Lk.23: 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. Jesus was dead. The One who brought so much healing and joy to people had succumbed to the vicious assault of wicked hands. His body was worn and battered, His eyes were swollen shut, and he was covered in His own blood. Lifeless He hangs, His heart beats no more. The entire vision is repellent to the normal human senses. This was no quick and easy death; this was a brutal torture. And now He is gone. No memorial ceremony. No eulogies. No flowers. Nothing at all. He who was without sin bowed to death because of our sin. Do not attempt to sanitize this scene and this event. Do not suppose our Creator cannot feel. And just because He knows the beginning from the end, do not believe the Father felt nothing. He is not some impersonal power that exists without feeling or emotion. Yes, He is a mystery, but He has pulled back the veil ever so slightly so that we might know of Him and indeed know Him. But since His power and knowledge are infinite, why do we relegate His feelings to less than they deserve? Is it because we cannot bear to even think of it, much less reach down into our spirits and imagine what the Father felt as He watched the body of His Son being taken down from that cruel tree? Gad had loved Adam, and now His descendents had murdered His only begotten Son. Do you believe God was busy with the stars? Was He preoccupied with the angels? Of course I speak as a fool. No, in a colossal mystery that must have shaken creation itself, God feels divine emotions for His Son. Yes the Father sees the coming resurrection, but that cannot block His feelings for the Son. As the Son has loved the Father, so the Father loves the Son. It is quite beyond us, but it is true nonetheless. We know a little of those three days in the grave, but surely we do not know fully what happened. Dare we discount any mystery and protest that we know everything? Dare we present God as an aloof deity Who cares nothing but for He Himself? And if we must present Him as such, then we must tear out the New Testament since it makes any such suggestions as lies. I cannot in my own mind, much less in my own words, adequately, fully, and with the glory due His name reveal the completeness of His Person, but just the glimpses we have been given should saturate the spirit and fill the heart to overflowing! And to think that the first moment we lay our spirit eyes upon Him will soar way beyond all that we knew and thought we knew about Him. Reserved only for His redeemed, the beauty, majesty, and glory will be revealed for all eternity. Who can know it? But lest we forget or pack it away in some dusty, doctrinal box, Jesus died. The thing that frightens mankind most was taken for us. Not a moment of discomfort, but a profound experience of eternal death suffered for His very enemies. Oh yes, not just a biological death that we all must face, but an unfathomable and expansive death placed upon this Lamb for all mankind. Again, who can know it? And as they take Him down from that wooden altar, they bring Him to the borrowed tomb. The stone is pushed into place, and the place is deserted except for some soldiers that guard His lifeless frame. It is finished. The resurrection is coming, but we can never forget what He has accomplished. He died for us. So easy to say. The words flow so freely and can be spoken while reading a newspaper. But that truth should move us, and imprison us, every moment of every day. God died. God died for us. Sad and yet thrilling. Tragic and yet victorious. Horrific and yet beautiful. And one day, one unimaginable day, those who embraced that death will be engulfed in the eternal reality which is His everlasting glory. Again and again and again - who can know it? On that day we will know even as we are known. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!!
Matt.29: 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV) I Cor.9: 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Jesus was a servant and Paul followed in His footsteps. Just what does a servant of Jesus look like?
Does a servant of Jesus change the bandages of the infected wounds of an AIDs victim or does he protest against him? Does a servant of Jesus remain silent when spoken against or does he retaliate in like fashion? Does a servant of Jesus demand more money or does he work as unto His Lord? Does a servant of Jesus complain about his circumstances or does he serve joyfully in all circumstances? Does a servant of Jesus visit a death row inmate or does he rejoice that he is getting what he deserved? Does a servant of Jesus demand his rights or does he serve at the pleasure of his Master? Does a servant of Jesus argue with other servants or is he much too busy serving? Does a servant of Jesus endure all afflictions with humble grace or does he loudly complain? Does a servant of Jesus receive persecution silently or does he defend himself? Does a servant of Jesus demand that lost people act like saved people or does he love them to win them? Welcome to the western culture of individualism, self elevation, and self aggrandizement. He who hesitates is lost, and go after your dreams are some of the mantras in this culture that is teeming with humanism. People with bigger than life personas are admired and emulated, while humble servants walk unknown and with no fanfare. We have lost even the concept of what it means to be a servant of Jesus. It has become so diluted, so compromised, and so commingled with the western culture that it no longer has any authentic definition and is no longer desired. The church now has superstars whose every word is received as absolute truth. Men now receive tithes personally to stuff their own pockets. Men write books supposedly based upon the Scriptures which were freely given to us by God, however these men become wealthy on their book royalties. You can find them signing their books for people paying homage to their spiritual prowess. This phenomenon is practiced from the most orthodox circles all the way to the most liberal. Even books on “servant hood” are merchandised and help others prosper financially. Can there be any greater paradox? We have been called as servants. We have been bought with a price and we are not our own, and yet we are free in Christ. But living and breathing within the glory of that mystery is a truth and a majestic reality that we are servants of the Most High God, Jesus. It would be infinitely beyond our comprehension to fully understand the depth of the condescension involved in the Incarnation. God the Word, Jesus the Eternal Potentate, strips Himself of His rightful glory and allows Himself to be clothed as a man. The mystery of all mystery. Paul says “great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh…”. We are moved with sentimentality when we see Bethlehem’s manger. We are amazed at His many miracles. We are challenged by His compassion. But have we really meditated upon the humiliation it took for Him to even come to this world? This is no doctrinal aside, and if we set our hearts to embrace it, it will be a living principle in which we should live. The servant of Jesus must reject fully the dictates and mores of this culture. They are all antithetical to what it means to be His servant. While the world loudly proclaims you a "winner” you must defer to the bloody hill. While the world hurls accolades at athletes and actors and politicians and intellects, you must bow to Him who had no place to place His head. While the world presents the allurements of material and status, you must keep your eyes on the prize that can only be won through humility and the poverty of spirit. A servant of Jesus must not be moved by the temptations of the temporal. We must be single minded in our devotion to Him without the poison of self. How many times did the self righteous people accuse Jesus of rubbing shoulders with known sinners? And in one such recorded instance Jesus allowed a woman whose questionable morals were known to worship Him. Even His disciples were perplexed. Why? Because without the Holy Spirit no man can know the depth and the scope of God’s redemption. Because Jesus knew what lay ahead for every man eternally, He was willing to reach out to the most vociferous and demonstrative sinners of His day regardless of what the self righteous crowd thought about it and about Him. And anytime you see someone today castigate sinners, or protest against certain sinners, or even make a stand against certain sins the foundation of their spiritual life, you will know that they do not understand redemption, and they surely do not understand the depth of their own sin even as a believer. We are servants of Jesus. The Nazis would proclaim that they had no other gods before them but Germany and Hitler. As servants of Jesus we must have no other gods before the One and True God, the Lord Jesus Christ. And to know Him, to serve Him, is to know humility, self denial, and a gospel spirit of redemption that dares to walk among sinners. His servants do not fear what man can do to them. Their heart’s cry is, “Speak, Lord, you servants is waiting”. Robert McCheyne, that faithful Scottish preacher, shared this story of servant hood. About the beginning of the 1800’s there were many lepers in the continent of Africa. It was a miserable disease and most contagious. There were many camps to which lepers must go and live and be removed from society. One day a missionary from England happened to be on a hilltop in South Africa, and as he glanced over the wall that surrounded the leper camp he saw two lepers plowing a filed. One had lost his hands to this horrible and painful disease while the other had lost his feet. The one without hands was carrying the one without feet, and they would stop at each pre-dug hole in the field. The one with hands, riding on the other’s back, would drop a seed into the hole while the other would cover it with dirt by his foot. The missionary was undone. Who could, who would go and be a gospel servant for such as these? Two young boys, Moravian missionaries, heard about the situation. They began to pray, and both boys felt the leading of the Spirit to go into the leper village and be Jesus to these pitiful souls. They knew the consequences. Once a person enters such a village they were forbidden to come out again. It was a death sentence. But both boys did not hesitate since they were both convinced by the Spirit that this was to be the filed to which they were called. Those two boys willingly and humbly forsook their entire lives and went to preach to and love these people. And through their example the Spirit drew others that hoped they may soon join them. That my friends is servant hood. That is the faith once delivered to the saints. That is Jesus. Please do not speak to me about the “great” preachers of today. Spare me the stories of miracle workings. Leave me alone concerning the world wide ministries of modern men. Television preachers? Radio orators? Christian authors? Wealthy men and women who supposedly serve Jesus? Please, spare me. I direct you to these two young boys. They are somewhere in heaven today and they are delighting to worship their King. The sacrifice they made now pales as they gaze upon Him who gave all for us. Ask them if they would do it all over again and they shout "Yes, and a thousand times over!". And when they are called forward to give an account of their lives they will receive a reward for anything done for Him. And when these two boys, now spirits in white robes, receive their rewards I can almost see and hear what happens next. I can imagine them both kneeling down before the Redeemer. They lift the crowns of reward they have received from off their heads, and they place them before the Risen Christ. And rejecting any praise for themselves, they stretch out on their faces before the Lord of all Lords. And if I can be allowed some imaginative license here, I can almost hear them say something that two other Moravian missionaries said (HERE) as they sailed from Germany to sell themselves as slaves in order to reach other slaves. With their faces pressed down of the floor of God’s own throne room, and with muffled voices, they say,
“May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!”
Matt.5: 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Jn.15: 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. Matt.24: 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The persecution of Christians around the world grows with each passing day.
Here is an incomplete list of recent persecutions. Now how can we as believers in America claim we are being persecuted when our brothers and sisters are being attacked and scorned and families are being ripped apart? How can we suggest that these political skirmishes represent anything of the spiritual war which rages in many parts of the world? And the war which comes against the followers of Christ has nothing to do with money or economics or even capitalism. Those things are what concern Americans, and the western church has taken up their cause and left the cause of Christ. But let us see the light of glory which must fill the corridors of heaven as followers of Jesus leave their bodies at the end of a sword or a gun and enter His presence. They have suffered for His name’s sake and now they are ushered into His very presence. Dwell on that miraculous mystery! And when they see Him in all is risen glory and majesty, do you think they long for anything they have left on this earth? The only thing that the rich man in hell was concerned about was his lost brothers (Lk.16). These martyrs will only be concerned for the lost because as they gaze upon the Royal Lion they will be assured of His watch care over their loved ones and the brethren they have left behind. Oh dear brothers and sisters, watch as God’s angels draw close as a believer cries out his last breath at the hands of his tormentors. And remember the first martyr. Stephen draws close to death by stoning just because he preached Jesus. What would he say in his last moments? Would he condemn his murderers? Would he exhort his friends to publish these evil deeds in order to incite the church? Would he claim that these who stoned him were his enemies and threatened the culture? NO, NO!!! Stephen musters all the strength he has left and SHOUTS , “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!”. Oh my. Oh my. Can you even fathom such forgiveness? Such mercy? Let a politician present some legislation that seems to be antichristian and we yell like stuck pigs, but Stephen dies with redemptive glory on his lips. Either Stephen’s brand of Christianity is authentic or our is. They cannot both reflect Christ. The western church has taken up the banner of self defense and set out to wage war on sinners instead of waging war on our own flesh. Do we even believe in eternal life anymore or have we replaced faith with documents? I have been criticized. I have been spoken about badly. But in truth I have never been spit upon. I have never known the brute force of a whip encrusted with jagged edges. I have never been blindfolded and punched again and again. I have never had my head impaled with many thorns. I have never been asked to carry my own implement of execution while I bled my very life away. I have never heard what I thought were my friends shout jeers and mockings toward me. I have never had nails hammered into my flesh in order to hang me to two wooden planks. I have never been put to a violent and excruciating death. But I have been asked to consider He who did have all those things and more done to Him. And I have been asked to emulate the spirit of that narrative. I have been asked not to defend my life but lay it down just as He laid down His. I have been asked to forgive my accusers and my persecutors, even those who might take my life. I have been asked to reveal again and again and again the essence of that crucifixion. That is what every believing follower of Christ has been asked to do. All of us. So how can we justify this self serving culture war. How can we carve off a part of our allegiance to Him and give it earthly governments? How can we lash out at sinners when we have been asked to lay down our lives for them in His name? How can we claim we are laying down our lives when we so viciously defend and protect them? The answer is simple but painful, we cannot. That is not Christianity, and that is not being a follower of Jesus. Far from it. I am 60 years old and my health is not very good. I have spent almost a half year in the hospital in the last five years. I have had three heart attacks and I am a diabetic. Do you know why I tell you these things? Because I want you to know I have nothing to lose in speaking the truth. Anyone who was a pastor knows some of the pressure we feel from church members, even when we pray for complete freedom. But today I can speak with clarity what I hear the Spirit saying and no one can vote me out or take away the salary from my family. And even if they come with torches and swords, all they do is quicken my entrance into His presence. I have no agenda, no organization, and I do not solicit funds. All I ask is that I can exhort some who visit this obscure blog and that the Spirit will use my words to open some eyes. And when your eyes are opened to the ecclesiastical tragedy in the west, you must draw closer to Him. Just spouting out correction is not enough. We must run under the spout of His loving correction personally as well. We must reject the hollow construct that passes for the faith once delivered to the saints. Instead of being exhorted by false teachers we must read and absorb the living testaments of men like Stephen and Paul, men like John Huss and William Tyndale, and women like like Blandina, and believers like Jim and Elizabeth Elliot. Go ahead and read my links and see if they move your hearts. These are what we must feast upon, not these political puppets that masquerade as preachers. Our faith was purchased by blood and not be legislation, and it will be spread by His Word and blood - the blood of the Lamb and ours if necessary. Shake yourself out of this Disney-esque Christian construct and beseech God’s Spirit to fill you with the knowledge of Him. Turn off the lullabies that are being sung by hollow mouths who lightly claim the name of Jesus. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and take your eyes off of this present world. And remind yourself that the reason we are not inviting persecution from the kingdom of darkness here is because we live like them and we think like them and we speak like them and we act like them. From us they have little to fear. But if even a small remnant hear His voice and dare to fall to their knees in humble prayer and surrender, then He will use us in ways we may not even know. But this I do know. He desires us to seek Him with our whole heart. Even if you were stranded on an island all alone and could have no impact on anyone, Christ would still desire you to seek Him with your whole being. Do not minimize your relationship with Him, and do not render it as one of many items in your life. It must be your life. Cultivate it as if you will die unless it brings for fruit from which you and others can live.
Pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. Let them receive the power of the Holy Spirit even in death. Amen and amen.
Jn3:16 - For God so loved the LGBT world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that every Lesbian or Gay or Bisexual or Transexual that believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jn.14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Could our Lord made it any clearer? All have sinned, and the soul that sins it shall die. That means Jew or Gentile or Martian. Matt.3: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. I have addressed the danger of earthly Zionism which favors the secular nation of Israel as if that is part of the New Testament command to the church. When the church runs about supporting this and supporting that she openly reveals her imprisonment to the temporal and her disdain for the eternal. In this age of gospel grace there are only two kinds of sinners - lost and saved. Ethnicity is irrelevant except if it helps in our communication of the everlasting gospel. A lost Jew is equal to a lost Arab. A lost Jew is the same as a lost Gentile. There is no difference, they both stand in eternal peril.
Here is a danger. As my link reveals there is a distinct and diabolical danger when we join hands with unbelieving Jews around the cause of secular Israel. As evidenced by my link, many Jews feel a kinship with American evangelicals, not because they are kind, but because they are militant about Israel. And this earthly bond blinds them even further to their spiritual state and their desperate need for Christ. Jews sought to kill the Apostle Paul while today they break bread around a table of respectful compromise. This also reveals the depth of blindness within American evangelicalism. The church has constructed a theology which lives and dwells comfortably within the political system. These earthly “causes” are misguided and serve only to stroke our egos and water the ever present western competitive spirit. And the blind support of Israel, due to a twisted application of Abraham’s Covenant, is injurious to the spiritual health of the church. During the Reformation the church was full of rabid anti-Semites while today she is full of Biblical and gospel ignorance as well as ambivalence. As believers we should not be in favor or against any government. Our kingdom has never been of this earth. Israel in its present state is no more “precious” to God than is North Korea. His will is for souls to be saved, and in this gospel age God does not deal with secular nations wholesale. He deals with individuals and He deals with the church. I have found Scriptural hints that seem to indicate a future sovereign miracle for the Jewish remnant still alive at the end of the age, but there is no hint of earthly Zionism for the church today. There is a very subtle element to the church showing earthly favoritism. Just as anti-Semitism is bigotry toward Jews, so is Zionism bigotry toward a certain sect of the Gentiles, namely Arabs and more specifically the Palestinians. It may not be intentional, but it presents a major stumbling block for the gospel among the precious Palestinian people and the greater Arab and Muslim community. It creates a spiritual mess and sounds an uncertain sound. It is gospel confusion. But perhaps one of the greatest disservices, and yes even sins, created by this falsehood is when unbelieving Jews feel a sense of spiritual comfort and security because Christians treat them as spiritual brothers and sisters. Even false prophets like John Hagee teach salvation for Jews without Jesus simply through their ethnicity and their embracing of the Old Testament covenants. It does not matter that no Jews even practice the Law in its fullness anymore. In some ways the orthodox Jews practice a sort of emergent brand of Judaism, trimmed down and brought up to post modern standards. How could we have ever thought that the church would be engaged with assuring unbelievers that their standing before God was safe? What a tragedy! What a heresy! And just like nationalism concerning America, nationalism concerning Israel creates all sorts of unholy alliances. Men like Glenn Beck are welcomed into the community of faith not just as a brother, but as a spiritual leader. Never mind that he denies the deity of Christ and believes in a salvation of works, all that matters is that he has a rabid allegiance for Israel. Unbelieving Rabbis are invited to preach God’s Word to supposed Christ followers? And even Benjamin Netanyahu, far from being an orthodox Jew, was invited to speak at such rallies including filling John Hagee’s pulpit. What a mind boggling spectacle. And in the evangelical community, the more militant and saber rattling the Israeli Prime Minister is, the greater the evangelical support. Come to think of it, the same is true here in America. But to believe and convince unbelievers that they can inherit eternal life through an avenue which does not include Jesus is apostasy at the highest level. It discards the cross in favor of a mangled Biblical creation and a refusal to rightly divide the Word. It generates all kinds of fleshly excitement as well as a subtle form of hatred. It renders Christ a course along the doctrinal smorgasbord which can be taken or left. With paostasy on this level no wonder Mormonism is rapidly becoming a member of the evangelical community. Roman Catholicism has been a memebr in good standing for decades. Oh the trappings of compromise and error that line the streets in today’s brand of evangelicalism. The Word no longer means anything at all. Even words like Christian and disciple and believer have been so compromised and so diluted that they are now spiritually impotent. And growing openly in the midst of this monstrous spiritual apostasy is the Christian version of Zionism. A pastor boldly states his support for Israel and the evangelical crowd roundly applauds. No tears for the salvation of Jews. No night watches in prayer for God to open their eyes. No fastings to seek their release from the spiritual imprisonment in which they now suffer. Those kinds of things must bow to pep rallies and mouth frothing support of any Israeli military action. The banner of the Star of David replaces the banner of the name of Jesus. The humble preacher of 70 members who lives and prays faithfully to Christ will never find a spot on the speaker list at these rallies. The speaking spots have been taken by millionaires like Beck and Hagee and Robison, and secular icons like Netanyahu, as well as a smattering of unbelieving Jews and rabbis. And you still are unconvinced of the apostasy in the western evangelical church? It is a spiritual form of anti-Semitism to withhold the gospel from the Jews and sing them false lullabies concerning their eternal souls. Whatever the prophetic plan holds in the future is in God’s hands, however God has placed the gospel in ours. Let us preach it to every creature and then the end will come.
A true defender of doctrine must be a personal conduit of the life of Christ. Ti.2: 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. (NIV) Paul exhorts Titus to teach believers of all ages. But in these verses, he gives an amazing exhortation to slaves. Yes, these are slaves in the way we usually define the word. They were possessions of their masters. It is impossible to know fully how the Spirit can and does work in these situations. It does not mean God is in favor of slavery, however God does work in all sorts of twisted cultures in order to bring redemption to some. Perhaps if all slaves who believed would revolt against their masters the cause of Christ might have been misunderstood as a moral crusade and much damage would come to the gospel. Only God knows. But consider this: If the Lord exhorts slaves in this way, how much should we heed the same admonitions? In the King James version Paul uses the term “the doctrine of God our Saviour”. There is that pesky proof of divinity so often attacked today. But in context all doctrine is teaching, therefore in the NIV it says “the teaching about God our Savior”. But Paul does not just exhort slaves to know about the teachings of Jesus. He commands them to “make them attractive” or in the KJV “adorn” them. Oh my. How can we adorn the teachings that are perfect? How can we make them attractive? Can we make rubies more red? Can we make diamonds shine more brightly? Think about the implications of these verses. For those who believe man has no part in the presentation of God’s Word or as a vessel for evangelism, these verses openly reveal that we have been given a divine role to play. And that role is sacred and holy. There is a question which looms large over the entire doctrinal debates. Why are words 99.9% of the debate while deeds seem almost immaterial? Sometimes God uses His Word spoken through a significantly compromised vessel, but sometimes that vessel hinders sinners from seeing the truth. And these verses do not just mean that we should not smoke or drink or curse, the actions that we are commissioned to fulfill are deep and sacrificial. Our lives are to be ornaments on the tree of God’s truth. Defending doctrine without exhibiting the Person and teachings of Jesus in our lives is like selling a car without an engine. Its like taking a nature’s walk to see the wonder of God’s animal kingdom in a taxidermist museum. But remember, these exhortations were not given to elders and preachers and church leaders. These were given to slaves! And if slaves were to adorn the teachings of God, how much more free men? We cannot, we must not, receive self congratulations from all our verbal doctrinal victories. The greatest and most impactful victory should come through a life completely and fully surrendered to Christ with the remarkable features that openly reveal The Lord to whom we are surrendered. But we have so often reduced the faith to a few pages of exegetical prowess and doctrinal organization. And the orthodox community applauds as they look down their noses toward all those doctrinal miscreants. That is not Christianity at all. What does it really mean to adorn the teachings of Christ? I mean in all practicality what does it mean to exhibit the teachings of our Savior in such an arresting way so as to make them attractive? Let’s face it, the church is not doing a very good job of that, and in fact the church has supplanted that challenge with other more convenient ways to say we embrace His Words. Matt.7: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. It is not enough to hear or even teach the Words of Christ. We must display them in a living vessel. And that is exactly why we must not just hang our hats of orthodoxy on doctrines like the Trinity or the virgin birth or other more esoteric doctrines that cannot really be seen in actions. Those kind of doctrines are important foundations, but we must be the living representatives of the life and teachings of Christ. In a more profound way we must be a dead conduit of the Living Christ, dead to ourselves and alive unto Him. That is what is painfully missing in the western church. We have substantially move away from a living faith except for a few do’s and don’t’s. And systematically we have constructed a museum of ethereal doctrines, and although true, we have severely minimized and even significantly ignored the more open revelations of Christ’s teachings. If a person nods to a few cardinal doctrines he is “orthodox”. But that same person can show no more compassion, no more mercy, no more love, no more humility, no more concern for the poor than does his atheist neighbor. The Christian faith is not a doctrinal exam. It is a living expression of the Person and mission of Christ grown from the roots of Biblical truths but whose visible flower is the authenticity manifested in the lives of those who profess such roots. Without that flower all that remains are unseen roots which can be legitimately questioned concerning their existence. Far from just adhering to some moral and doctrinal checklist, our lives should be pulsating daily, longing and looking to find avenues for which to express Christ. Ambassadors filled with the life and the person from whom we are sent. His life is here while our is with Him. And that is the reality if we could ever embrace it fully. We should have no will of our own. We should reject any reputation other than His. When attacked we pray. When persecuted we rejoice. When rejected we identify with Him. When mocked we remain silent. When lied about for His sake we receive it in His precious name. When you are dead to this world what can move you? What can disturb you when you see through His eyes? The floods will come. The winds will blow, the rain will fall, and all manner of evil will continue to grow all around us. But we are sheltered under His might wings. We are pilgrims filled with His love. We are lights in the midst of darkness. We are salt in the midst of decay. Our doctrine is truth, but our light is His incandescence shining through our humble obedience. So if you desire people to see Jesus in this world you may show them a portrait, or have them watch a movie, or even give them a Bible. God can use almost anything. But if you desire people to see Christ, and if you are willing to pay the price, then die to all that is in this world, embrace the eternal, and humbly be Him to everyone you can.
Doctrine without a living Jesus is a meal served lifeless and cold.
But if we take that doctrine and adorn it with a living expression of Christ,
Almost three dozen imprisoned Christian Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia have been freed after months of being held by the authorities there. The 35 Ethiopians were imprisoned last December 17 for conducting a prayer meeting in a private home.
Now a question. How many American Christians could be arrested for the same crime?
Mk.10: 17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Jesus did not dispute this man’s contention that he studiously attempted to follow the law. Jesus outlined the Ten Commandments and the man seemed very sincere in his assertion that he lived his life within the parameters of the law, but he was still searching for eternal life. He was a very moral person and yet he was empty.
This man is representative of tens of millions of people living in the western culture. In fact Jesus mentions in the very next verse that the man was very wealthy and balked at the suggestion he should sell everything. Possessions were the stumbling block. And so it is with the western church. We are swimming in entertainment, comfortable lifestyles, a massive array of all kinds of food, wonderful cars, clothes to stuff many closets, phones that rival then Apollo spacecraft computer, and dwelling places with room to spare. But when we read these verses somehow we never come to a definitive and sacrificial principle that has much application for us. The words of Jesus made this man stumble but surely not us?
The most convenient interpretation usually runs along some tepid line like, “It’s all right to have things as long as things do not have you”. How quaint. How Hallmark Card-ish. How self serving. It’s those kind of fortune cookie sayings that have contributed to what we still call “the church” in the west. We have so cleverly constructed a newer and more modern New Testament interpretation that fits oh so nicely into a hedonistic lifestyle. And just to soothe our consciences we occasionally take a “stand” on some moral issues that hang down on the lower branches of the doctrinal tree. I do not see anyone selling one of their televisions and giving it to the poor, but as long as we can receive an earthly reward for our money we will gladly support some token of doctrinal orthodoxy.
Instead I see a very imaginative way to express your views on that subject. One in which you can have your chicken and eat it too! It costs nothing except a longer wait at the food line which can easily lend itself to some small self righteous talk. It is something to behold! But as far as selling anything? How about selling ¼ of all you have? Maybe 1/8th? You see the point? We read verses like these and yet we are unwilling to receive them anywhere near their literal meaning, however we proudly proclaim our 24 hour creation day credentials. In fact, we always carry our Biblical inerrancy membership card.
Just what do you think lived within the heart and mind of Christ? Was it not the croos to which He set His face like a flint? And since He knew what He would do, he lived to "seek and save that which was lost". Jesus never organized a rally in support of some doctrinal tenant, in fact he dismissed the doctors of the law. He did not require sinners to lift themselves up by their bootstraps and walk strightly. Even His closest discples forsook Him. His heart, His breath, His very life was consumed with the cross. Should not that be our sacred template?
Now it just might be time to take a fresh look at what it means to follow Jesus and what it means to take up our cross. Or…not. I mean we have become so entrenched in this ecclesiastical and cultural quicksand that it has engulfed our eyes. We have become blind and hard of hearing, and since we hold our pastor in high esteem, we are most willing to receive what he says at face value which will alleviate us from any deep searching of the Scriptures personally. A little “Our Daily Bread” with a bagel should suffice. Perhaps we know, deep down inside, that if we really took another look at God’s Word we might see a stark contradiction between what the church says and what God says. Hmm.
In oh so many ways we are missing the spiritual treasures that come with truly taking up our crosses and following Jesus. I mean a kind of life that doesn’t just give doctrinal homage to God or parades around its stand on moral issues. I mean a life that is so filled with the presence of Christ that the things of this world are “strangely dim”. A life that radiates His light to all who come in contact with it. A life that leaves His fragrance among those in need, and a life which uses the necessities of this world but will not and even cannot enjoy any luxuries. Who needs luxuries when you are possessed by the Creator of all that is?
This cross carrying life knows nothing of self elevation. It denies itself in favor of living by the faith of the Son of God. This world must become a pilgrimage whose destination is Christ and whose journey is Christ as well. This kind of life is filled to overflowing with Christ and His Spirit and there is no room for the clutter of temporal desires. It cannot abide the carnal trappings of politics and governmental wrangling. If taxes are lowered it will provide more money to serve Him, but if not praise God as well. The cross carrying life never lusts for lower taxes or political leverage. This life desires to know Him more fully. He must increase and we must decrease.
Like a gospel with legs, this life carries its cross well into the darkness seeking that which was lost. It has not a hint of moral superiority or selfishness. In fact, this kind of life walks in humility because it knows only too well that it was plucked from the fire by God’s grace alone. The cross and pride are mutual enemies, and the kind of life that follows Jesus is always alert to any hint of pride. It is always suspect of protests and boycotts since they not only gender a misguided sense of accomplishment, the collective spirit is given to a tangible sense of moral hubris. The life that follows Jesus sees sinners as whited fields not moral adversaries.
This life does not arrive at church wondering about the time of worship. This life has been worshiping Christ for hours already and it carries with it the aroma of the Risen Christ. The music is a wonderful addition however it does not lead this life into His presence since it has been walking in His presence already. The cross carrying life basks in the glory of God’s presence with other brothers and sisters. We must break free of the ecclesiastical chains that have us bound to a redundant and powerless expression of Christianity. Ours must be remarkable within a fallen culture and a compromised church.
I do not desire to stretch the bounds of reality or reduce the Christian life to a mystical experience without substance, but if you were actually with Christ listening to his words, what else would capture your heart? Think about that and compare it with what continually captures us here. The reality of walking in His presence does not come upon a careless life that is filled with almost everything else. His presence must be realized and even experienced through a diligent seeking born out of a thirst which will not be denied. Enoch walked with God and God had to take him. How many today would even be candidates for that kind of personal rapture?
And yet God’s Word rings out with unmistakable clarity, calling His sons and daughters to walk with Him in prayer, sacrifice, and spiritual depth. How can we take His Word and sculpture it to accommodate our own lusts and desires? How can we continue to feed upon leeks and garlic and leave the Manna from heaven for Sunday mornings, if it is even there? How can we labor in the fields of doctrine but remain completely in a redundant and dispassionate state that acquits ourselves of our ecclesiastical responsibilities but lives with such western predictability? And when we come to verses, culled straight from heaven, that speak clearly to the makeup of our thoughts and lives, how can we openly manipulate them through the prism of our western culture? We cannot, if we truly desire to follow Him.
Just 1 hour walking in His presence cannot be measured by this present world. So many today embrace the right doctrines but refuse to acknowledge, much less seek, a deeper relationship and the glory of His eternal mystery. God has so much more to offer but to whom can He offer it? Which robotic Christian expressions will He visit with His glory? With whom can He walk if few are seeking Him? Of course God is pleased when we embrace His truth, but God desires us to seek Him who is truth. Yes doctrine, but yes and amen experience as well.
Deny ourselves? Sell all? Follow Him? Instead of minimizing such exhortations, let us begin with the literal absurd and work our way back without eviscerating the holy essence of what they mean. In light of all the Redeemer suffered for us, why do we treat our lives as our own? When we meditate upon those sacred wounds, should there be any limit to the depth of our living sacrifice for Him? The years and the culture have chipped away at what a true and dedicated disciple looks and lives like, until a person can enjoy all the trappings of the culture and still claim to be following the Savior. There is a profound disconnect between Jesus’ words and our lives. But we have become experts at smoothing out the rough edges of the words which may cause us discomfort and sacrifice, while we sharpen others when they can be used against non-traditional sinners. In fact, we have conveniently constricted our doctrinal statements so as to avoid any obvious self indictments.
I mean what sacrifice does it require to embrace the Trinity? Or the virgin birth? Or the inspiration of the Scriptures in the abstract? But if we proclaimed in our church bulletin that we believed in forsaking all in order to be a disciple, or that we should live in obvious moderation, or that we believed prayer to be the core of the gatherings, then we would have to openly provide some proof that we actually believed them. We can easily say we believe in heaven and hell and prophecy, but they require little outward proof, although some should be forthcoming.
But if you say you love the poor and do little about it then it reveals that you are actually lying. And if we say we are followers of Jesus then our lives must reflect what He said and taught, not just what is convenient and prevalent in the western community of faith.
Lk.14: 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Imagine a Sunday morning service and the preachers gives an altar. Three people come forward to publicly believe of Christ Jesus. Before they are allowed to consult with a counselor, the preacher says to all three,
“Your coming forward indicates that God is drawing your heart to become a believing follower of Jesus Christ. But before you do so, count the cost. Are you willing to submit to His will for you? Are you willing to pray and read His Word? Are you willing to allow God to completely change your life? Are you willing to follow Jesus regardless where He sends or leads You? Are you willing to forsake all that you have?”
That kind of “invitation” would certainly hinder church growth and it would not be an aid to greater offerings. In fact, that kind of exhortation would probably lead to other churches in the area growing. But that is exactly what Jesus taught. But instead of following Jesus, the church has turned to Eli Whitney. We now observe an assembly line discipleship which focuses on numbers and finances rather than depth of commitment. And if a person comes out against same sex marriage, well he is welcomed into the fold of mature, bold soldiers of the cross. And just what cross it that, pray tell? Is it the deep fried kind that appeals to the stomach, or is it the one to which thousands upon thousands of believers suffer because of around the world? Is it the one which draws media attention, or is it the cross which has drawn out the blood of many martyrs?
The cross was always supposed to be the core of the Christian faith in theology and in practice. But it is now ticked away in the file under “orthodoxy” but is rarely seen demonstrated in living epistles. Without a complete and thorough reevaluation based upon Scripture we will continue to live and exhibit a paltry and sickly brand of Christianity spiced up with a few man made “stands” for truth. In the end no one stands for truth by embracing a doctrinal tenant. The only way anyone can actually stand for truth is to die. Only then can He Who IS Truth shine through your corpse and allow the world to see Him.
Pick up your cross. Die to live. And live to follow Him. There is no other way.
James Robison wrote a book called “Indivisible” which makes a deceived case for America being a divine nation and that all believers should be American patriots. It is a textbook for national idolatry. But coincidentally, he is holding rallies called “Under God, Indivisible” around the country. I want to present you with a list of the speakers.
If anyone would have held such a conference 30 years ago he would have been roundly criticized, but in today’s nationalistic environment it is applauded by any number of professing evangelicals. The Roman Catholic Church continues to teach all sorts of bizarre beliefs and practices with the principle heresy being salvation by works. But nationalism is the glue which ignores Biblical heresy and joins hands with a church which used to be exposed as almost cult like. We must not hate the people, but we cannot accept the teachings as anywhere near evangelical and Biblical. But because the issue is patriotism, Roman Catholic priests are invited to speak.
The Apostle Paul called unbelieving Jews “enemies of the cross of Christ” and yet this conference invites an unbelieving Jewish rabbi to speak. And his credentials? He loves America and is in favor of capitalism and the Judeo-Christian ethic. It does not matter that he rejects Jesus as Messiah and teaches others to reject Him. When it comes to America that is incidental and meaningless.
And who is more representative of a faith that teaches and practices extreme hedonism, and teaches the self serving heresy of seed faith giving than Kenneth and Gloria Copeland? And just because they love America, they are invited to speak. They teach another Jesus and by that teaching they have become multi-millionaires. They have made merchandise of people and have made prosperity and greed a Christian virtue. How blind can we be?
John Hagee has contended that Jesus was not the Jewish Messiah, and that Jews can be saved under the Mosaic Law and the Abrahamic Covenant. He is often seen in the company of the well known prosperity heretic named Jesse Duplantis, who claims to have been escorted around heaven once. But again, because he loves America it does not matter what he believes and teaches. He is welcomed with open arms. Even more “orthodox” men like David Jeremiah and Ravi Zacharias are deceived when it comes to nationalism.
And then there is Glenn Beck. Let us ignore his insane rants and conspiracy theories. Let us ignore that he calls Barak Obama the antichrist. But let us realize this man is a practicing Mormon. Oh, that does not matter anymore? It does not matter that they teach that Jesus and Lucifer were brothers born from a physical intercourse with God the Father, himself once was a man like us, and a celestial mother, an angel of sorts? That bizarro world of antichrist theology does not matter if they love George Washington? So if you love George Washington, you have license to teach lies about the Lord Jesus? Is this the kind of spiritual world in which we now live?
I Tim.4: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Oh how the Spirit must be grieved. God’s Word bows to an earthly constitution? And those who speak lies and teach the doctrines of devils are invited into our gatherings? It has become very easy to see how the whole world will one day worship the Antichrist. The church now embraces his spirit. This is no minor disagreement over baptism or election or even women preachers. This is an open display of apostasy. I do not take Hebrews chapters 6 and 10 lightly.
II Tim.4: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
That time has come in like a flood. Sound doctrine is now an archaic relic that is in need of a modern makeover. People love a nice, uplifting message that elevates their own success and throws verbal flowers to America. It does not even matter what men believe and teach about the Lord Jesus Himself. I do not believe anyone “loses” their salvation, however the prospect of a saint renouncing his faith is very real and outlined with fearful clarity in the Book of Hebrews. And when ordained men begin to embrace heretics and Christ deniers then apostasy has set in.
Ti.3: 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Do we actually believe God has made an exception when it comes to America? Does God look the other way when men who deny His Son are welcomed into the gathering of His saints? Men refuse to defend God's Son because they are defending an earthly nation? That is a breathtaking scandal and an act of spiritual treachery on a monstrous scale. The spirit of antichrist is preparing the way for the Antichrist himself. This cannot continue much longer, and although no one can accurately read the signs, they seem to be growing by the day.
Yes, the situation in the Middle East seems to loom large on the last days calendar, but this deepening apostasy is a very great sign as well. Everything, and I mean everything, on “Christian television” must be viewed with great skepticism. Even the most orthodox preachers still support the network which is complicit in spreading damnable heresies. It is probably prudent to avoid any of it.
And now, in this election year, with hatred so evident against the President, and with men spreading fear for their own selfish gain, most of the church has succumbed to the sirens of heresy. I beseech you to guard your most precious faith and keep your eyes upon Jesus. Hold no man in higher regard than you hold God’s Word. All men have feet of clay, even faithful servants of the Lord Christ. But the evil one is now using some “orthodox” men to open new and clandestine doors to error and eventually apostasy.
This is no game. This has eternal implications. And this issue of nationalism and patriotism has progressed from being a major compromise to being a portal to apostasy. Place a guard around your heart, and be very careful what you listen to or read. The days are evil; the time grows near; and many are in danger of losing their souls. The church game is over. The devil is busy collecting his final harvest. Hold fast to Christ and His Word.
Cling to the truth as if it was a lifeboat. It is.
We are to be witnesses for Christ and exhibit Biblical morality. We were never commissioned to preach Biblical morality to those who are dead in their trespasses and sins. It is not only useless, and not only unbiblical, but it contains an element of self righteousness. And much of this moral melee cannot be considered a display of Christian humility. The Christian community not only is as aggressive as the unbeliever community, but they tend to pat each other on the back. It is a human construct that misrepresents the life and mission of Jesus Christ.
Now pay close attention. It isn't just the liberal theologians and the Rob Bells and the Joel Osteens who have left His message. To be sure they are heretics at best and unregenerate at worst. Only God can know that. And we must all be on guard when such alluring false teachers are on the prowl. I do not minimize the depth of their errors or the dangers they pose. But we also cannot feel satisfied with inspecting others. We must submit ourselves to our Lord's correction as well.
If you honestly look at the moral wrongs addressed by Jesus it was overwhelmingly in the arena of pride, judgment, humility, and love, or what the Scriptures call fruits of the Spirit and when rejected they become sins of the spirit. Our Lord’s admonitions concerning morality center around areas that do not lend themselves to public protests. Even when a woman was caught in the act of adultery, Jesus addressed the shortcomings of her accusers and refused to condemn her. Do not just gloss over that. She had broken one of the Ten Commandments, and yet Jesus did not condemn her. Moses’ Law said she was to be stoned! You who tout the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments, Jesus broke them right here.
Do not just read the words. Think about the implications of that. Of course adultery is wrong and Jesus knew it. But He refused to condemn this woman and she never uttered a word of repentance. And yet today we have people who say they follow Jesus but in whose hands are the same stones held by this woman’s accusers. How can you claim to follow Jesus and yet be on the stone thrower’s side? You cannot.
Let us just take Christ’s most famous sermon as see what kind of morals He addresses.
Poor in spirit (humility)\ Mercy Pure in heart Peacemakers Humble in persecution Salt and light Obedient No inward anger No adultery of the mind or heart Righteous speech Give even when robbed Bless your enemies
Do not parade your good deeds Pray (including a blanket forgiveness) Do not save up money for yourselves Do not worry Do not condemn others Obedience to God’s Word
These are the major points that create the overwhelming focus of the teachings of Jesus. Love and mercy, forgiveness and humility, and self denial were the cornerstones of His ministry, with redemption found in Him being the Chief Cornerstone. But somehow along the way we have changed the entire focus and created a faith that acknowledges Christ as Savior and Lord, but then leaves His teachings and practices and constructs a faith which is combative, moralistic, and filled with self righteousness, You can be hateful, but if you are pro-life you are a good disciple. You can scarcely pray, but if you are pro-traditional marriage you are a good disciple. You can be profoundly hedonistic, but if you are conservative you are a good disciple. And if you are a patriotic American who idolizes the founding fathers, well, you are almost an apostle.
And those who espouse things that are against those things are targeted as enemies. Morals are now the battlefield and the weapons are of this world. It is most revealing that Christ used nothing of the sort. And in His earthly ministry He did not seek out adulterers and homosexuals or other sinners who had immoral lives. In fact many sinners of questionable morals were drawn to Him. Why? Because He loved them and demonstrated that love to them. Jesus seemed to reserve His most powerful admonitions to the religious hierarchy.
But now the church views the immoral people around us as invading our wonderful culture, or changing the country God loves, or people who somehow fall below the redemptive radar. And if we uncover our attitudes and motives we will find a repulsive underbelly that has at its center - us. Our moral crusades do not represent Jesus; they represent us. By God’s amazing grace He changed our hearts and minds, and now we use those changes to castigate those who are at this time outside the grace of God. What was given to us we use to attack others.
But Jesus was accused of being a friend to sinners and keeping company with those who the Temple considered unclean. And what was Jesus’ response?
Lk.5: 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And therein lies the core of His ministry. And how did Jesus go about leading sinners to repentance (change of mind)?
Rom.2: 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Notice that the attributes of goodness and forbearance and longsuffering are mentioned in connection with repentance. You see, the church has changed the entire fabric of Christ and His ministry. We now believe that castigation and boycotts are God’s way toward sinners. But if we are completely honest, we really do not believe that these things will change a sinner’s heart. They just soothe our consciences and make us feel like warriors for truth, when in fact we are practicing things which are not God’s truth. And if by chance the country passes an amendment that legalizes only a tradtional marriage, then the church will feel oh so proud and happy, even though sinners will still be lost. What a debacle!
And in our attempt to stand for God’s truth, we have significantly drifted off the gospel message we have been commissioned to spread. And when legislation and political weight and marketplace leverage become the church’s means of attack, then there is no gospel at all. You see, the gospel is for sinners. And when you see lost and blind sinners shouting out error and practicing sin in all its forms, they are those to whom Christ has sent us. It is a deception to weigh sinners and how we approach them by how we view their particular sins.
For instance, if your sister, who is a believer, calls you in tears and informs you that her 20 year old son says he is gay, you comfort her. And you will pray for her and her son, and if you are given the chance you will speak with your nephew. But you do not go and organize a protest outside your sister’s home. And if your nephew works at UPS you do not organize a boycott. Please remember many of those in the gay community have parents who are heartbroken. Some are believers and pray for them diligently. But most of them still love their sons and daughters dearly. And most of all Jesus loves them dearly.
And some in the gay lifestyle were abused, and others were raised in heathen environments. The point is that they need Jesus and we must show them unconditional love and compassion while we are used of the Spirit to minister Christ to them. But the gay issue is just one of many that the church continues to have all wrong. It isn’t enough to have all your sins correctly defined and categorized. In fact, a focus on the sins of others almost always leads to self righteousness and a heart filled with condemnation. Condemnation hardly ever leads to redemption. Only the love of Jesus, expressed through attitudes and deeds, and shared through the everlasting gospel can lead to redemption. And when Christ was only moments away from ascending into heaven, His last commands were:
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Missing are the commands to sanitize the culture and to give back to sinners just like they give to you. When sinners attempt to force their agenda upon you, then you must force yours on them. That is the way of Jesus? What is a witness for Jesus? Is it boycotts? Is it voting blocks? Is it petitions? Is it verbal assaults? Is it patriotic rallies? Just what is a witness for Jesus?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Now there is a verse not found in many sermon series's. The Lord of the Universe has prepared a great feast. Many of the invited guests made excuses. But the Lord has commissioned us to go into the highways and hedges and unto the uttermost parts of the earth and compel them to come in. There is only one answer and one hope for those who dwell in darkness.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
Jesus did not come to sanctify all the different, fallen cultures. He diod not come to set up any one country as His headquarters Jesus is not interested in winning moral and cultural battles. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. He will come one day and make all things right, and He Himself will rule without any democratic principles. That day will surely come. But until that day arrives, we must deny ourselves, humble ourselves, and spend our lives lifting up Jesus in thought, word, and deed. That is our calling, that is our mission, that is the church, that is Christ’s body. Let’s not just lazily drift back to His message. Let us run back to the only message that can save.
A little over two thousand years ago God came in the likeness of human flesh. He was called Yeshua, or Joshua, or as we call Him, Jesus. He would come surreptitiously and with no fanfare. Only ancient prophecies and angelic hosts would witness His birth. He was the Messiah.
During His 33 years upon this earth, he did many miracles, but His words would have much more of an impact. But His death paid for the sins of mankind, and His resurrection left no doubt as to Who He was. His message was powerful, but His methods were unorthodox to say the least. He lived and taught a life of self denial and humility. When attacked, he did not respond in like kind. Many mistook His ways for weakness, while others were inexplicably drawn to His words and His Person.
He lived and spoke in ways which were completely different than the ways of the world, including the religious systems. And when He left, he sent His representative called the Holy Spirit. This Spirit was not just a force, but He was a divine person as well, and one of only three. His mission was to speak of Jesus to lost sinners, as well as bring truth, guidance, and comfort to those who would believe on Jesus. In a mystery, He would come and reside in the very beings of believers. And the New Testament would teach us that we are not supposed to engage this world with the same methods and weapons that are used by the kingdom of darkness.
The history of Christianity contains many chapters where believers were persecuted for their faith. They were hung, quartered, burned at the stake, fed to lions, and thousands upon thousands died in various ways. Many were tortured for their faith and many died with joy and humility. The Book of Revelation mentions these followers of Christ. Being martyred for Christ is a holy calling and the zenith of what it means to follow Christ.
Men and women have risked their lives for Jesus Christ. They have smuggled Bibles into forbidden lands; they have gone into uncharted jungles; they have flown where there were no landing strips; they have left spouses and children in order to reach sinners with the everlasting gospel. True believers throughout the centuries have sacrificed everything they have in order to tell people of the Crucified and Risen Christ. In fact, many times the selfless examples of believers have been used of the Spirit to lead men and women to faith in Jesus Christ.
Even today there are men and women whose lives are at risk daily. Many languish in prisons. I know many believers who right now are in places which would take their lives if they were discovered. And these are not just people who go for a couple of weeks and return to capitalistic luxury. These are humble heroes of the faith who have left everything for His sake. Many have lost a child because of substandard medical facilities. Oh the stories that could be told of how believers sacrifice day and night without earthly recognition or reward.
But in today’s evangelical paradise what makes the news are spurious little attempts to appear as if we are confronting evil. No longer will we be asked to leave our comfortable surroundings. No longer will we be asked to sacrifice. No longer will we be called upon to give our very lives. This modern war is not about Jesus. It is not even about salvation by faith alone. It is about the moral issue du jour. A believer is interviewed and says he supports traditional marriage, and the unbelievers take an offense. Ok, so far so good. Then the unbelievers organize a boycott of Chick-Fil_A sandwiches, and the Christian community goes into reactionary mode as is their tradition.
Please pay no attention to the fact that Jesus and Paul exhorted us to eat with sinners. Pay no attention to the exhortation that our weapons are not like theirs. Pay no attention to sacrificial love toward sinners. Pay no attention to the "overcome evil with good" nonsense. Pay no attention to our commission to preach the gospel. The western Christian community gets exorcized over everything the lost sinners do, and instead of forbearing them for the gospel’s sake, we ride out on our moral horses and do battle upon the battlefield that the lost have chosen. And while we ignore the fact that adultery and divorce are rampant in the pew and the pulpit, we still do battle for moral issues that are not redemptive.
Do we actually believe that unbelievers can understand sanctification without being born again? Do we believe that the lost will suddenly awaken to the traditional marriage perspective because we support businesses that do? It is such a western, competitive principle which can be found no where in Scripture, if that even matters anymore. What if the Outback restaurant came out in support of gay marriage, would we boycott that store? Don’t you realize that Jesus Himself was criticized because He ate with sinners who had lifestyles and beliefs that were at odds with God’s Word - yes, God’s Word who was Jesus Himself! So God’s Word ate with sinners who denied God’s Word. Go ahead and juxtapose that against the petty little activities which make western believers think they are standing for truth.
No sweat, no tears, no wounds, no thorns, no lashes, no punches, and no blood. None of these, only chicken sandwiches. That’s how far we have come? The entire spectacle is a pitiful and sad accounting for the faith once delivered to the saints. It is as if the early believers fought on a battlefield rich with the glory of sacrifice and even death, while we fight with plastic soldiers in a sandbox and call it standing for Christ.
People, we are only kidding ourselves. If you like Chick-Fil-A then continue to go there as you had in the past. If you never did, do not start. And if you happen to meet a protestor at a store, go and speak words seasoned with grace. Tell him you understand where he is coming from, but in reality that is not the issue. Be Jesus to him. Boycotts and reverse boycotts do nothing for the kingdom of God. Personally, I do not support or condemn gay marriage. It would be like having an opinion about what morals Satan worshipers have. The world will continue to be who they are, and live who they are. Think about that statement.
Let us be who we are, and let us live who we are. And just who are we? We are Jesus. Read about Him once again and then go BE Him.
Additional communications to me may be e-mailed to spcrick@msn.com. Any negative e-mails will be deleted without response, however sincere questions will be answered. I seek edification and deeper knowledge of Christ and His truth not a destructive and meaningless religious chatter. May God's Spirit open all of our hearts to Him.
I am an ordained Baptist minister but more importantly I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was saved in 1975 watching Billy Graham on television after having lived a wicked and Christless life. I graduated with a three year degree from Trinity Bible College in Dunedin, Florida. I have three children, two grandsons, and one granddaughter. I not only see the obvious falling away of the present day church, but I humbly acknowledge that we all are in desperate need of a massive revival. I hope this blog ministers to you, and may Jesus Himself receive all the preeminence!
spcrick@msn.com
Lest We Forget...Ever
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