Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
I Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
Psalm 51:1-4 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”
Eugene Patterson was a well-regarded journalist and journalistic leader. He eventually rose to be the managing editor of The Washington Post and the president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. He was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1967.
During his time as the editor of the St. Petersburg Times, he and the newspaper owner were determined to promote hard-hitting journalism that was fearless in its coverage. They especially sought to expose the shortcomings of those whose privilege typically allowed them to escape scrutiny.
On the way home from a dinner party, Eugene got into a small accident and was nabbed for a DUI. Ashamed and embarrassed of his decision to drive while intoxicated, he did something that was remarkable. He insisted that the newspaper run the story on the front page. Even though his staff resisted, he was determined to ensure that their culture of courageous journalism allowed no one to escape public visibility into their ethical and legal lapses. He refused to be a hypocrite.
Christians are often tagged by secular society as hypocrites. And while I do not suggest that we print our ethical and legal lapses on the front page of the local newspaper, we must passionately strive to align our words, our beliefs, our thoughts, and our actions. And we should follow the wonderful example of Paul who acknowledged his state as a sinner while pointing those who were well aware of his shortcomings to the surreal sacrifice of our sin-scrubbing Saviour.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO ALIGN OURSELVES WITH CHRIST WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING OUR DESPERATE NEED FOR A SAVIOUR. Doing so won’t land us on the front page, but it will instead give Christ the headlines He deserves.
ADMIN: I won’t be publishing a PLUS blog next weekend, but please keep praying faithfully for widespread revival in the United States of America!