The Christian Heathen

Let me be a little sarcastic in this post, even though it will make some kind of sense. There is no such thing as a Christian Heathen, but the term should be used for people who act like Christians and Heathens at the same time. We all know who these people are and in fact if we were honest, we may even fit the bill at times ourselves.

So, here goes my top five lists of Christian Heathens. They are in no particular order.

1: The shouter and curse person at the same time. Sunday services are filled with Praise the Lord and Hallelujah. These people are shouting the isles down with good "church" words. However, once Sunday is over with, their other language kicks in. "Christians" who can curse worse than a sailor, and I was a sailor and I honestly say I have heard these people use language that I never heard while stationed on a ship  in the early 80's. The bible says "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"   Matthew 12:34 (ESV).
2: The Prayer and the gossiper at the same time. Prayer services are just beginning and Sister so and so and Brother so and so are taking prayer requests down on their notepad. They are tearing the prayer walls down praying for someone's addiction and terrible habits. Once church is over with they are on the telephone sharing such stories all in the name of God. "At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention."  I Timothy 5:13 (NASB).
3: The spiritual food and secular food at the same time. The Pastor just said A-men. The Saints are shaking hands and hugging necks. They are getting in their vehicles and heading to their local restaurant. Once they walk in the door, they assume the minimum wage girl behind the counter should drop what they are doing and run to wait on them. They (church) wait in line because other Pastors have dismissed their congregations.  They get up to the counter and the action begins. Now, remember this Saint has just come from Church. Also remember this behind the counter minimum worker has not been in church. So, they start their order. Something happens and the food is wrong. The God loving all peaceful Saint blows a gasket and complains to the other saint in line who is getting frustrated b/c they have to wait awhile and number 2 above starts. They voice their opinion as to the satisfaction of the worker and go to their tables. To show these workers they are totally fired up ill with them, they leave their trash on the table to teach them workers a lesson. Now, I wonder what would happen to their church if that worker came and left their trash on their pew? Just saying. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 (ESV).
4: The Teacher and ball player at the same time. Brother so and so is the sunday school teacher for the junior boys class. Man, he loves his job. He takes the boys fishing and camping and they just love him. He is the best God fearing man in the church; until Saturday afternoon. That is when he takes his own son to the ball park to play baseball. The umpire is awful. Blind as a bat and can't find the strike zone. All the opposing fans love to come to this park, because they know that fan will let it all out at the umpire. He is spitting and fussing and his face is red because he called out his son. What nerve he must have. He goes to the fence and let's him have it. He high fives the other dads while they are talking about the umps and  how terrible they are. Yessir, he is a great Sunday School teacher. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 (ESV).
5: The communion drinker and other drinks at the same time. Communion service just concluded. An awesome time in service. The stale crackers and grape juice hit the spot because of the symbol it stood for. he was excited about what the Lord was going to do in the church. Just last night he bought the crackers and juice for church today. Tomorrow he goes back to the same store and buys his alcohol and chips. He will now have another communion time with his lounge chair and television set. The same person who rung him up yesterday rings him up today. She is puzzled as to the difference, but he says, "it's ok to have a drink or two."  "But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.  You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit ^[b]while yet in his mother’s womb." Luke 1:13-15 (NASB).  
I don't think this person (not John) is great, do you?

We all have problems. Lord knows I have my fair share of them. However, you and I are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. I realize that I have done some terrible sins (have you?) and I am glad that God said David was a man after God's heart. That gives me hope for my terrible sins. I ask that you forgive me for what I have done to you and I will likewise. I do not want to miss heaven over something as small as a sin. I am reminded of the missionaries who never really got to preach to the South American Indians back in the early days of the 50's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Auca), but as a result of their sacrifice, such Indians came to Christ.

People are watching you and you must ask yourself a very simple question. Am I living for Christ on Monday just as much as I am on Sundays?