Do You Deny Jesus
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. -- Mark 14:72
Have you ever disowned Jesus? I'm not talking about denying His existance. I'm not even talking about failing to acknowledge His sacrifice. Nope. I'm talking about the denial that comes when you don't live your life according to His Word.
I know right about now there are folks shaking their heads. They'd never do such a thing. Deny Jesus? Uh-huh. No way. They follow Jesus. They do all they can to do exactly what He says. They're upfront and bold in their faith.
And they are first in line to throw stones at people they see as less than themselves. Oh, they do it with a pitying smile but they do it just the same. Their hearts are hard when it comes to helping other people. They're so busy judging and refusing help because the person in need "made bad choices," that they can't see themselves in the mirror. They wouldn't like what they would see.
Everytime we turn away from a person in need, we deny Jesus. Everytime we refuse to help someone in trouble, we deny Jesus. Everytime we harden our hearts and judge others, we deny Jesus. How? Jesus lives within the hearts of believers. He never turned away from someone who needed Him. When we, who claim to be believers, turn away from the needy then we are betraying Jesus.
Oh, I know. Some folks are up to no good. They're asking for money that they'll use to buy drugs. Their "begging" is just another job and they truly aren't in need. How do you tell them apart? How do you know who to help? By asking Jesus. He'll guide you if you only listen to His voice. And if you don't? Feel the conviction down deep in your soul. That is, if Jesus truly lives inside you.
Don't worry about whether the other person truly deserves your help. And don't worry if you're enabling them rather than giving them a hand up. That's God's area of expertise and He'll do what is right. We're responsible for what He has called us to do. So the next time someone asks for help, think a moment before you say no. Ask God for guidance. After all, do you really want to deny Jesus?
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