The World is Watching Us

Let's talk about justification.

The word means to prove that something is right or needed, but how often do we misuse the word to mean compromise? To compromise means to settle for or accept something that is less than desired. When we settle on what is not sound doctrine, we lower our credibility regarding what is justified. This means that when we as Christians do not speak up against the evils of the world, we are misrepresenting what we believe in. We want the world to know that God loves them, but we also don't want to coddle them into Hell. Speaking up for what is right should never be neglected. The world will not agree, but who are you wanting to please, the world or God? 

Don't get your hands dirty.

One way we justify things is to allow others to do the "dirty work". We are not "technically" sinning because we didn't do it. Let me correct you now… Yes, you are! God knows the motives of our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions. The Bible tells us that if we think about doing something that is just as bad as doing it, we are to repent and hold our thoughts captive. With this being said, think about the Jews, who gave Jesus to Pilate to be crucified, who killed Jesus? The Jews, it was the hatred within their hearts that chose Barnabas (the robber) over Jesus. Just because they didn't flog Him and beat Him and put Him on the cross, their decisions did. Leaving them guilty of murder. Could you imagine a Holy figure (such as a preacher) murdering someone and still holding any credibility afterwards? Yet some still follow the legalistic beliefs that the Pharisees taught and judge others for not doing the same. 

Pilate

When reading about the crucifixion, did you ever notice what role Pilate portrayed? He was not a nice man, known for his cruelty and harshness in punishment. We can assume that he was not a compassionate or merciful man because of his stature at the time. We can also gather that He didn't believe in Jesus, but still, He didn't find Jesus guilty. If you read John 18-19, you will notice that Pilate gave the Jewish leaders at least three chances to change their minds about putting Jesus to death. Pilate flogged Jesus, whom he thought was innocent at the time, and again told the Jews that he found no guilt within Him. I can imagine the troubled heart Pilate felt for Jesus, not blinded by hatred like the Jews, but seeing an innocent man sent to death. Pilate told the Jews to kill Him themselves. Pilate, not wanting to do the dirty work, but the Jewish leaders expressed the rules they had, leaving Pilate trapped to compromise. The Jews also coerced Pilate by denying God and claiming Ceaser as their king, implying that Pilate would be betraying the Roman king if He didn't follow through with crucifying Jesus. 

Results of fear

Hopefully, we know the story leads to a positive outcome of the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit. God can use our sinful actions to teach us and those around us. We are always able to repent and turn toward the Lord when we humble ourselves and realize our sin. God used the hatred of His Son to justify (prove something is right or needed), saving the faithful. We can also learn from this that sin often leads to negative consequences (like death), but if we remain faithful in troubled times (think of the disciples), we can be given hope and peace (Jesus appearing to them). The death of Jesus is not just about how horrific the pain He endured was, or how much He loves us, but also about forgiveness and how God always fulfills His purpose, whether we oppose or not. God won; He gave us the instructions. Let's not retreat over the amiability of compromising. Break the grip of fear and Satan's lies and walk with God in the truth, knowing and believing, by proving what it means to be a follower of Christ.