2026-03-13
Good morning, Dear Ones,
The Holy Spirit directs me to continue writing about kindness and hypocrisy this week. Hypocrisy is a blatant disconnection between spoken words and professed beliefs. We are called by God not to masquerade behind false pretenses. Such was the behavior of the Pharisees, as Matthew writes in MT 23: 13, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” The Lord Jesus’ words to His disciples as they needed to calm a large crowd trampling on one another to listen to Him were, “Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” [LK 12: 1]. In the OT, PR 11: 3 exemplifies the consistency of Scripture. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Both personal and communal damage are the consequences of hypocrisy. PR 10: 9 addresses this issue, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” The prophet, Jeremiah, faced this issue when God commanded him to speak the truth to a sinful Israel refusing to listen [JER 9: 5]. God’s desire is for us to live lives marked by integrity, sincerity, and kindness—a life that reflects His character to others.
Inspired by God, Paul writes in PHIL 4: 8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.” Paul’s story gives us an example of how God can use His amazing power to do good on people. This man, who would end up as a great apostle, began his life in a very devoutly traditionally Jewish household. His family saw to it that Saul of Tarsus (his original name) would receive a profound education in the OT. We first meet him as he is grown and serving on the Sanhedrin (Jewish Ruling Council). He was involved in the persecution of the early Christian church, as seen in AC 8-14. The Sanhedrin members were present at the stoning of Stephen [AC 7: 54-60]. Soon afterward, the Lord, Who always knows the skill set He gives to each person, took action. Saul was with his companions on the road near Damascus, still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He was on a mission to find them, arrest them, and take them back to Jerusalem with the permission of the high priest and carrying letters to the synagogues in Damascus. Suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him. He was struck blind and heard the Lord Jesus’ voice saying, “Why are you persecuting me?” After Saul asked Whose voice, he was hearing, Jesus identified Himself and told him to go to Damascus to see Ananias there. He would be told what to do. Saul was led by the hand. The Lord had already prepared Ananias in prayer to restore Saul’s sight after three days. As proof of the Lord’s power, He told Ananias, “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” Once Saul and Ananias met, the latter told Saul what the Lord said, and something like scales fell from his eyes. Saul got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, his strength was restored. This was the beginning of exactly what the Lord commanded and the time when Saul became known as the apostle, Paul [AC 9: 1-19].
To be sure, the Lord Jesus gave us an example of EZK 36: 26-27 in Paul’s story. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.” Over His lifetime, Paul did suffer many trials [2 COR 11: 23-33]. Paul was able to think like a competent lawyer, figuring out how to give the Lord’s answer to every conflict that arose beforehand. He wasn’t a handsome man with a compelling voice, but what he said had a profound effect on those who listened. And yet, he was the greatest apostle, spreading the Gospel and the early Christian church.
PRAYER: O Lord, Your power to do good is applied to any of us that will listen, not just people during Paul’s time. Your plan for us was crafted with a heart of kindness and altruism. We have so much to learn from You, things found in Your word. By the hand of Your Son, Jesus, and His teaching, we can turn our lives around from ones of sinfulness to ones led by Your Spirit. There really is no place for callousness, injustice, hypocrisy, lies, meanness, and greed in Your plan. These and all other human sin will be no part of Your Kingdom [COL 3: 3-4; RO 12: 21; REV 21: 4]. We offer You our loyalty, and desire to enter Your Kingdom for eternity. We pledge to keep our minds on the things of that place and not just earthly things [COL 3: 2]. We offer You thanks and praise for Who You are and what You do, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I have been commanded to write about God’s grace next week. In the meanwhile, we can’t ignore the forgiveness and grace that is in our lives—put there by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross [JN 3: 16]. Listening to the Gospel, studying the Scriptures, prayer, building a relationship with God are all components of a life lived with being an eternal citizen in His Kingdom in mind. Living the life that God wants for us will never have negative consequents in the long run. Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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