremiah 12:1-2
This is an age-old struggle for sincere followers of the Lord…. Why does there seem to be such success for people who loudly profess their faith while living ungodly, self-centered, sinful lives that make a mockery of that faith. It was a problem in Jeremiah’s time and it continues to be a challenge to sincere faith. In our world today, Spirit-filled efforts to share the gospel are often terribly undermined by the words, actions, and legacy of un-Christlike Christians. It can be terribly frustrating.
Ultimately, this is God’s issue to deal with, and He will. God knows the truth. He sees through those who talk a lot about Him while living far from Him. Jesus spoke of their fate in the Sermon on the Mount (“I never knew you…”). While the frustration is understandable and it’s appropriate to lament their spiritual condition and the damage they’ve done, don’t let it discourage you. Stay faithful and never let these words be true of you.
Do not be a bumper sticker Christians quick to talk about Jesus while failing to speaking, act, think, or feel like Jesus. Devote yourself to growing more and more like Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Love the Lord whole-heartedly and love your neighbor as yourself. Steep yourself in the Scriptures and frequently re-visit the teachings and actions of Jesus found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Let the life and words of Jesus convict and challenge your heart. Don’t excuse away areas of your life that fall short of Jesus but work in Christ to change them. #FollowJesus