I had a conversation recently with a friend who endured 18 years of an abusive marriage. It breaks my heart to hear such stories and it hurts even more when I hear the words “My husband was a preacher.”
Even if unconsciously, believers and unbelievers expect Christians to behave differently. Here’s what Jesus had to say about such people, “Hypocrites! … Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27, 28, NLT). They appear Christian, but their heart is hardened against God.
A relationship with God doesn’t make us perfect. But we have the light of Christ within us and this light “produces only what is good and right and true” (Ephesians 4:9, NLT). God offers us free and ready access to his strength and power to avoid and resist the pull of sin. Second Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…” How? “…through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
The Word is rich in promises and God is a promise keeper (Hebrews 10:23b, NLT). Believe and ask for his help.
Debra L. Butterfield © 2010
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