Let’s say you believed a person was a Christian, but then certain things happened in that person’s life. He donated to abortion clinics; he rallied in favor of same sex marriage; he began a world wide porn business; he made much money selling drugs; he became extremely violent; he was consumed with financial prosperity; and he advocated for all religions to be accepted as divine. When you asked this person why he had changed, he handed you a book he had written many years ago. It stated that he would adopt no particular religion and that all religions would be treated as equals. Now here are some penetrating questions:
Would you still strongly suggest that person was Christian?
Would you pledge allegiance to that person?
Would you hang a picture of that person in your Christian school?
Would you go to war to protect that person?
Would you display that person’s family banner in your church sanctuary?
Would you raise your children to emulate that person?
But let’s say that person’s name was Charlie America. Why would you not love and follow that person’s teachings but you will worship and give your allegiance to an entity name America? They both have the same theology.
Charlie America says:
ReplyDeleteI will give you your best life now if you will bow down and worship me.
Unfortunately true. It's a temptation and easy to glorify other things that replace Jesus.
ReplyDeleteEven the apostles started to become unreasonable in that way. Luke 22: 24 - "And there was also strife among them, which of them it was that should be accounted the greatest. And He(Jesus) said to them, The Kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them: and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger and he that is chief, as he that doth serve".
I guess we'll always have the world lord it over us. Governments are the "gentiles". They have to gain the trust of the majority of voters and, like in the U.S., promise they are obligated to represent all persuasions, all religions. It's interesting to note that Jesus called them benefactors. The definition of a benefactor is a patron, supporter, sponsor, backer, protector. Synonyms are philanthropist, humanitarian. Benefactors are people who support or help a person, an institution, by giving money. And money is the key here. Governments and any human institution relies heavily on money, which can be a root of evil, if the temptations are great enough.
Jesus knew that there would always be those 'gentiles' who were not under Jewish Law, that had the freedom to capitalize on others, who could charge interest on loans and create profitable institutions off the backs of people. But he commanded us that we should not be so.
Some in the church seem to want to lord it over others. They are becoming the ones that want to be the chiefs, not the younger. They seem to have aligned themselves with the gentile kings and demand to be served in exchange for support. So the church in essence, in the United States, (and historically in other nations as well), has joined at the hip of the gentile leaders and formed an allegiance as duel lords over the people.
And they that exercise authority upon them are called "benefactors". This describes the political landscape today. Churches that donate to their favorite candidate gentile King during election time. The church colluding with the world.
Sad and true.
ReplyDeleteThe Spirit of God more and more is helping us to understand the reality of
ReplyDelete2Corinthians 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Charlie America says:
ReplyDeleteDepart from those who are not part of the religious, political and economical system of the world as they are putting their trust in The Lord.
Very good analogy, unfortunately, very true. From our home to yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteRick, I have read many of your posts today and been edified. You are speaking truth and this is too rare today. Please don't stop. The nationalistic idolatry among American Christians is a cancer. Thank you for caring; thank you for your labor.
ReplyDelete