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Who should we follow Jesus Or Paul, the Apostle?
Theme Scripture
Query:
When making this decision remember
that if you are a born-again Christian the Holy Spirit in you is there at the behest
of Jesus.
The answer to that question is not what you might think. The answer will be in part 2 of this post.
The answer to that question is not what you might think. The answer will be in part 2 of this post.
Today, in America, there is a controversy,
contrived and promulgated with help from behind the scenes – in spiritual
darkness [Eph 6:12; 2 Cor 11:14] due to a single article of opinion written in a
publication entitled ‘Christianity Today’. The headline that gave birth to the
opportunity to shine the light of exposure – or so it ‘seemed’ -- on the so called
big divide of Christians, mainly those who identify as ‘evangelists’ vs those
who do not. That headline?
“Trump Should Be Removed from
Office”
Do you see anything in that title that should
cause any Christian to take up battle of words with one another over a
difference of opinion? That is all it is, the writer’s opinion printed in a
Christian publication with wide distribution. Then there is this, another ‘opinion’
but look at the full text and determine whether some of what was said is not
only personal opinion but also includes a judgment of Christians with
whom he has a spiritual ‘difference of opinion’. However, it is not
limited to disagreement with them but in part a personal/spiritual attack.
While what is said by the author [Steve Deace] of that
post is mostly correct, when it comes to his counsel notice as he exhorts and judges,
he doesn’t use Jesus as his authority; never refers to GOD as his authority,
only once does he mention Lord in context as the ‘word of the Lord’. In his
closing paragraph he actually states: “That if Christianity is declining in the
West, I think he'd say it is the fault of weak shepherds who fell into cultural
fads and idolatry. As this current debate actually proves. Indeed, nor do I
think Paul would be invited to give this take on any of the cable news networks
that provide you the affirmation you crave.” [Steve Deace on Facebook]
While it may satiate the followers who themselves
crave Steve’s opinions might it have been better stated and more inline
with gospel sharing to remind folks that some of what they are seeing play out
is what Jesus included in HIS Signs of the end; or, even those Paul himself wrote
of? Why would one Christian find the need to opine about what another wrote as
opinion in such a way as to divide out Christians, one from the other? For
instance: Mr. Galli, the Christian who penned the aforementioned article in Christianity
Today?
To be clear, Mr. Galli did the same thing. He too
castigated those who differed with this own opinion casting aspersions on those
who support the President -- judging their Christianity too. Both have a right
to write whatever they wish but both should also remember our GOD IS NOT
PARTIAL. HE does not do a comparative analysis of one Christian to another.
Does not designate Jew here, Gentile there; Rich man here, poor man there; Man
here, woman there. Or, evangelist here, traditional believer there,
conservative believer here, liberal believer there. We each have our own, our
individual relationship with the Lord and should be concerned that we seek HIS Spirit,
guidance and mercy without thought to Mr. Galli or Mr. Deace, or Ms Jones, Mrs.
Smith; nobody but our own.
There is a time and a place to counsel a fellow
Christian and Jesus points it out in Matt 18:15-17.
What is the key problem here? Too many Christians
have been caught up in politics and instead of their world view being primarily
through the lens of the Spirit it is through the lens of the flesh. How else
could it be for the corruption inherent in the political system of this country
is the leaven that has corrupted the spirit mind of those who would seek to
exercise their tongue in carnal matters like politics. In fact, James spends
the whole of chapter 3 discussing the tongue and how to identify what is
demonic and what is wisdom from above. This is what he said about the tongue:”
But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly
evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8 [bolded by blogger]
Of course, this blogger [me] is no less guilty of sin
and even sin against my brother/sister. It is not lost on this blogger that
some may take this post as an opinion like that of the other two, and it
would be a fair conclusion. Let me be clear, the point of this post is to try
and remind readers, some of whom are Christians, that if we find the need to
call out a fellow Christian, let us try to do it in love and with our Lord
Jesus as the exemplar of our faith and the author of our speech. Jesus gave so
much counsel in Matt chapters 5,6 and 7 about how to maneuver through life as a
Christian, how to relate to one another, how to pray, how not to pray, how to be
certain of blessings from GOD if we are afflicted for HIS sake and finally,
that we not be quick to judge one another because how we judge we will be
judged and really would you want GOD to use your example of judgment against
you???? I sure don’t want to be held to my own standards especially when I fail
to keep them daily! Lastly, Jesus alerts us to dual path in life; one leads to
destruction, one to life. HE mentions that when it comes time there will be
those who have spent their lives, or some significant portion of it doing
things ‘for the Lord’ but when Jesus meets them, HE doesn’t know them. Others
led by humility and who have done things from the Spirit are amazed that Jesus
not only knows them but every act of charity they ever did.
Can we please stop providing guile filled fodder
for the news folks and all those who are giddy over the ‘alleged’ divide among
Christians, now segregated out into categories of identification – which has
been the modus operandi for those engaged in ‘identity politics’. Our LORD
spelled out what would happen in time;” …they will lay their hands on you and
persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You
will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. – Luke 21:12
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and
kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And
then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many
false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because
lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”—Matt 24:9-12
May we be ever vigilant not to provide those who
look for ways to mock Christians the material they need to blow things up way
beyond the truth -- in this instance, it is really one man with an opinion who commented
about fellow Christians in an uncharitable way and instead of supporting his
right to free expression other Christians decided to respond in kind and they
all -- together -- did so over the Christmas holiday and THIS became the topic
du jour.
My prayer is that there be a united effort for Mr.
Galli and those Christians who have jumped on the article one way or another to
remember this one thing: If you all sat together in a church for a service,
seated right next to each other, would you be as disrespectful of each other’s
exhibition of faith or would you see each as your brother/sister?
In First John the 4th chapter you can read
a beautifully articulated and reasonable explanation of the kind of love we
should have for one another. In verse 4-6 we learn this: “You are of God,
little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater
than he who is in the world. 5 They are of
the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the
world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God
hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the
spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” Lastly, this: “And this
commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love
his brother also.” – 1John 4:21
NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or
feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source
of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to
get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself
trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with
HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16
“Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He
may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached
to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until
the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the
mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began.” –
Acts 3:19-20
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when
he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus
answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water
and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is
born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The
wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where
it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John
3:3-8
If you need help, please feel free to leave a
comment and I will respond. †
DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this
blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the
writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the
reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s
intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does.
“For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the
heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s
sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to
whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]
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