Scripture(s): Matthew 15:1-11 (NIV)
Here we go. The costumes are away, the leaves are changing, Christmas things fill the stores, you get your turkey and stuffing, all the while making arrangements for holiday family get togethers and they are there. You go to work, the grocery store, the gym, the restaurant and they are there, too. The negative co-worker; the critical neighbor; the manipulative friend; the way too needy family member. Let’s face it, we all have difficult people in our lives. During this series we learn how to live with, survive and love Those Usual Suspects.
They tell you one thing…and do another. The speak about how special the relationship with God is but don’t love anyone around them. It seems whatever comes out of their mouths is the opposite of what they do. Who are they? They are Those Hypocritical Ones. In our journey in life, how do we live with them, love them, be there for them and survive the influence they have on our lives yet, encourage and strengthen them to not be that way, but become who they can be in Christ. What about us? What if we are or are becoming “those hypocritical people” how can we truly become who Christ calls us us to be in Him.