Do Our Actions Say That We'd Like Jesus to Heal Us of Our Vices Some Time Later After I've Indulged?

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? John 5:5-6

Jesus heals the lame man, but when He asks us Wilt thou be made whole of our vices, do you put it off until tomorrow? There are times when I'm at a buffet and Christ reminds me that aggravates one of my vices. By piling my plate high to get my money's worth, does that tell Jesus that I want Him to heal me some time later after I've indulged? The same could be true of vices like drinking, gambling, sex, drugs, technology, etc. What do we say to our Lord when He asks us Wilt thou be made whole?

Do Your Actions Say That You Love the World More Than Your Lord?

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:14-17

Wow! This passage makes me really think! Do we allow ourselves to get caught up in the things of the world, the lusts of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life? Are you like me and some things I've done don't seem as bad as others, so I rationalize and feel that I haven't done anything too bad?

God isn't saying through the Bible that a so-so relationship with Him cuts it. It says that if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I don't want to be without God the Father in my life. I know it's difficult to turn from the lusts of the world and being prideful, but our Savior will change our lives if we let Him!

Do Your Actions Say That You Don't Have Any Brothers?

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 1 John 2:8-11

When this was written in the Bible all those years ago, they weren't just talking about your siblings, although it also does pertain to them. Which of us hasn't had some type of discord over the years with our siblings?

Well, Christ doesn't want this discord in our families, but He also doesn't want discord in His larger church family. Are we hateful or do we just ignore those we don't approve of in our church family?

Well, Christ doesn't want discord among different people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, etc. Do we have people of different ethnicity, faith, etc. and we are either hateful to them or just ignore those we don't approve of in the world? Who knows whether by our example of inclusion, we might be the example that leads them to faith in Christ. God doesn't want us to walk in the darkness any longer and will forgive us if we ask Him.

Do Our Actions Say That We Are Better Christians Than Others When It's Not the Truth?

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

Do we get caught up in our volunteer duties at church and attending church that we give off airs projecting that be are better Christians than others? Do we get caught up in thinking that we are better than other church attenders for all the things we do? Do we use our church activities to boost our sagging self-esteem? Do we only associate with other church members who are as committed to these activities as we are?

Are we welcoming or arrogant to others who attend our church? Do we realize that our actions can either invite or push away others who are contemplating becoming Christians. Are our actions making us good role models of our faith? If we are not honest about this, the truth is not in us. Fortunately for us, Christ will forgive us for our self-righteous actions if we let Him.