Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
A believer approached me the other day with a concern. He said that he had heard Christians being accused of being “holier than thou” by non-Christian people. He asked, “Aren’t we supposed to try to be better people now that we are saved?”
I answered, “Christians are called to follow Jesus.”
As a consequence, or “fruit” of submitting to the Holy Spirit and looking to Jesus, we will [super] naturally put off the old man of sin and put on the new man of Christ. That may “look” a lot like what the religious person looks like. He attempts to reform his life through religious teaching and standards. Since many of his standards and a lot of his education will come from the Bible, the person who follows Christ and the person who practices Christian reform will look very similar. The difference, only one of them honors the Lord. The other is accomplished in the flesh and finally attempts to elevate the flesh.
The one who practices Christian reform will be tempted to judge others as lesser than himself because, after all, he was able to improve. On the other hand, the one who follows Christ could never consider himself better than the most wicked of sinners because he sees Christ and himself as so much less than Him and because he looks at Christ and not at others.
Consider a beautiful and valuable painting. That painting is reflective of the artist who performed the work. It’s a “Van Gogh,” or a “Monet,” or whatever. A person may see a beautiful painting and wish to possess it but find he cannot afford it. He might then choose to purchase a print, Aa reproduction. It’s much less costly, but it’s also a step or more removed from the artist. The copy honors the art because we like it. The original honors the artist because it is his work.
A relationship with Christ honors the Lord
The fruit it produces is directly attributable to Him, and therefore those who produce it have no sense of pride because of it. Instead, they see themselves as debtors to others, seeking to share with them what they were so freely and undeservedly given.
Religion honors the fruit but not the Lord.
It’s a cheap substitute for the original. It’s easier to attain. It’s easier to share. But it is not the work of Christ.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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