Jimmy L. Smith
Normally one thinks of a Ram as an adult male sheep, which tend to be aggressive and enjoy butting heads with other Rams. This hard headed (thicker skulls than other sheep) animal, unlike the deer we see locally who lose their antlers every year, the Ram’s horns start growing from birth and continue to grow until death. How ironic that the Bible refers to God’s children as sheep, ones in need of a Shepherd, Jesus.
We Southerners are often stereo-typed as backwards, naïve and old fashioned. I don’t agree with that but we must take ownership as Christians that there is a sincerely need to reverse the legalism that so often permeate throughout the church body. Things such as, “look what he is wearing, look at how many piercings and/or tattoos that person has, or did you hear the words he used?”
Whatever happened to loving the sinner but hating sin? Whatever happened to ‘come as you are’ or that “the Lord didn’t come for the healthy, but rather the sick.” Stop measuring what other people have (possessions) as a reflection of God’s blessings, the Religious Prosperity message is nothing more than creating idols inside the church body. We should try to be more like Billy Graham then Billy Idol.
Let’s get back to being lambs who reflect the Love of Christ through our attitudes of others, especially now since we appear to be living in the age of rage. Stop butting heads with others (in the church and out) like a Ram would do. Show gentleness and patience towards others as the Grace of God has been show to you. None of us are perfect, no not one.
The legalism of Faith tells you what not to do.
Try focusing on the DO’s and the DON’TS will take care of themselves…for Love truly covers a multitude of sin.
"Encourage each other and build each other up…” 1 Thess. 5:11
Jimmy L. Smith
Previous Senior Pastor for over 13 years