Tuesday night, as Joe Biden gave his victory speech in Los Angeles, a protestor suddenly rushed the stage holding a sign and screaming, “Let Dairy Die.” At that moment, Jill Biden showed the world her ninja training by grabbing the woman’s wrist and giving her a hard stiff-arm. I was very impressed. But then I got mad. Who did those crazy vegans think they were?
Out of medical necessity, Shannon and I are vegans on steroids. And while we don’t eat anything with a face or anything that comes out of anything with a face, we don’t make a big production out of it and we don’t look down on those who do. That’s why so many people look down on vegans. They are irritating. They give regular vegans a bad name. The same can be said about Christians.
There are some Christians who think by virtue of their belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are automatically better than everyone else. They make sure the world knows it. They give real Christians a bad name and do more harm than good to the cause of Jesus Christ.
A real Christian is not someone who elevates self but instead someone who knows there is nothing to elevate and that the only way to salvation is by accepting God’s never-ending, all-healing grace. There is no other way.
That’s what Jesus meant in telling the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. (Luke 18:9-14) When talking about the humility of the tax collector, Jesus said: “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
The height of hypocrisy is a Christian who looks down on others. That’s not us.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me to always remember I am someone saved by your grace and that I do not have the right to look down on others. Use me to bring others into your light. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Don’t be a hypocritical Christian. We’ve already got enough of those.
Also, just for the record, after seeing Jill Biden fight like Bruce Lee, I have come to the conclusion that Joe is just as afraid of his wife as I am of mine; and with good reason.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 