OPEN SESAME  

While driving the other day I noticed these “Bar Code” stickers on the side of cars. I must admit I have seen them before but this time, for some reason, it got me thinking. What is the purpose for the bar code sticker? I asked a friend of mine and they said that the bar code sticker is for people who live in “gated     communities”. He went on to say that a sensor reads the code and activates the gate to open. Now remember, I am a fireman (not the sharpest pencil in the box) so I thought about that bar code for several hours, (not exclusively, lest anyone think I’m completely nuts!) I thought that no matter what the driver of the car with     the bar code on it did, he or she would still be allow through the gate at the end of the day. They could speed in a school zone, tailgate, cut off, flip off, lay on the horn, ride the sidewalk or do doughnuts in the Walmart parking lot. No matter what they did, they would be allowed to open the gate and enter their neighborhood. It’s sad to say but many so called “Christians” are the same way. They gossip, lie, make shady business deals, cheat, indulge themselves on fleshly desires, play judge, jury and executioner, and at the end of the day they expect their WWJD bracelet, cross pendant and the fish symbol on their bumper to open the gates. Not so! Yes, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But do we “practice sin”? Worry is a sin, yet …I worry…sometimes. I don’t practice worry by making worry an everyday ordeal. Every Christian I know sins, and yes, some are “practicing sin”.  I hear, “so and so lied to me again”, or “so and so said this about so and so”. I hear about the way they treat other people both believers and non-believers. I don’t know why people insist on telling me, when they should be telling them; (privately and with love) maybe it’s the fear of confronting them and being placed on the top of their list. Or maybe you are afraid that they will give you the “Who do you think you are?” speech. Having been there, I can tell you that it’s not fun. It hurts, but it works! It is all how you do it. God Word contains such directions in Matthew 18:15-22.

By now you can picture in your mind their faces and you know what they are doing is not a one time deal. It’s chronic for them! My advice to you is just to continue to pray for them. Pray that if there is an area in your life that needs attention that God would show you. Remember you might be the only bible people ever see, so lets be what God intended us to be…like Him. 

Forever His,

Danny Legge