“My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.”

My brothers and sisters in Christ, which among us would have been chosen to replace Judas in this ministry? From the outward appearance many of us would have been seen as the ideal choice, but God would have rejected us, because he knows our hearts are not right. Let us strive every day to be more Christ-like, so that what is revealed in our outward appearance would be a reflection of what is coming from our hearts; for we are reminded in Luke 6:45, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the Lord does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

There are some of us who claim that we are pure in our own eyes, yet, we are filthy, but we read in Luke 15: 16; “So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be careful that we do not attempt to justify ourselves, believing that we are perfect in our own eyes, for then, our own mouths will condemn us, and our own lips will testify against us.

Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income. But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 18

“And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, we who are saved should me mindful always to not only look to our own interests, but also for the interests of others.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, scripture reminds us, that, when we are strengthened that we must strengthen our brothers, that we should bear the scruples of those who are weak, and not to please ourselves, that we should carry one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the Law of Christ. How then could we think that when God saved us that we should just stay saved? My brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot be soldiers for Christ and ignore the battle cry. We are daily being called to the frontlines, so that we could help to save those of the faith who are weak and to help them to stand.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-9

Remember not the sins of my youth, or my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O Lord. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Yet, you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out; then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. Acts 3:19-20