We spent some time last night in church reading scriptures about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will admit that I had a hard time paying attention, and was easily distracted. I few things did sink in though. These things were not what was taught but things that stuck in my mind as Luke was being read. Two names-Simion and Anna the prophetess. Simion was described as devout and righteous. These are terms, in today's American churches, reserved for pastors elders and the like, not common folk. Anna, is what would be referred to today as a freak. Luke 1:37 says that she ''...did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer day and night''.
Scripture is full of people like this. Men and women of whom this world is not worthy. Crazy folks who do not care what others think. The world looks at these people as being a few fries short of a happy meal. This is what real Christians are supposed to look like, never mind what the world or even those you attend church with might think.
Easy believeism will tell you all it takes is a prayer. Live however you want, you have your fire insurance! Easy believeism makes those folks who make fun of those who are devout and righteous.
These ''hero's'' of scripture were not easy believers. Theses were the bread and butter of what it means, what it looks like to be a real Christian. Remember, the gate is narrow and few there are that find it.
Make your calling and election sure. Examine yourselves. Let us be crazy freaks who are devout and righteous, because of all that God did for all of us who do not deserve anything other then the fires of hell.
Be Simion. Be Anna.
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