| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net '"Christianity is the greatest threat"' is true. For the reason you accidentally showed. You just attempted to use your religion as a WEAPON out of frustration. The day religion quits getting used for a weapon, I'll return to the cloth as it is. But that day will never come." This is a post from social media by an angry man responding to a verse I referred him to. In fairness, my motives were not entirely pure, and not to debate or justify my position (which means little or nothing), I would like to dissect the above response. The first time I heard "Christianity is a greater threat to America than Radical Islam", was in a monologue by either Bill Marr, Rosie O'Donnell, or both. Their statement didn't surprise me at all, but the fact that it (the statement) received a standing ovation, was telling. That said, let's move on to the Personal Application of this philosophy. Far too often, we Christians do use God's Word as a weapon. Often its damage is an un-intended byproduct, but just occasionally is very intentional - truth be known. I am guilty of this, and it ought not be. It doesn't display the love of God, brings Him little or no Glory, and seldom if ever helps the situation. But let's turn the Spiritual Switch, and consider the antithesis. What does the Word of God say about the Word of God? 2nd Tim. 3:16 = "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction , for instruction in righteousness:" Nugget: "Inspiration" is the same word God uses when He breathed life into Adam - so,, God's Word gives life. Just sayin. But what is Its (His Word) intended purpose? Doctrine = teaching. Reproof = rebuke or to expose sin. Correction = discipline. The opposition (whoever that is) would have you believe you can never even suggest that, or you are "judging" while Eph. 5: 11 tells us - "Do not be caught up (participants) in works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them." In short, there will be times that with the best, most noble, of intentions, you will not be able to employ enough diplomacy so as not to offend those with whom you try to share God's word. This should not stop you. What are you afraid of? Do you think you might offend them into another hell? It has always been God's word which saves souls. God uses the "foolishness of preaching" 1st Cor. 1:21, to save them that believe. Their potential response has little to do with it. The Truth is the Truth regardless of the messenger. Jesus is a Stumbling Block, as is the Gospel. Twas always thus. What if folks left you alone when you were combative to the Word? "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not". Gal. 6:9 This is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus. As far as the rest of his statement, he has assured me before that he doesn't believe the Bible at all, so even if all of us Christians could act rightly all of the time, he wouldn't come to Christ. And he is right , in that that will never happen (this side of Glory). But I would submit to him, that God is worthy of our praise, worship, honor and glory just by virtue of His Person. The rest is just excuses. What about you? Are you waiting for earthly perfection in others? Will that keep you from an eternity in Hell where the "stench of their torment rises up forever"? Do you really want to give another human that kind of power over your eternal destiny? And for us Christian: Are we loving others - or using God's Word as a weapon? This is why Paul admonishes us to - "Temper it with love", "be humble", and "Romans 12 - "do not think more highly of yourself than you ought". We all have a lot of work to do God bless. |
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