If we do not often feel
profoundly unworthy of God's redemption then we have not seen both our
sinfulness and His holiness.
If you defend Jesus with sharp
and vicious words then you are only defending yourself.
If you fight for your earthly
rights then you have relinquished your heavenly freedom.
If Jesus taught that war was
necessary when your lifestyle was threatened then Jesus was an American.
If you have truth with no love
then you do not have truth.
If you believe that any of
your own works help to make you holy then you are believing a lie.
If your Jesus is one of
several ways to eternal life then your Jesus is not God’s Jesus.
If you treat man’s word like
God’s Word then you are caught in idolatry.
If life in eternity really
exists then what else matters but seeking it?
If we believe the Bible is
true then we must obey it.
If Jesus is really returning
to earth does the western church seem to be preparing for it?
Posts
8 comments:
I never feel worthy, I just hope.
If.....I am worthy, Thank you Lord Jesus.
Cherie c.
Pastor Rick, these points are so true. The last point especially. Many modern Christians are taking God's blessings and using them to build their own kingdom, sadly there are many among them who actually do read their bibles.
All are thought provoking, but I really like the "American Jesus" one. I think to add it to my e-mail signature to bookend the following;
"But perhaps there is a better way called the way of Jesus,which should never be confused with the way of America."
Amen, Pastor Rick, Amen.
In fellowshipping with our LORD this morning reading and meditating upon Matthew 27, the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, one cannot help but reflect upon this fact: although the costumes have changed, the technology has changed, and our environments are in a perpetual state of change, we are rest assured of one cultural aspect; the heart of man remains the same - sinful.
"And those who passed by (Jesus) blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it up in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matthew 27:40-41
How many of us do whatever it takes to "save" ourselves? Do we do the 2 Timothy 3:1-5 routine all the while painting with a broad paintbrush and believing in a Jesus of our own imaginations? "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people, turn away!"
Continued......
Do those who attend religious services and activities each week really "look" any different than those we judge to be pagans and heathens? Or do they look more like fraternal twins? There is a short anecdote spoken within western Christianity today feeding its prey the pervading worm stating, "When those unbelievers see what we have, they will know that we are Christians and want what we have!"
Really? "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." Matthew 24:9 Jesus speaking privately to His disciples on the Mount of Olives
So then, how many Christians within our realm of influence are hated for Jesus' name's sake? Or, are we so enraptured in the characteristics and behaviors of Timothy 3, or perhaps Galatians 5:19-21, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
Continued....
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like, or which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
So then, a question arises once again. Just how many churches really worship and preach/teach Jesus in Spirit and Truth?
Or do most worship man and the spirit of the "self?"
How much of American Christianity is "man centered" and how much is "Christ centered?"
"And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed a knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified." Matthew 27:28-31
And Jesus, precious Jesus, did this so I could enjoy all of the comforts of this world? He did this so I could have a shiny yellow motorcycle and call it a worshipful blessing? Really?
Has the church of today become so engrossed in self theology that it has become more shallow than a slough on a drought year....with its mud so cracked up you dare not drop a coin for it will be irretrievable?
I too, made Jesus into someone and something unrecognizable and foreign to the truth of the Word of God...until I entered into a period of sickness and eventually surgery. Rather than running to the religious system with its earthly wisdom and knowledge, I instead, was led to the Word of God in studying the Gospels once again, seeing Jesus in a new Light and understanding His truths with an open heart.
I am sorry LORD, for I too, made You into a mere image of myself. I repent of my wretched sin.
I know now, that You did not come to make me healthy, wealthy, or prosperous, for I too will die one day and will have to give an answer before You, as we all will. And it is here, at the foot of the cross that I found freedom and liberty, not in pieces of paper penned with numbers and words called declarations of independence, constitutions, and
ammendments, but in Jesus Christ alone.
"So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:54
Even they recognized the Son of God after the fact. Praise You, O LORD. Amen.
......and when all is said and done at the end of the day, at the end of this earthly life, we can honestly say, "Praise You Jesus, for saving me from my sins/myself."
Congratulations to Anonymous. What you have written is spot on and worthy of reading many times. Dear readers, It so important that we praise the risen Lord Jesus for saving us.
Josef
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