Out Our Way: Sheep's clothing

Matthew 7:15 - "(Jesus said) beware of false prophets who will come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

Out our way, the various rodeo events are always well received - and especially during the state fair. A friend of mine owns a ranch store downtown and rodeo season is always a profitable one for him. But it is also a time of some laughter.

Along with the rodeo folks and the real-deal cowhands, ranchers and farmers who attend, we also get some folks from the urban areas who try to pass themselves off as real cowhands.

Years ago, the Smothers Brothers sang a version of "The Streets of Laredo" in which one sang to the other: "I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy." The brother sang back," I see by your outfit that you're a cowboy too" Then together they sang, "We see by our outfits that we are both cowboys; if you get an outfit you can be cowboy too!"

Well, apparently some folks believe that and so the humor begins. A guy walked in and asked to see some leather chaps. Then he wanted to know where the dressing room was so he could put them on. Didn't know they go over the Levis. Later another dude in fancy high-fashion "cowboy boots" came in and wanted some spurs. He bought a fancy pair and then proceeded to walk down the street in them and into a local saloon - which was a hangout for the Romeo cowboys - and managed to lock his rawls together and fall flat on his back. It was a great week for the H-bar-O Ranch and Farm store!

Unfortunately, the Church has to deal with fake apostles and prophets who are just as phony as those two dudes. Now we all know of the Medicine Show TV preachers who "sell salvation" like "Dr. Quack's Miracle Cure," and whose version of the Gospel has more in common with the Money Changers in the Temple than Christ - but of far greater concern to the Kingdom are you and me. You see, what most folks know about Christ and Discipleship is what they see in us. Fancy chaps and spurs do not a cowboy make. Attendance and Bible studies every week do not make us disciples. A disciple is one who follows Jesus and seeks to be like Jesus 24/7 and not just one hour a week.

The disciple is the one who grabs a grocery cart, some lazy bones left in the parking space and takes it to the corral. A disciple is the one who takes time to listen to a friend's sorrows and shows empathy instead of adding to tired sorrows by telling them why they are not handling it correctly. A disciple will make a point of being there for one who is in need. In short, "love your neighbor as you love yourself." You cannot love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength, if you don't also love the people around you - friends, family and strangers.

Remember this ditty I have shared before:

You are writing the Gospel, a chapter each day;

In the things that you do and the words that you say.

People read what you write, whether faithless or true -

So ... what is the Gospel, according to you?"

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].