Two weeks after not guilty and where is America at? Has the country's temperature risen any hotter? The melee lasted for a bit. A week at best. Some destroyed buildings and properties, several marches, a lot of speeches, and of course, regulars like Al Sharpton and Congressman John Lewis had their say in front of the public eye. And people are still marching. Rallies are still being held with more awaiting to be scheduled. A likely Civil case against the defendant George Zimmerman will resume the legal argument at an unknown point in the future. But all in all when compared to the fiasco occurring with the Rodney King beating in LA, OJ Simpson's run from the law with his now infamous Ford Bronco, and the historical murder of Emmett Till back in 1955 for simply whistling at a white woman, the noise and chaos from Trayvon Martin's murder seems to be quieting down pretty rapidly. Yes there are still news reminders here and there and yes some of us still talk about the tragedy during our own social meetings and while hearing personal sermons from our various pastors but compared to the devastation of the Rodney King aftermath and how that incident kept America up for years, Trayvon Martin's death does not seem to have that same effect.
From the news media one can hear the hot topics jump back into the daily occurrence of furious weather, further unrest and likelihood of bigger wars in places around the Mid East, such as Egypt and Syria, as well as the media's favorite topic, their hopes of the new Pope Francis possibly declaring his support of homosexuality through his statement "who am I to judge?". Looks like the great media has already lost interest in the Trayvon Martin case or maybe the audience along with the mass civil rights movement has tired of the topic.
What may be occurring in America is possibly a shift in individual priorities and interest. While talking to both black and white people regarding the case I discovered that not all black men and women were upset about the case. Some black men and women believe that the Trayvon Martin case ruling was fair. Some white men and women believed that George Zimmerman got away with murder. Could this be a sign? Is it possible that the race division in America is subsiding even if the change is ever so slowly?
Or maybe there is another division, a separation much greater than that of race and ethnicity that is beginning to take its place as #1 deep in the hearts of American people. A separation that has always been there but hardly mentioned as a top priority amongst human beings. The division of certain beliefs against that of one's faith or can we say atheism versus Christianity. One can more closely look at the situation as a partition between the faithful followers of Christ and those who will yield to the world.
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:9-11
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14.
Listening to Trayvon Martin's father and people like Al Sharpton speak about the young boy's tragedy and its involvement with race can be very galvanizing. Very tempting for any man, white or black to want to join in. As a Christian man, I too wanted to join the march. Not because of any angry feelings towards Zimmerman, but as a writer and a person who often studies the current culture and media, I wanted to be involved so that I could see, hear, and feel the tension for myself and later share what I learned via my blogs as well as my voice. But I too have to be careful because there is a devil involved in all of this and he is very cunning. He will get you all swept up and emotional over a certain issue while leaving you to forget what is the most important. Remember the two greatest commandments: love God with all one's heart, all one's soul, all one's mind. The other, love your neighbors as you love yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). And please do not forget, God will have the last say, regardless of what happens here on earth, trust Him.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
An Unholy Message
I had no intention of writing about this but after viewing it on the web I could not help it. This story represents a fact that the upper 90 % of the US population will never know about unless somebody tells them. And when one views it the person should not allow the images and words to freak them out. Instead they should realize the reality that such beliefs exists in this country and that some of our fellow citizens take it very seriously. Unfortunately you will not know these details via popular media. This is information they do not want you to know because if news like this was to be viewed by the everyday individual making his or her life in America a lot of people would likely change their mind regarding certain social/political views. But it is essential that people, everybody, especially Christians do not turn their attention away from such things not because we want to focus on what we view as "what is wrong with the world" or what many would call "negative", but so that we as a group, a community can see and realize the inner facts and realities that are behind what we discuss about everyday at work, in church, or at the dinner table.
Just a few days ago a group of satanists from their own New York based Satanic temple performed a ritual in front of the grave site of the mother of Fred Phelps The infamous Westboro church's founder. The ritual displayed two male temple members kissing each other while on top of Fred Phelps mother's grave site. They later had two women kiss each other while on top of the deceased woman's grave site. All this kissing was done in hopes of changing Fred Phelps deceased mother's sexual orientation into being gay. Now if you don't know, the Westboro church is the same church that is well known for picketing deceased US soldiers funerals showing signs depicting each soldiers death as the consequences for America's sins. They also hoist up signs for the media to captivate stating that "God hates fags". Now I personally don't agree with everything the Westboro church says or some of the methods they choose to communicate their message, but they do have the world's attention concerning big controversial issues capturing the attention of American people. Their message has been strong enough to warrant the attention of ABC news and this out of the woodwork satanic church.
We have the extremes of two groups of people, one wanting people everywhere to know that God hates fags, which he don't and the other wanting to kiss each other to the point that will transform a dead woman into a lesbian, nuts. Both are highly extreme messages with only one widely shown to the general public. Both messages are bizarre, the satanists' message being darker, but both alienate individuals from the true message of Christ. This is why it is essential that everyone be patient and well informed regarding what is going on and who is behind the issues on front center of the news scenes everyday. The devil is very much behind the message of gay acceptance as well as he is behind the extreme message of some of those who preach loudly about the sin but whisper silently the message of love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption. Christians together need to preach messages concerning love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption as well as God's wrath towards those who continue to give up their lives unto sin. God hates sin. He detests it. But he openly accepts those who are willing to repent of their sins and accept Him first and center into their lives. In God's center there is no hatred towards people no fear of the world. God's center delivers hope and refuge to the individual heaped and struggling with the temptation to sin. His center provides a path away from darkness, providing hope, a means for forgiveness, a life full of love and compassion. A love greater than what can be offered at Westboro and certainly more comforting then the kisses illustrated by the two male and two female couples representing the temple from the devil.
Videos of newscast:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/satanist-temple-perform-gay-ritual-westboro-gravesite-19704496
http://www.inquisitr.com/858842/satanists-westboro-baptist-church-pink-mass/
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:16-26
Just a few days ago a group of satanists from their own New York based Satanic temple performed a ritual in front of the grave site of the mother of Fred Phelps The infamous Westboro church's founder. The ritual displayed two male temple members kissing each other while on top of Fred Phelps mother's grave site. They later had two women kiss each other while on top of the deceased woman's grave site. All this kissing was done in hopes of changing Fred Phelps deceased mother's sexual orientation into being gay. Now if you don't know, the Westboro church is the same church that is well known for picketing deceased US soldiers funerals showing signs depicting each soldiers death as the consequences for America's sins. They also hoist up signs for the media to captivate stating that "God hates fags". Now I personally don't agree with everything the Westboro church says or some of the methods they choose to communicate their message, but they do have the world's attention concerning big controversial issues capturing the attention of American people. Their message has been strong enough to warrant the attention of ABC news and this out of the woodwork satanic church.
We have the extremes of two groups of people, one wanting people everywhere to know that God hates fags, which he don't and the other wanting to kiss each other to the point that will transform a dead woman into a lesbian, nuts. Both are highly extreme messages with only one widely shown to the general public. Both messages are bizarre, the satanists' message being darker, but both alienate individuals from the true message of Christ. This is why it is essential that everyone be patient and well informed regarding what is going on and who is behind the issues on front center of the news scenes everyday. The devil is very much behind the message of gay acceptance as well as he is behind the extreme message of some of those who preach loudly about the sin but whisper silently the message of love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption. Christians together need to preach messages concerning love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption as well as God's wrath towards those who continue to give up their lives unto sin. God hates sin. He detests it. But he openly accepts those who are willing to repent of their sins and accept Him first and center into their lives. In God's center there is no hatred towards people no fear of the world. God's center delivers hope and refuge to the individual heaped and struggling with the temptation to sin. His center provides a path away from darkness, providing hope, a means for forgiveness, a life full of love and compassion. A love greater than what can be offered at Westboro and certainly more comforting then the kisses illustrated by the two male and two female couples representing the temple from the devil.
Videos of newscast:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/satanist-temple-perform-gay-ritual-westboro-gravesite-19704496
http://www.inquisitr.com/858842/satanists-westboro-baptist-church-pink-mass/
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:16-26
Monday, July 15, 2013
Not Guilty
Here we go again. Another captivating trial where one ethnic group, one demographic representing a large population of America feels cheated. Going back to the often mentioned OJ Simpson case, Emmett Till, and even the Rodney King melee in LA, the issue of race has always erupted in a big way in this country. A time where politicians and the media are are excited over increasing gay hype, discussing methods towards increasing women's rights to abortion, meddling in the affairs of our Boy Scouts, and how churches run their private organizations, the big monster in the closet jumps out. Right in the midst of the time when America is still cleaning up from Hurricane Sandy and recovering from murders committed in Sandy Hook another familiar menace has popped his head. Racism. America has found itself heaped under racial issues since its birth. Via the Constitution, education, creating further laws, money, and even the ushering of the country's first black president America has placed much hope on many attempts to conquer its problems. Even with such attempts, many of them honest, America still has not come close to solving what is a very deep heart issue.
I have read and listened to both sides of the argument. Many say that the prosecution team simply did not come up with enough evidence to prove that Zimmerman was guilty of murdering Trayvon beyond a reasonable doubt. They say that there was not enough substantial evidence shown to prove that George Zimmerman was not trying to defend himself. People speaking on behalf of the prosecution state that George Zimmerman came forward with the weapon. Trayvon was unarmed. Trayvon was going about his business not looking for a fight. Zimmerman approached him already profiling the young lad as a criminal then used his assumptions to begin a physical altercation. Then pow, pow, a young black man lays dead. Unfortunately he is not alive to share his story, to tell the American audience his version of what happened that day of his death. So the court relies on the story of the now famous, Mr George Zimmerman.
Myself, I am not a huge fan of guns. I believe that people should be allowed to buy weapons, but the availability of these arms should come with much restriction. No one should be allowed to run around a neighborhood with a gun simply because he sees a "suspicious" stranger walking in his neighborhood. People like George Zimmerman are highly paranoid and lack desire to communicate with people via conversation. They act before they think. When such a person is carrying a deadly weapon, tragic consequences are very likely to occur. A person like Mr Zimmerman should not be allowed to carry a fire arm. Hopefully this man has at least learned a lesson and will decide on his own to put his gun away. He appears to be a man with an itchy trigger finger, bent on assumptions while using stereotypes as a mental guide. If he has not learned by now he could likely find himself in this same position in his future.
Again this is a heart issue, representing a country filled with people who are so obsessed over weapons, protecting themselves, shielding their "loved ones", competing with one another, Americans have forgotten to love one another as much as God loves them. America has forgotten the golden rule, that is to do unto others' as we would want them to do unto us. What if Zimmerman would have calmed down, not thought the worse, and kindly asked Trayvon what he was up to, what he was doing? Even if the young lad would have responded to the weapon carrier with several curses and variations of "mind your own ?!?! business", at least the seventeen year old would still be alive right now. Let's say perhaps even if the young man was whipping Zimmerman's butte on the pavement, wouldn't it be better for him to have taken the physical beating than for him to have shot the lad. As a child growing up I have witnessed and known of my own peers who had the buttes whooped on the playgrounds or behind the school building. They got right back up, sometimes with eye patches, bandages, or slings and went about their business. Some of them even reattached with their foes, became friends and rekindled a once torn relationship. What this case has taught us is that whenever anybody rouses your suspicion or ?!?!?! you off, go grab a gun and take care of the problem yourself. If a tragedy occurs tell the law that you were protecting yourself then you have a shot of going free.
But going back to the heart issue America has a huge race problem. This country's citizens need to deal with it or else the problem will just grow bigger. We may just be a few more Trayvon Martin's away from experiencing an all out civil unrest or even worse. Reading commentaries from both sides one can read hatred from one color towards another. The good news is that one can see many white and hispanic people on television standing along with their black friends and neighbors begging for justice for Trayvon. Such is a good sign that there are many out there who see death as death regardless of the color. We also see that the level of violence after the verdict is not close to the level that occurred after the Rodney King trial. Hopefully our politically leaders would take this issue seriously and work on domestic programs focused on building better friendships and relationships between different ethnic groups, demographics, wage earners, age groups, and the like. Hopefully Black Americans and their popular role models will pull away from social politics and the media's attempt to forcefully bunch them together with pro homosexual and trans gender groups. Such comparisons hijacks the true feelings and circumstances involving the average black man and woman living in the United States while disallowing the Black American individual from speaking for his or herself. It is confusing people who are trying to understand the history of black people and their struggles. It sends the wrong message.
Hopefully Americans as a whole can once again go back to church and their Bibles while searching for true answers to the problems and issues arising in this country. God's Word can show one how to love one another. Such power and wisdom is capable of bringing together races whom have experienced years of hatred between one another. Armed with God's love, one can learn how to turn the other cheek and not feel like he or she has to respond to every suspicion with a gun.
I have read and listened to both sides of the argument. Many say that the prosecution team simply did not come up with enough evidence to prove that Zimmerman was guilty of murdering Trayvon beyond a reasonable doubt. They say that there was not enough substantial evidence shown to prove that George Zimmerman was not trying to defend himself. People speaking on behalf of the prosecution state that George Zimmerman came forward with the weapon. Trayvon was unarmed. Trayvon was going about his business not looking for a fight. Zimmerman approached him already profiling the young lad as a criminal then used his assumptions to begin a physical altercation. Then pow, pow, a young black man lays dead. Unfortunately he is not alive to share his story, to tell the American audience his version of what happened that day of his death. So the court relies on the story of the now famous, Mr George Zimmerman.
Myself, I am not a huge fan of guns. I believe that people should be allowed to buy weapons, but the availability of these arms should come with much restriction. No one should be allowed to run around a neighborhood with a gun simply because he sees a "suspicious" stranger walking in his neighborhood. People like George Zimmerman are highly paranoid and lack desire to communicate with people via conversation. They act before they think. When such a person is carrying a deadly weapon, tragic consequences are very likely to occur. A person like Mr Zimmerman should not be allowed to carry a fire arm. Hopefully this man has at least learned a lesson and will decide on his own to put his gun away. He appears to be a man with an itchy trigger finger, bent on assumptions while using stereotypes as a mental guide. If he has not learned by now he could likely find himself in this same position in his future.
Again this is a heart issue, representing a country filled with people who are so obsessed over weapons, protecting themselves, shielding their "loved ones", competing with one another, Americans have forgotten to love one another as much as God loves them. America has forgotten the golden rule, that is to do unto others' as we would want them to do unto us. What if Zimmerman would have calmed down, not thought the worse, and kindly asked Trayvon what he was up to, what he was doing? Even if the young lad would have responded to the weapon carrier with several curses and variations of "mind your own ?!?! business", at least the seventeen year old would still be alive right now. Let's say perhaps even if the young man was whipping Zimmerman's butte on the pavement, wouldn't it be better for him to have taken the physical beating than for him to have shot the lad. As a child growing up I have witnessed and known of my own peers who had the buttes whooped on the playgrounds or behind the school building. They got right back up, sometimes with eye patches, bandages, or slings and went about their business. Some of them even reattached with their foes, became friends and rekindled a once torn relationship. What this case has taught us is that whenever anybody rouses your suspicion or ?!?!?! you off, go grab a gun and take care of the problem yourself. If a tragedy occurs tell the law that you were protecting yourself then you have a shot of going free.
But going back to the heart issue America has a huge race problem. This country's citizens need to deal with it or else the problem will just grow bigger. We may just be a few more Trayvon Martin's away from experiencing an all out civil unrest or even worse. Reading commentaries from both sides one can read hatred from one color towards another. The good news is that one can see many white and hispanic people on television standing along with their black friends and neighbors begging for justice for Trayvon. Such is a good sign that there are many out there who see death as death regardless of the color. We also see that the level of violence after the verdict is not close to the level that occurred after the Rodney King trial. Hopefully our politically leaders would take this issue seriously and work on domestic programs focused on building better friendships and relationships between different ethnic groups, demographics, wage earners, age groups, and the like. Hopefully Black Americans and their popular role models will pull away from social politics and the media's attempt to forcefully bunch them together with pro homosexual and trans gender groups. Such comparisons hijacks the true feelings and circumstances involving the average black man and woman living in the United States while disallowing the Black American individual from speaking for his or herself. It is confusing people who are trying to understand the history of black people and their struggles. It sends the wrong message.
Hopefully Americans as a whole can once again go back to church and their Bibles while searching for true answers to the problems and issues arising in this country. God's Word can show one how to love one another. Such power and wisdom is capable of bringing together races whom have experienced years of hatred between one another. Armed with God's love, one can learn how to turn the other cheek and not feel like he or she has to respond to every suspicion with a gun.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Twice the Son of Hell
Twice the Son of hell. How bad is it for someone to be labeled twice the Son of hell? Now imagine someone approaching you in front of a large crowd of people and flatly calling you "twice the Son of hell". Now imagine that person to be Jesus Christ. Now if that does not humble someone, I would feel clueless to know what else to say to that individual. Yet swarms of people, teachers of the law, pharisees, the ones with the brilliant education, respected, and great knowledge, the people everyone "has" to look up to, were called twice the sons of hell.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
Matthew 23:1-15.
Yes for those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Being told that one is twice the son of hell is likely the worse thing anyone can tell another person, especially if mentioned by Jesus Christ Himself. That means time to take the tassels off, burn the royal wear display, thoroughly inspect and scrub those cups and plates (both inside and outside), dress naked before the Lord while praying fervently on both knees. Because even at one's lowest point our Lord is still able and willing to forgive. Unfortunately for the pharisees, as people often do, hardened their hearts and grew more unwilling to bend down and humble themselves to the point of making any effort to see beyond what they have studied as well as their traditions. Their outside appearances, outward knowledge, and mannerisms made them appear to themselves and others as if they were on the front steps at the gateway to heaven. Instead these religious leaders and experts were jaunting down that broad path to hell, a path so broad yet so deceiving, even many of the people who have read and are in their own rights experts in the Bible are themselves headed down that broad path.
How does one become twice the son of hell, stubbornness. Pride is also included in this category. The pharisees and teachers of the law were extremely prideful. They thought they knew everything necessary to know about heaven, God, yet the very Savior, Himself, prophesied by Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah and the other prophets was right there in front of their faces. They could see, feel, and smell, Him, yet even with all their talents, accomplishments, and years of learning they could not figure it out.
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
9 He said, “Go and tell this people:
“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.[a]
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
God already forewarned what would happen. The Son of man will in the future appear in the flesh. If they would hear with their ears and understand with their hearts, turn and then they will be healed. They just needed to be willing, be humbled, and repent.
9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a]”
He who has hears let him hear. That means anybody. This is not rocket science. The pharisees stubbornly made something complicated that God intended to be simple. Not simple in actually living a life committed to Christ, yes that takes dedication and willfully making sacrifices. This is simple in terms of understanding that God is a loving God, very willing and with open arms but one has to make a commitment. One has to commit his or her heart to Him and love Him with all his or her heart. God will make a way for each and everyone of us, if we will only humble ourselves, unlike what the pharisees and teachers of the law were unwilling to do, and give our lives to Him. God will take care of the rest.
As for one being twice the son of hell, these are the ones who, like the pharisees, spend time studying the Word and involving themselves in religious traditions yet are not faithful to God. These are people who preach messages outside of what is found within the Word of God. These are people who begin cults, start churches with rules and regulations created outside the will of God. They travel all over America and other parts of the world to preach and sign people up for ideas and mysticism with stories and promises that lead their followers farther and farther away from God. Their messages sound interesting, many times are intellectual, and to some make sense, yet their teachings is not the truth. Their message is not the same message preached by Jesus Christ.
What are you doing? Are you making disciples? Are you leading people to Christ? Are you preaching the true message, or are you leading people astray with false teachings? Are you following the wisdom and teachings of celebrities and every new, in the know, somebody introduced by the world? Are you someone who feels that they are too "educated" to follow and believe what is written in the Bible, the Word of God? Remember, wherever you stand, your life will end one day and the bearings and fruits of one's choices will be tested. Don't allow the world to fool you there are consequences after death. The soul will live on.....somewhere.
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They
tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s
shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move
them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [b]15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
Matthew 23:1-15.
Yes for those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Being told that one is twice the son of hell is likely the worse thing anyone can tell another person, especially if mentioned by Jesus Christ Himself. That means time to take the tassels off, burn the royal wear display, thoroughly inspect and scrub those cups and plates (both inside and outside), dress naked before the Lord while praying fervently on both knees. Because even at one's lowest point our Lord is still able and willing to forgive. Unfortunately for the pharisees, as people often do, hardened their hearts and grew more unwilling to bend down and humble themselves to the point of making any effort to see beyond what they have studied as well as their traditions. Their outside appearances, outward knowledge, and mannerisms made them appear to themselves and others as if they were on the front steps at the gateway to heaven. Instead these religious leaders and experts were jaunting down that broad path to hell, a path so broad yet so deceiving, even many of the people who have read and are in their own rights experts in the Bible are themselves headed down that broad path.
How does one become twice the son of hell, stubbornness. Pride is also included in this category. The pharisees and teachers of the law were extremely prideful. They thought they knew everything necessary to know about heaven, God, yet the very Savior, Himself, prophesied by Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah and the other prophets was right there in front of their faces. They could see, feel, and smell, Him, yet even with all their talents, accomplishments, and years of learning they could not figure it out.
Isaiah 6:8-10
New International Version (NIV)
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
9 He said, “Go and tell this people:
“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.[a]
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
God already forewarned what would happen. The Son of man will in the future appear in the flesh. If they would hear with their ears and understand with their hearts, turn and then they will be healed. They just needed to be willing, be humbled, and repent.
Mark 4:9-12
New International Version (NIV)
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a]”
He who has hears let him hear. That means anybody. This is not rocket science. The pharisees stubbornly made something complicated that God intended to be simple. Not simple in actually living a life committed to Christ, yes that takes dedication and willfully making sacrifices. This is simple in terms of understanding that God is a loving God, very willing and with open arms but one has to make a commitment. One has to commit his or her heart to Him and love Him with all his or her heart. God will make a way for each and everyone of us, if we will only humble ourselves, unlike what the pharisees and teachers of the law were unwilling to do, and give our lives to Him. God will take care of the rest.
As for one being twice the son of hell, these are the ones who, like the pharisees, spend time studying the Word and involving themselves in religious traditions yet are not faithful to God. These are people who preach messages outside of what is found within the Word of God. These are people who begin cults, start churches with rules and regulations created outside the will of God. They travel all over America and other parts of the world to preach and sign people up for ideas and mysticism with stories and promises that lead their followers farther and farther away from God. Their messages sound interesting, many times are intellectual, and to some make sense, yet their teachings is not the truth. Their message is not the same message preached by Jesus Christ.
What are you doing? Are you making disciples? Are you leading people to Christ? Are you preaching the true message, or are you leading people astray with false teachings? Are you following the wisdom and teachings of celebrities and every new, in the know, somebody introduced by the world? Are you someone who feels that they are too "educated" to follow and believe what is written in the Bible, the Word of God? Remember, wherever you stand, your life will end one day and the bearings and fruits of one's choices will be tested. Don't allow the world to fool you there are consequences after death. The soul will live on.....somewhere.
There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Price for Hypocrisy
Being a Christian in the world is a challenging task. Not only is a disciple of Christ faced with many enticing temptations offered by the world, the believer also has been given much responsibility. One of those responsibilities is to behave and act like Christ. A Christian must behave and act like Christ in order to glorify God and at the same time display to the world an image of Jesus. Another responsibility is being a productive witness towards leading others to Christ. An example of these responsibilities is illustrated in many of the parable found in the new testament. One of the parables is located in Matthew 25:14-30. Here the Master allots various amounts of talents to 3 servants. Regardless of whether the servants were given five, two, or one talents the master expected a return on His investment. The parable portrays God's desire for Christians to as we say in the world "walk the talk", profess one's faith as well act it out in front of the world.
Part of acting one's faith out is making disciples.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus commands us, His disciples to make new disciples of Christ. His command relates to us using our talents towards accomplishing what He desires from us. Being productive with our talents will enable us to make new disciples and build God's Kingdom.
While building God's kingdom Christians also want to pay attention towards strengthening His Kingdom. Part of strengthening God's kingdom is not only making disciples but also educating them on God's Word and His ways. Our responsibility is to teach them how to be a productive disciple of Christ which brings us back to portraying to them through our own lives an image of Jesus.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
Matthew 23:1-15.
One of the most, or likely the most common complaint from the world against Christians is hypocrisy. Of course people who have read and understand the Bible know that Christians commit sins as well. No one who has lived in this world but Jesus Christ Himself was perfect, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23-24). But most of the world does not understand or neglects this part of the Word, which increases the importance that we show ourselves a good example so that though they may not understand, through our witness and love they can at least catch a glimpse of the promises Christ has waiting for them. A promise much greater than what the world can offer them.
Hypocrisy can be a great stumbling block to building God's Kingdom. Many times while attempting to teach an unbeliever why or why not a specific behavior or trend heavily glorified by the world is wrong, a witness for Christ is often approached with a taunting or an accusation of him, her, or Christians in general as being a hypocrite. Whether the title is deserved by the individual or not, the person witnessing should display true love for the individual and people as a whole as one who is making great efforts toward sharing the good news of Christ as well as providing better option apart from what can be obtained from the world, an option full of good hope for a season of eternity compared to an option that is temporary and often deceiving. For the world has its own share of hypocrisies. How many times have individuals been advised of the "new thing", the "it factor", the can't lose option that is supposed to be an hundred percent winner only to come out disappointed. Many businesses and practices have had their high times only to close while leaving many jobless and broke. Inspirational musicians and talented artists have disappointed their loyal fans with their own weaknesses often consumed with drugs, crimes, and addictive sexual habits. Billions of dollars are spent each year selling people on playing the lottery. Odds of winning the Powerball lottery is 1 in 175,223,510. Odds of winning just a mere $4 in the same game is 1 in 55.41. The odds of becoming a professional athlete is 1 per 300,000 people. Odds of becoming an actor, if you are talented and good, are 1 in 23. A lot of people will spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to win, fulfill dreams and some will fail. The world may often look at some of these examples and snicker, some may make some news, but everyone will eventually move on. A christian making a bad step, especially one who is doing his or her job preaching the Word and holding others accountable, will face harsh criticisms as the disciples, or Christian leaders like Moses and Aaron did from their own fellow peers. Imagine a well known Christian leader like Andy Stanley, Billy Graham, Rick Warren, or retired NFL coach Tony Dungy, being involved in in a heavy media involved scandal that is deep in sin involving crime, money laundering, drugs, or something sexual in nature. One can imagine the number of media members, political leaders, celebrities, and people in general yelling out the words 'hypocrites" and using such an individual and his or her mistakes to condemn all Christians as well as Christ's message. This is what happens day to day and what provides fuel to many of the sins and denials of the authority of Christ committed today. Accusations and evidence of hypocrisy creates a greater acceptance of divorce, sex out of marriage, gay marriage, self indulgence, a high disregard for the Church, and a lower respect for Christians and Jesus Christ in general.
As anybody who dutiful reads and studies the Bible, the world is supposed to grow worse as the day of Christ's return gets closer. So in a way we expect that the hearts and souls will turn colder to the Word of God and warmer towards idols and the desires of the flesh. The Christian is armed with the sharp, piercing sword, the Bible, and God's shield but must still have faith in the weapons provided as well as the provider. With faith enabling the Christian, the battle is still tough and the temptation to quit and give in to world as well as its master the devil still enticing but as the Word said there will be victory given by God to the ones who will remain faithful to Him to the end. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved Matthew 10:21-22.
So what's the key. The key is to continue to have faith in God and to stay firm to the end. What is the answer to hypocrisy. The answer to hypocrisy is to continue to place one's faith in the Lord and stay firm to the end. If one has sinned, repent, then stay firm to the end. If one is accused of being a hypocrite, whether the accusation is on point or not, stay firm to the end. For we are the messengers of Christ. We are witnesses here on earth to spread the Word and help others to escape the fire that awaits those who refuse to follow His path. Those who accuse us can't judge us. They don't have the power or authority to send us to hell, only God does. And His word says that He will save us if we remain faithful to Him to the end. So let us remain faithful to the end. Let's place our faith and strength in the wonders of that which is in Christ as we share our message with the world in hopes of bringing others with us. Amen.
Part of acting one's faith out is making disciples.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus commands us, His disciples to make new disciples of Christ. His command relates to us using our talents towards accomplishing what He desires from us. Being productive with our talents will enable us to make new disciples and build God's Kingdom.
While building God's kingdom Christians also want to pay attention towards strengthening His Kingdom. Part of strengthening God's kingdom is not only making disciples but also educating them on God's Word and His ways. Our responsibility is to teach them how to be a productive disciple of Christ which brings us back to portraying to them through our own lives an image of Jesus.
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They
tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s
shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move
them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14]15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
Matthew 23:1-15.
One of the most, or likely the most common complaint from the world against Christians is hypocrisy. Of course people who have read and understand the Bible know that Christians commit sins as well. No one who has lived in this world but Jesus Christ Himself was perfect, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23-24). But most of the world does not understand or neglects this part of the Word, which increases the importance that we show ourselves a good example so that though they may not understand, through our witness and love they can at least catch a glimpse of the promises Christ has waiting for them. A promise much greater than what the world can offer them.
Hypocrisy can be a great stumbling block to building God's Kingdom. Many times while attempting to teach an unbeliever why or why not a specific behavior or trend heavily glorified by the world is wrong, a witness for Christ is often approached with a taunting or an accusation of him, her, or Christians in general as being a hypocrite. Whether the title is deserved by the individual or not, the person witnessing should display true love for the individual and people as a whole as one who is making great efforts toward sharing the good news of Christ as well as providing better option apart from what can be obtained from the world, an option full of good hope for a season of eternity compared to an option that is temporary and often deceiving. For the world has its own share of hypocrisies. How many times have individuals been advised of the "new thing", the "it factor", the can't lose option that is supposed to be an hundred percent winner only to come out disappointed. Many businesses and practices have had their high times only to close while leaving many jobless and broke. Inspirational musicians and talented artists have disappointed their loyal fans with their own weaknesses often consumed with drugs, crimes, and addictive sexual habits. Billions of dollars are spent each year selling people on playing the lottery. Odds of winning the Powerball lottery is 1 in 175,223,510. Odds of winning just a mere $4 in the same game is 1 in 55.41. The odds of becoming a professional athlete is 1 per 300,000 people. Odds of becoming an actor, if you are talented and good, are 1 in 23. A lot of people will spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to win, fulfill dreams and some will fail. The world may often look at some of these examples and snicker, some may make some news, but everyone will eventually move on. A christian making a bad step, especially one who is doing his or her job preaching the Word and holding others accountable, will face harsh criticisms as the disciples, or Christian leaders like Moses and Aaron did from their own fellow peers. Imagine a well known Christian leader like Andy Stanley, Billy Graham, Rick Warren, or retired NFL coach Tony Dungy, being involved in in a heavy media involved scandal that is deep in sin involving crime, money laundering, drugs, or something sexual in nature. One can imagine the number of media members, political leaders, celebrities, and people in general yelling out the words 'hypocrites" and using such an individual and his or her mistakes to condemn all Christians as well as Christ's message. This is what happens day to day and what provides fuel to many of the sins and denials of the authority of Christ committed today. Accusations and evidence of hypocrisy creates a greater acceptance of divorce, sex out of marriage, gay marriage, self indulgence, a high disregard for the Church, and a lower respect for Christians and Jesus Christ in general.
As anybody who dutiful reads and studies the Bible, the world is supposed to grow worse as the day of Christ's return gets closer. So in a way we expect that the hearts and souls will turn colder to the Word of God and warmer towards idols and the desires of the flesh. The Christian is armed with the sharp, piercing sword, the Bible, and God's shield but must still have faith in the weapons provided as well as the provider. With faith enabling the Christian, the battle is still tough and the temptation to quit and give in to world as well as its master the devil still enticing but as the Word said there will be victory given by God to the ones who will remain faithful to Him to the end. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved Matthew 10:21-22.
So what's the key. The key is to continue to have faith in God and to stay firm to the end. What is the answer to hypocrisy. The answer to hypocrisy is to continue to place one's faith in the Lord and stay firm to the end. If one has sinned, repent, then stay firm to the end. If one is accused of being a hypocrite, whether the accusation is on point or not, stay firm to the end. For we are the messengers of Christ. We are witnesses here on earth to spread the Word and help others to escape the fire that awaits those who refuse to follow His path. Those who accuse us can't judge us. They don't have the power or authority to send us to hell, only God does. And His word says that He will save us if we remain faithful to Him to the end. So let us remain faithful to the end. Let's place our faith and strength in the wonders of that which is in Christ as we share our message with the world in hopes of bringing others with us. Amen.
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