Redeemer Church Mauritius
In Nehemiah chapter 5, the work on the wall is progressing well, but the community of Jerusalem is beginning to fall apart. On the outside things are looking great, but on the inside, there is relationship breakdown, abuse of power and neglect for the poor. Nehemiah is not just there to get the wall up; he is also there to build a model community. He doesn’t just want a city that looks good from the outside; he wants a city that changes lives on the inside. This is what the Christian life is like. It’s not only important how our lives look to others, it is also important how our lives are changing to become more like Jesus. In the case of Jerusalem, God sent Nehemiah to teach them and show them how to live. In our case, he has given us Jesus. He is present with us each moment of every day to lead us and help us to live in a way that honours him.
1. They are profiting from someone else’s misfortune
Being in a position of power can allow us to benefit from the hardship of others but that is not the way of the kingdom.
2. They are taking advantage of someone else’s generosity
We shouldn’t do wrong things just because someone else is willing to make it right.
3. They had no fear of God
People are created in God’s image and if we mistreat people, we dishonour God.
4. They drag God’s reputation through the mud
When Christians are hypocrites, the world rejects God but when Christians live with integrity others are drawn to God.
A model citizen
God sent Nehemiah to show them how to live and God has sent Jesus to show us how to live.
Remember:
What’s happening on the inside is as important as the outside.