Lately, I’ve been exposed to several people who tell me they are Christians, but I am confused by their statements. They say one thing and then do another. They seem to consider small crimes forgivable if they are getting the benefit. This makes me so sad.
I want to trust them as a fellow Christian, but the way their treat people is not God-like. The things they say do not echo in the things they do.
I think of Ananias and Sophia who boasted of their holiness and did exactly the opposite.
Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” She fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (From Acts 5)
Dishonesty should fill us with fear and dread as well. Oh, please, do not let this be you. God sees and knows and judges.
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