So often we hear these days that Islam is a religion of hate. And there are many sects who practice hate and violence and call it Islam. But Christianity in the west has become a religion of hate. But in reality it is no longer Christianity at all. As you watch this video I would like you to imagine Jesus saying the things that this apostate preacher is saying. Here is the transcript above the video:
“To all humanists and atheists listening to this telecast: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness will not be in danger in any way if someone says ‘Merry Christmas’ around you. Someone will argue well it’s a Christian prayer … well yes it is and this is the United States of America that was founded by Christians on Christian principles according to the word of God.
And then the humanists argue and what about the atheists and my response is “What about them?”. No one is asking you to be baptized in the site of a manger. No one is going to pass the collection plate if you buy a manger. If you pass a manger scene and someone is singing ‘Joy to the World,’ you can take your Walkman and stuff it into your ears, or you can call your lawyer. Or you can just exercise your right to leave the country. Planes are leaving every hour on the hour. Get on one! It’s time for the majority to rule this nation!”
This false teacher even goes so far as to lie about the pagan origins of Christmas. He even compares saying "Merry Christmas" with the blood of the martyrs. Men like these champion earthly freedoms instead of the freedom found in Christ. The freedom found in Christ is humble and meek, while the freedom found on earth is brash and self serving. And the audience claps with glee because they say "Merry Christmas" defiantly. What a sad farce.
Now this results from an idol worship of a nation called America. And why shouldn’t this man worship America? He is a millionaire many times over and his entire family, including his second wife, have prospered immensely from this bastardized form of Christianity. He is the man who says the Jews do not need Jesus to be saved and that the Jewish people should keep their children away from the gospel. I wrote about that HERE.
Labels and pejoratives continue to feed the carnal nature of the church. Instead of saying lost people who need Christ we say they are atheists and humanists and liberals and all sorts of other people who act like the sinners many of us used to be. This is where Christianity now is and the gospel is something to be defended but not lived and shared. And just who is the gospel for? Is it for those who have cleaned themselves up and walk with a shadow of religion and show an allegiance to this nation and its Constitution? And then and only then are they candidates for the good news. What utter blasphemy.
Men like him spread hate for gays, and hate for liberals, hate for atheists, hate for Muslims, and hate for the Palestinians. What should be a faith which walks in gospel redemption has now been clothed in visceral arrogance, hedonism, and a hatred which is at odds with all Jesus taught. This kind of language flies in the face of the “love your enemies” teaching from the lips of our Lord. And just how do men like Hagee get away with such unbiblical and demonic attitudes and language? It’s because his audience also worship America and seeks personal wealth. Can you imagine fighting over the pagan holiday known as Christmas and suggesting Jesus is on a crusade to keep His name in the Roman Catholic title?
Over the space of almost eight years I have written about the dangers and heresy of nationalism which is the love and allegiance to an earthly nation. It continues to change the faith once delivered to the saints into a faith which defends the Constitution, pledges its allegiance to a fallen entity, attacks all who exercise their rights if they do not please us, embraces the idea that God desires to make you financially wealthy, and that we will lay down our lives to defend a concept and lifestyle which is antichrist. The day the church embraced the lie that America is a Christian nation was the day we left following Jesus.
So millions sit in pulpits and hear caustic and arrogant words of hate spewed against all sorts of miscreants who preachers believe are compromising their fairy tale vision of America, and then these same millions go to a restaurant or go home satisfied with the thought that they had heard the truth and had met with Jesus. Both of those thoughts are damnable deceptions. I have no idea who is saved and who is not. But I fear for the salvation of those who profess a faith in a Jesus who is so extremely at odds with anything Scripture teaches about Him. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons follow another Jesus by their teachings about Him. So how can we say anything different when men like Hagee teach a Jesus who has nothing to do with the revelation of Himself in Scripture? I used to think that men like Hagee who have a “sound” statement of faith about Jesus but who exhibit a false Christ in their attitudes, speech, and actions were saved but severely misguided. I now do not have that confidence. The deception may be much more profound than that.
Take heed to what I am sharing. This issue of nationalism is not just some minor aberration within the faith which taints some element of our faith. No, this is a foundational issue which given enough time changes the heart and mind so dramatically that eventually it alters the faith altogether. And the end result, as we can see and hear in the video, it completely changes the truth about Jesus Himself. You can believe the Westminster Confession, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Nicene Creed but if you love and pledge your allegiance to a false Jesus through nationalism you are in grave danger. You may not express it the way John Hagee does, but make no mistake nationalism is a great sin against Jesus and it completely undermines the faith He taught.
I ask you, I beg you, I beseech you, examine your heart and see if there is anything which smacks of hatred toward sinners or a love and allegiance for anything upon this earth. And if there is then repent and cast out the bondwoman for she has no place within the house of Jesus. This kind of thing should break our hearts and make us determined not to follow in the footsteps of these heretics but seek out and diligently follow in our Lord’s blood bought footsteps. May we be like Jesus and not just like good citizens.
There it is.
ReplyDeleteA revelation for these last days, given to America by the Lord, who is so merciful. Not only does He save His children, He continually saves all from themselves every day. He could just shake His Head and forsake us in our wicked ways, and leave us to continue in delusion until the end.
But no, He, in his love for us and in His mercy, sends watchmen and His prophets to warn us, and does not want any to eternally perish. He loves those who are called by His Name who have erred, and He loves the sinners equally. No man can say Jesus loves them more than He loves the atheists (lawyered up), Muslims, etc. He is no respecter of persons. He died for every citizen of the world, caught either in their carnality, unbelief, or phariseeical delusions. He loves both and wants both and here America is, being the great stage for a spiritual battle for the world to see, and America is found wanting. The writing is on the wall and if christians don't wake up from the hypnotic trance that Satan has veiled over their eyes, it will be the "christians' who are the great persecutors of the church. They will round up unbelieves and put THEM into camps, and the deluded church will round up ammunition and threaten those without the camp to either enter in and conform or leave. Not only are some churches like Hagee adopting this unbiblical attitude, but they are unwittingly becoming Satan's new tool and army, who want to remove the offending stench of sin from their purist surroundings. Only, their own sin stinks more.
If no one notices a hint of Naziism here, we are in for hard times. But all a real christian can do is pray, and do what the early church was taught to do. NOT topple governments, but be shod with the spiritual armor of God, the gospel of peace.
J.
Don't invite atheists to hear the gospel, don't preach that...just call them dummies and tell them to leave the country, then have a good laugh. There's so much pride all around him.
ReplyDeleteFirst off I'm not sure what historical research you have done about "Christmas"? Here is an excerpt from "Pious Fabrications.com" written by a Historian:
ReplyDelete"...The earliest mention of such a feast comes from St. Hippolytus of Rome's Commentary on Daniel, written in about 202 CE; I will discuss this particular passage a bit more in depth in the next section. ".
History proves Christians since the time of the Resurrection set aside a day annually to honor the birth of Christ with a feast.
There is another research done by a lawyer turned astrologer who with the assistance of NASA'S calculating computers that map the earth's orbit around the sun and the moon cycles and the planets concluded December 25th is the most likely day for Christ's birth. That research is called the "Bethlehem Star".
Both these from many I could cite clearly refute the notion that Christmas was a pagan celebration usurped by Christianity. It's my belief after my research that it is just the opposite, that is, pagans were and still are trying to usurp a known historical fact that Christians have been celebrating Christ's birth and traditions annually and over time the celebrations have evolved into the things most people associate with the birth of Jesus, gift giving, the tree, the nativity crèche and so on.
As for Hagee, he doesn't speak Biblical Truth as the Holy Spirit teaches. I believe he too has evolved into this mindset you've mentioned, that is, the gospel he teaches and preaches is another gospel and he would be and should be considered "accursed" according to Galatians 1.
Galatians 1: 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
I wholeheartedly agree we need to represent Christ and the Gospel without prejudice leaving the salvation of their soul to God and the Word of His Grace!
Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Even if Christmas was clearly spelled out in Scripture and ordained as a holy day (which it is not) the observance as it is practiced today is heathen at its core.
ReplyDelete"St. Hippolytus of Rome's Commentary on Daniel, written in about 202 CE;"
ReplyDeleteThis is the basis of truth that the early church celebrated a man made religious day that promotes Mary more than Jesus? You want us to rely upon Catholic documentation? Never.
The Word of God is what I rely upon for truth, not some man's interpretation of it. The Book of Acts is a clear depiction of how the early church developed and it didn't include Christmas.
No disrespect Michael, but this is what Pastor Rick is talking about. To keep practicing this pagan day, we create justifications for the things we do which we ought not to do, and it's wrong. Hey, I enjoy the lights, all all the "trappings of that day, but decided not to dishonor our Savior by putting Him in a day that has nothing to do with Him.
There is a reason, probably unbeknownst to the author, why they call the things of that day "trappings". It is a trap filled with hedonism, self righteousness and false worship. It is a stumbling block to a child of God.
I don't know about others, but I take the Judgment Seat of Christ seriously. No one seems to be fearful of this actual event. I would rather do as Peter wrote;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
I can not tell you how badly I was attacked this month from all sides because I do not celebrate this day. That because my husband does, the utter guilty I felt having to help him so he could participate in this day. How sad I feel and full of remorse that I again compromised to keep peace. Yes, some may say I was obedient to my husband, I say I compromised. I don't want to compromise. I hate it. Compromise the Grace given to me causes guilt and remorse. I may be viewed as disobedient, but I will not compromise again. There will be no next year for me. The time is now to repent. I have and I am at peace with it.
Again I say I would rather do as Peter wrote in 1Peter 3:17 than what man says I should do. I rather take the wrath of man, than the wrath of God. For those who see differently; I guess we will find out what was correct and what wasn't.
I am not the student of the Word I should be, much to my shame. However I endeavor to search the Scriptures and be a good steward of the grace which was given to me. I have not found anywhere in the Word of God where it says to remember the birth of Jesus. Show me biblical instruction or mandate and I will repent and put up a tree next December. But please do not give me man made, man written documents as proof, especially by a church that is anti-Christ to the max.
Peace be to you Michael, and to all those who think this day is a good thing. I respectfully decline.
As far as John Hagee goes; if one chooses to believe him, then they completely disavow what Scripture says;
ReplyDeleteRomans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Please pray for John Hagee to repent because of what he will face at the Judgement Seat of Christ. He is so wrong on so many levels it actually hurts to see him preach. His hate towards atheists and Jews, etc. is very evident.
Jesus said no one comes to the Father but by me. Why would Hagee do the direct opposite? Angel of light comes to mind. I don not believe he is a deceived brother in the Lord. I believe he is the epitome of who Jesus said would come in His Name.
We will all have to give an account. Does that not put a bit of fear into you? Make you wonder a bit? I sure feel it.
your sister in Christ Jesus
Cherie, what? The Catholic Church didn't exist in the third century. You should read accurate history. St Hippolytus was an early church father (ECF) of that era. He was inline with Eastern Orthodoxy. The RCC is indeed a man made, made up religion. But what I cited isn't from Roman Catholcism. It deals with history about the Roman Empire and their heavy hand on Judaism which affected the Christians of that time period for doing precisely what Rick's article calls for from Christians in the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteYou might not be separating your emotional experience with History.
The early church fathers are not an inspired source. We only see what they believed. There is no Scriptural evidence whatsoever that even hints ate Christmas, or for that matter any New Testament holidays. That is why the Roman Catholic Church makes a big deal of Christmas because they are a religion of externals. We should not be.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I must.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I looked up Hippolytus and this is what I found regarding his writings.
Hippolytus's principal work is the Refutation of all Heresies.[2] Of its ten books, Book I was the most important.[6] It was long known and was printed (with the title Philosophumena) among the works of Origen. Books II and III are lost, and Books IV–X were found, without the name of the author, in a monastery of Mount Athos in 1842. E. Miller published them in 1851 under the title Philosophumena, attributing them to Origen of Alexandria. They have since been attributed to Hippolytus.
Hippolytus's voluminous writings, which for variety of subject can be compared with those of Origen of Alexandria, embrace the spheres of exegesis, homiletics, apologetics and polemic, chronography, and ecclesiastical law. Hippolytus recorded the first liturgical reference to the Virgin Mary, as part of the ordination rite of a bishop.[8]
His works have unfortunately come down to us in such a fragmentary condition that it is difficult to obtain from them any very exact notion of his intellectual and literary importance.
"Hippolytus recorded the first liturgical reference to the Virgin Mary, as part of the ordination rite of a bishop."
He was very much Catholic although there was no official "Catholic Church during his time. However Rome did have Popes in the 200's of which he lived.
Part of his life:
As a presbyter of the church at Rome under Pope Zephyrinus (199–217), Hippolytus was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. It was at this time that Origen of Alexandria, then a young man, heard him preach.[5]
Origen of Alexandria was someone who has head Hippolytus preach, do you know what Origen of Alexandria wrote?
Origen was a scholar and early Christian theologian who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria. He was a prolific writer in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, philosophical theology, preaching, and spirituality. Some of his reputed teachings, such as the pre-existence of souls, the final reconciliation of all creatures, including perhaps even the devil (the apokatastasis),[2] and the subordination of the Son of God to God the Father, later became controversial among Christian theologians.
ReplyDeletephilosophical theology
What does the Word of God say about philosophical theology?
It says:
Colossians 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
I was correct in saying Catholic, the only technicality was no official Catholic Church until the 4th century. Still, not a reliable source for Christmas. Only the Bible is the true Word of God Michael. When will we stop looking to man for God's wisdom and teaching? When will be go back to the simplicity of the Faith once delivered to the saints?
One more thing, Calvin and Luther brought with them out of the Catholic Church similar doctrine and false teachings. There is no denominations mentioned in the Bible. Even Paul blasted those who would divide the early church with "following particular disciples instead of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 3:3-11;
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Reformation was a good thing whereas it brought the Word of God to an English translation. Then man corrupted it by elevating men to status of worship by creating churches and denominations and publishing works after them. No one deserves credit for the Lord's work but God.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Only Rick knows if this should be posted, because I'm kind of off topic. I can't understand why we have such a good thing and then err. Understanding and interpreting scripture to suit nationalism or a legalistic spirit or whatever really is discouraging.
ReplyDeleteI am discouraged. I can't open my mouth or even write, because it might offend anyone, everyone, non-christian AND christian, alike.
Just read James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
I want to follow Jesus and obey every word. If I could obey every minute detail in the gospels and epistles, I'd be a happy woman. I cringe when I read every word, because I know I can't possibly fulfill every command. Like, for instance, I didn't go out today and visit the fatherless and widows. Or, I have to ask myself every day, did I follow an idol or create an idol in my heart?
If I were to sit and go through every verse with a fine-tooth comb, I'd be exhausted. I want to obey and grow and mature, but it's a process. Like, for instance, I personally was convicted at my rebirth about dressing more femininely and modestly. Not that I was immodest, but it just hit me that dressing to the nines made me ask, who am I dressing up for? Other men?
I know that Christmas is a thorn in the flesh for some here. I understand and am in awe that some here have the strength to overcome their fear of men and not participate in the day's celebration. I believe that we all receive a revelation from the Lord. He meets us where we are and for one, this is very important, and for that other one, something else is vitally important. Maybe idols are not a thing that the Lord imparted to me at the beginning, but he did show me how the culture is adronygous and would have men dress like women and women like men. It would have all women look like harlots. One verse in the epistles asks women not to adorn themselves with excessive jewelry and cosmetics. Women who painted their eyes in biblical times were pretty much referred to as harlots. It's necessary for me to point this out, not because I care if a woman here follows this teaching, but to show that just because I received a conviction about it, I don't wish to push my revelatory experience down someone else's throat. If a christian has a revelation and it truly convicts them they should not have a Christmas tree, then Halleluia. I still decorate my home. I don't know why. I am weary sometimes with well-doing and also weary with trying to sort out "not doing". There are so many things to lay down at the altar, I'd be preoccupied with what is pagan and what is not in every second of my life.
I remember taking my elderly mother and her elderly friend to a church fellowship and we talked about Jesus. Yet, I had a Christmas tree up. Did the tree curse us? I hope not, but weeks after my mother said the 'sinner's prayer with a christian lady she met in her apartment building. All I know is that the Lord is occupied with our souls, and the progress of our faith in Him and He works with us individually and at different stages and some of need a good dose of "do nots" and others need a good dose of "dos".
J.
Sorry, to be so long-winded here. What I mean by the "do nots" and "dos" is some are convicted by the Holy Spirit to put away bad habits, behaviors. Others, in their walks, are convicted by the Holy Spirit to act in faith and activate works.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer life might not be the same as another's prayer life. One's holiness walk may not be as perfected as another ones. We shouldn't compare ourselves to each other today. If we do, it causes contentions and puts a christian under duress and stress that God does not want him to be under.
For instance, if a christian is worried that their child might commit suicide, is it the right time for another christian to berate the parent that they put up Christmas trees??????? We are majoring in the minors. I don't want to major in the minors. The world is falling apart and I just don't know where to pick up the pieces. I want to visit the fatherless and widows and have to press myself to get out there and find a way to meet people and introduce them to Jesus, even though I put a wreath up on my wall. I like wreaths, and I have no clue where the origins of them came from, but I know that I have wood furniture from trees and I don't worship the furniture. I don't have the time or the energy to comb through every possible breaking of every law. It's an abomination in the OT for a woman to dress like a man. If an apostle returned from the grave and saw what we wear today, would he rebuke us? If we spend thousands of dollars on our wedding, is that excess? Should a christian woman buy a wedding dress that costs thousands of dollars? Or even hundreds of dollars? From the moment we get up in the morning to the moment we go to bed, have we lived perfectly before the Lord in every way? NO. Every time we breathe, we probably have committed an offense.
I tHank the Lord for His patience and mercy, for giving wisdom to His teachers and for this blog. I thank Him for everyone here. we all share our walk and all have been hit with His conviction power in so many ways. It's all good. I just need to relegate all my weaknesses to Him. James says, "keeping ourselves unspoiled from the world". That leaves so much to each individual interpretation, depending on the mileage in their christian walk. To some, it might mean avoiding all carnality, and others it might mean all appearance of worshipping idols.
One thing I think we can agree on is the Church has been hijacked by 'hate' and it's a "major". We can at least all agree and unite in prayer that the Lord provide one last true revival and lift the veil off one last time before His return, if He wills.
Satan tries to distract with this false 'war on Christmas' getting every opinion out there on trees and pagans and black or white Santas and when the true date of Jesus was born, but pure and undefiled religion is not about majoring in the minors. I'm thinking out loud tonight and sharing my thoughts. I'm preaching to myself here. Love you all!
J.
J
ReplyDeleteIf you were standing here right now I'd give you such a big hug.....
=D
your sister in Christ Jesus
ReplyDeleteJ, why do you put a Christmas tree up when your focus should be on the tree of life? Why do you put up lights when your focus should be on the light of the world?
Blessings,
James
James: I'm not sure why you care about what I do in my personal life on celebrations. I shared about how we all have to pick our battles, and I don't feel that is a particular battle that the Lord is dealing with me now.
ReplyDeleteShould I have told my elderly parents (when they were alive) that we wouldn't celebrate Christmas and turned them away? Maybe some christians feel that is staying true to the word; but I didn't have the heart to turn them down, nor my kids. Yes, I am weak in certain areas. I have a real problem being kind of like a "Clark Griswald" when it comes to Christmas and that's one battle that may take longer for me than others.
Jesus took corn to eat from a field because they were hungry on a Sabbath. Jesus taught that God made the Sabbath for man, not man for the Sabbath. Sometimes we are in a situation where respecting our parents has to override decorating a home with holiday decorations or serving a meal in remembrance of our Lord's birth on earth. We eat in restaurants that are run by pagans, Hindu, Chinese, Asian, Thai, Mexican, Cambodian, etc. Would you be as concerned about christians when they eat in restaurants cooked and served by staff who follow other religions. Has anyone had thoughts on what is appropriate where we eat? Do we eat in restaurants that have statues and mythylogical dragons in them? Where do we stop? Should we all make our own clothes, cook our own food (I do, because we can't afford restaurants), depend on our own plumbing, water, electricity? Or do we depend on companies that might have heathen practices? Pick a category and we pretty much all participate in something that has been touched by a heathen world. If I see a christian that has given up ALL and can survive in this world, then I'll believe it can be done. Until then, I'm working out my salvation one day at a time.
J.
James, please, she is working on many things. Please do not address this issue with her right now. We all have at one time or another had to work out our salvation. The Lord will deal with this issue with her in His time. Just love and pray for her.
ReplyDeleteyour sister in Christ Jesus
"Faith in Christ brings liberty, joy and great peace." A quote from Dave Hunt.
ReplyDeletePlease take this in context with Scripture. No being in the Faith is not a party, but there is joy unexplainable with Life in Christ. We can at times make our own misery when we allow the world in.
No matter how many thank yous I say, it could never equal the cost Jesus paid for my sins and yours. Although we joy in the Lord, we also need to be brought back down to earth that it was us that put Him on the cross. Our disobedience that started with Adam. I still read that Eve was the one who was disobedient first. But the blame is put on Adam for caving into his wife, then blaming God for giving Eve to him.
We all tend to push the blame off ourselves and onto something or someone else. OUR disobedience and rebellion is what caused the need for the cross. May our heart and mind humbly ponder our sins today and what it cost God to sacrifice His Son for us. How undeserved we truly are.
your sister in Christ Jesus
J,
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, Jesus did say that if we don't hate our father, mother, sister, brother and children, even our very life, we cannot follow Him.
It is time for all of us to stop using family as an excuse not follow Jesus as He asks. This is the endeavor Pastor Rick is trying to initiate. Denying Self, A Call To Worship, Preparing the Heart are posts to help us to a mature faith in Christ. When we come to the Lord and say, "Lord, I have to buy presents for my boys because it would hurt them if I didn't. Um,,,they like decorations, a tree, and I know your Word says that we should refrain from idol worship, but Lord, you understand, don't you?" It was not the disappointment my kids would face that made me do christmas, it was the fear of letting go of something we always did, in ignorance, but no longer are ignorant of. It was the fear of what they would say to me, or be disappointed in me that made me compromise. But no more. I still want to give them gifts, but will do it throughout the year and not next December. They know this and they are not too upset. Cory was more upset the Jeff, but then I was the one who ingrained this day in his heart. So I am the one, with prayer and patience, and love, undo what I have done. The lie I perpetuated. So far, he still loves me. =D
I used to pray that to the Lord more or less. After really getting Luke 14:26, I can see that my justification to celebrate xmas was all but shot. What I am saying is Jesus knew all the excuses we would come up with. Like His parable about the wedding feast and those invited gave an excuse why they couldn't attend. We have no excuse that would ever be right. I know you are working on understanding it all. It is very difficult to say the least. I know, I struggled with it too. That is also one of the posts by Pastor Rick Slaying the Giants, and he didn't mean the football team, who by the way ended their season with a win. yeah!
Luke 14:26
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Eating corn on the Sabbath was His way to let us know He is God. We are not at liberty to do as He did in this context because we are not God. I know what you are trying to say, but I think it better lends itself to the Scripture about working out our salvation. We must be careful not to put ourselves on par with God in any thing we try to explain. God in His time will help you to see that we need to give up all for Him including family. But we are not all at that point. I don't know what that means or what we would face if we were to meet our Lord, but I know time is of the essence to correct all we do that is not in the Will of God before we have to answer for it. I know that I have a lot to account for when I face Jesus. I pray that I do not add to it.
your sister in Christ Jesus.
Jackie and Cherie, congratulations for you have both made big strides forward this year in your efforts to bring glory to God.
ReplyDeleteCherie writes:
God in His time will help you to see that we need to give up all for Him including family.
James replies:
God wants us to love our families and in Christ we can do it in His power to His glory.
does this scripture bring any light to the subject -
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 5:16
Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh].
If we no longer know Christ after the flesh, why do we celebrate His birth?
History may bear out a celebration, yet history also shows us men leaving scripture and forming groups resulting in 1000's upon 1000's of different denominations...
History cannot be used to justify Christmas...If it's not in the bible, it's a man-made thing...
If we no longer know Christ after the flesh, why do we celebrate His birth?
ReplyDeleteConcise, and to the point, excellent! Amen, brcorcoran!
Can I use that?
your sister in Christ Jesus
James, what Scripture says we are to love our family? We are commanded to love our neighbor who is everyone. Also, I never said don't love your family, I meant. be ready to give them up for the Lord.
If they reject Christ, then I will have to leave them behind at some point. What does the term give up all mean? Give up all; people, things, ideas, desires....all.
No one wants to have to give up people they love, but at some point we need to make a choice, and my choice is to follow Jesus even if it costs me everything. It already has cost me some, but nothing compared to others or what it cost God to redeem our sinful lives.
Yes, someday, if they do not repent and believe on Jesus we will be separated. Either by His return, or by death and heaven or hell. I'm putting all on Jesus, not people no matter who they are.
You cannot serve God and man, we must choose. If God is not a respecter of persons, then we shouldn't be either.
Matthew 8:19-22
19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And we are to honor our father and mother, but Jesus, in this passage, is telling us that we must choose.
I love my family, but I love the Lord more. Go ahead and call me names, say I am unloving and unappreciative of my family, but they abandon me every time I speak about the Lord. They did not give up their son so I could live. They do not want to acknowledge they are sinners in need of a savior, they only care about what they care about. My oldest son says that the Gospel is a myth. Can you imagine how much it hurt to hear that? To know the consequences of that statement? To know where that mindset will send my son? I do not take his eternal death lightly, nor do I take lightly him saying my Lord's life, death, and resurrection is a myth.
What should I do? It is not easy to say these things. But they are true. All I can do is pray for them and stay in the Faith and love them, but I will not compromise for them. I have compromised for them much to my shame. I hate no one, but I will not, will not, give up the Lord. Everything else, but not Him. Anyone who claims to be in the Faith and would put anyone before the Lord should examine themselves to see if they are in the Faith.
Yes, it would bring unspeakable joy to have my entire family saved. It is a prayer constantly on my lips, but I know the truth, and until they come to a saving knowledge of the Lord, I will continue on as I have, prayerfully, tearfully, and broken for them. It is all I can do. We must all choose, as my family must choose. So far they choose themselves. It hurts to say that, but it would be a lie to say otherwise. I choose Christ. May He have mercy on me and my family.
your sister in Christ Jesus
A few thoughts. If people feel the need to have a birthday party for Jesus, at least get the month right. The Bible tells us when He was born. Six months after John the Baptist who was born in the month of Nisan (March/April) which puts the birth of Christ around Sept./Oct. If celebrating His birthday was important, He would have made it clear and the apostles would have told us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I take issue with most Christians over who the "Lost" are today. Like Rick, most think that everyone who rejects Christ compromises the lost, but I disagree and so does Christ. The lost are those who have never heard the Gospel. They have never heard of Jesus, never been presented with His Word and haven't been told about sin and God's wrath. I don't think there are too many lost in the world today. I hear too many using the name of God in vain, and trying to justify their wicked lifestyles for that to be true.
Once you've heard the Good News and reject it by continuing to live in wickedness and rebellion you are at enmity with God. Jesus warned us not to give what is holy to the dogs. He told his disciples not to return to cities that rejected the Good News, but to shake the dust off their feet. Weeping and mourning over those who reject Christ isn't scriptural. Jesus never demonstrated such emotion. He didn't chase down those who didn't believe and debate them into Heaven while crying. He didn't weep and pray for the world (lost), but only those given to Him (election) by the Father.
I also get annoyed by Christians who cherry pick the Sermon on the Mount and use it as a blueprint for living. The point of the Sermon is that we can't do anything Jesus talks about, but He did everything for us. It points to Him and not us, which is why He summarizes it by stating "Be perfect". This Sermon is the hardest burden and heaviest yoke imaginable, unless you take yourself out of the equation and understand that Jesus is raising the bar of the Law to unattainable standards that only He can attain.
Not going to debate the Sermon on the mount. Jesus most certainly did mourn over those who rejected Him;
ReplyDeleteLuke 19:41-44
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Our hearts should be broken for those who reject Christ for we know their fate if they continue to deny Him.
Your post reads cold and without compassion and it is partially contradictory.
"Also, I take issue with most Christians over who the "Lost" are today.
As a Christian, you should not be taking issue with anything regarding the lost of this world, you and I were once them. We are called to love, not take issue about who is lost and who is not. It is a battle of semantics. Unnecessary at best.
"Like Rick, most think that everyone who rejects Christ compromises the lost, but I disagree and so does Christ."
Where does Christ say this? Please again see Luke 19:41-44. All those who are lost are those who by birth reject God, period. Whether in ignorance or willful disregard, they are all lost. Did you not read about the two sons? Matthew 21:28-32
"The lost are those who have never heard the Gospel. They have never heard of Jesus, never been presented with His Word and haven't been told about sin and God's wrath."
Did you not read the NT where Jesus would speak in the synagogues and some would believe and some would not? Kind of discredits the highlighted statement of yours. Also we are taught by Paul in Romans that everyone is born with some knowledge of God but reject it;
Romans 1:18-23
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Yes, they still need to hear about Jesus, but we all need to hear about him as often as possible if not daily.
ReplyDelete"I don't think there are too many lost in the world today. I hear too many using the name of God in vain, and trying to justify their wicked lifestyles for that to be true."
This is where you are contradictory. You say ""Like Rick, most think that everyone who rejects Christ compromises the lost, but I disagree and so does Christ."
then you say you don't think there are too many lost people. Which is it? There are professed Christians that live exactly as you have described and they are lost. Whether you call it deceived or lost, still the same fate. Death and eternal punishment.
Love all people with a love only in Christ Jesus. There are many things that annoy me too, but as I have learned the hard way, looking at these things with a hard heart only brings self righteousness. I have been corrected, repented and now view things from a different perspective.
If God loves us to the point of sending His Son to die in our place, the least we can do is as He commanded. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength, and thy neighbor as thyself. Peace.
your sister in Christ Jesus
Cherie, we cannot accomplish the greatest commandment of loving God with all our soul, mind, & strength. That is the law and it convicts us because we cannot do it, Jesus, however, fulfilled the law perfectly in our place.
ReplyDelete1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
ReplyDelete1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
There are no perfect Christians, none have yet attained perfection in their walk with Christ. Why can we not be satisfied with simply knowing Christ and Him crucified?It seems we are bent upon making sure we show ourselves at a higher level, whether of knowledge or understanding or whatever. In due season the Lord shall instruct us if we remain open to Him. Until such time I revel in the knowledge that I do know Him and bask in His glory.
Anonymous and Ron,
ReplyDeleteHow can this be? The commandments given by Jesus are not impossible when you have the Holy Spirit.
Completely ignore James? I just don't understand! Faith without works is no faith at all. It is hard to grasp but not when lead by the Spirit. I just don't get it. (shaking head in shock) We don't have the ability to love God as stated in Scripture, even with the Holy Spirit? We can't love our neighbor as our-self? Huh? Then why would Jesus tell us to do this? This is not the "law" as given in the OT.
Pastor, can you give a teaching about this? Again I know what the Word says. I am now distraught because I take what Jesus said as truth. Is it or isn't it what we should do? I'm so sick of this. It can't possibly be wrong!
Peace
your sister in Christ Jesus
I cannot for the life of me see how people can sit week after week listening to this arrogant hireling and his son.Truth of the matter is that Cornerstone is just a family business and nothing more.
ReplyDeleteGod desires to bless man with a fervent desire to preach the gospel to the lost!
ReplyDeleteGod doesn't give up on the lost. Jesus died a sacrificial death in order to offer them the hope of reconciliation.
Luke 15: 4-6 shows us very clearly that the lost are objects of Christ's mission.
The lost are those who have been blinded by Satan. They are defiled, unregenerate and separated from God. I also was once blinded by Satan. Defiled, unregenerate and separated from God but God is loving, gracious, compassionate, merciful and forgiving.
He is well able to lead man in paths of righteousness and bless him with a new life in Christ!
Blessings,
James
Thank you. Your blog is new to me but what I've read is very encouraging. I look forward to familiarizing myself with it.
ReplyDeleteIn Christ,
Vicki
Thank you. I have just discovered your blog and I am very encouraged by it. I sometimes wonder if there is anyone out there who believes as I do. I don't feel quite so alone after reading this material.
ReplyDeleteIn Christ
Johnel_1