Nine-Eleven
In the United States, reaching people for Christ is challenging because of our country’s mutating, societal “wisdom” (James 3:13-18) of political correctness, tolerance, good and evil, choice, and religion. Unfortunately, these issues and their problems are just symptoms of a more somber pandemic - spiritual hatred for God. Everywhere, apathy for God increases – even among those who pledged loyalty to Him (2 Peter 2:20; cf. Galatians 4:9; Hebrews 10). Nevertheless, spiritual truth holds the answers for our lethargic hearts (John 14:6). Scripture deals with societal concerns of racism, government, morality, relationships, God, and right and wrong. It is a moral imperative to find the answers to the questions about God (cf. Psalm 14; 24; 63; 70; Hebrews 11)! So, how does God want believers in Christ to reach out to others; like, artificial Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, secularists, polytheist, or Wiccans, who don’t know the lifestyle of Christ?
Christians, in the United States, take delight in this country because they appreciate godly blessings; however, citizenship in God’s kingdom is not found in this earthly realm (Philippians 3:20). Is it wrong to defend one’s country, protect one’s family, or stand against threats from harm doers (cf. Romans 13)? No. Yet, it is wrong to substitute earthly wishes for God’s desires? Christians are challenged, daily, by the words of God – as are all who seek Him. It is our yearnings which says “yes” or “no” to God (cf. James 1). One Scriptural example centers on a man who valued his riches more than God’s favor. After Jesus inquired about his loyalties, He said, “’If you would be perfect [mature/complete], go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:21-22).
A different illustration shows a mammoth developmental shift in the maturity level of certain Christians. “And a number of those [Christians] who had practiced magic arts brought their books together [books they still owned] and burned them in the sight of all [their community]” (Acts 19:19a). These folks weren’t protesting another religion, per se, as much as they realized that the “belief” they followed did not have godly value. These people were followers of witchcraft before becoming Christians. Yet, like most who choose Christ, they clung to the trappings of their past instead of wholly committing their selves to Christ-like values. Thank God, this community threw away these expensive and “culturally relevant” morals and destroyed them. They said “Yes” to God and “No” to spiritual barrenness.
God’s persuasive ability towards godliness, in the individual, is limited by personal choice. Without a doubt, non believers are scornful towards a holy lifestyle (cf. Matthew 5:3-12; John 15:20; 1 Corinthians 4:12; Galatians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:12). Scripture substantiates this truth regarding quarrelers. First, Saul, a Jewish leader, persecuted and murdered Christians because they proclaimed the resurrection of Christ. “And I [Saul] punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities” (Acts 26:11; cf. Acts 9). Second, idol worshipers ill-treated Christians. “[T]his Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade [economy] of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis [religion] may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship" (Acts 19:26b-27). Third, the first century Roman government, with its role as “dragon” (cf. Revelation 12:3), was no exception in promoting Christian oppression (cf. Revelation).
Nationwide, United States citizens are ill-treated by the threat of Islamic jihadists. Sadly, they believed that using hijacked planes on 9/11, to kill people, was a good thing (Psalm 7; 34). These particular people, who are morally depraved, do not seek to spread godliness; rather, they seek to dishearten, obliterate, and breathe riotous behavior (not unlike any person who opposes God). Should anyone respect them? No. Nor should the godly fear them (cf. Psalm 23) because those who follow God understand that their citizenship is not within this realm. Truthfully, Christians should pray for their enemies because an eternity of death should not be desired by any man for any other man (cf. Matthew 5:43-48). Remember, Jesus’ mission, and ours, is to “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
A few weeks ago, a preacher in Florida planned to publically burn the Muslim’s holy text, the Koran, on 9/11/2010, as a statement of protest. I would argue that his thoughts were more nationalistic rather than evangelistic - spreading the “good news” about Christ. His thought process was, maybe, more like the immature disciples of Jesus who thought that destroying Samaritans would have been a good thing because they were rude to Jesus (Luke 9:50-54; cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-25). Does this preacher need to worry about bowing to Muslim wisdom or whims? No, not if he is with Christ. You see, God is in charge (Matthew 25:33).
Christians need to search out a way not to demoralize those who are separate from God. If you look at the apostles, like Paul, those, Gentiles, who complained against him did not claim that he blasphemed against their god(s) (cf. Acts 19:37). He was careful to “win” for Christ not “loose” for Christ. The fact of the matter is that the apostles were interested in reaching the lost by finding ways to positively communicate with others. True, it didn’t always work. People do have a choice and God will deal with those unfortunate people later (Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1). However, we must remember that God reaches out the hand of forgiveness to all who would follow Him through an obedient faith in Jesus Christ – even terrorists (cf. Acts 1:13). God’s mission is to evangelize to the lost. What is your mission in life (Matthew 28:18-20)?
Christians, in the United States, take delight in this country because they appreciate godly blessings; however, citizenship in God’s kingdom is not found in this earthly realm (Philippians 3:20). Is it wrong to defend one’s country, protect one’s family, or stand against threats from harm doers (cf. Romans 13)? No. Yet, it is wrong to substitute earthly wishes for God’s desires? Christians are challenged, daily, by the words of God – as are all who seek Him. It is our yearnings which says “yes” or “no” to God (cf. James 1). One Scriptural example centers on a man who valued his riches more than God’s favor. After Jesus inquired about his loyalties, He said, “’If you would be perfect [mature/complete], go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:21-22).
A different illustration shows a mammoth developmental shift in the maturity level of certain Christians. “And a number of those [Christians] who had practiced magic arts brought their books together [books they still owned] and burned them in the sight of all [their community]” (Acts 19:19a). These folks weren’t protesting another religion, per se, as much as they realized that the “belief” they followed did not have godly value. These people were followers of witchcraft before becoming Christians. Yet, like most who choose Christ, they clung to the trappings of their past instead of wholly committing their selves to Christ-like values. Thank God, this community threw away these expensive and “culturally relevant” morals and destroyed them. They said “Yes” to God and “No” to spiritual barrenness.
God’s persuasive ability towards godliness, in the individual, is limited by personal choice. Without a doubt, non believers are scornful towards a holy lifestyle (cf. Matthew 5:3-12; John 15:20; 1 Corinthians 4:12; Galatians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:12). Scripture substantiates this truth regarding quarrelers. First, Saul, a Jewish leader, persecuted and murdered Christians because they proclaimed the resurrection of Christ. “And I [Saul] punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities” (Acts 26:11; cf. Acts 9). Second, idol worshipers ill-treated Christians. “[T]his Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade [economy] of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis [religion] may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship" (Acts 19:26b-27). Third, the first century Roman government, with its role as “dragon” (cf. Revelation 12:3), was no exception in promoting Christian oppression (cf. Revelation).
Nationwide, United States citizens are ill-treated by the threat of Islamic jihadists. Sadly, they believed that using hijacked planes on 9/11, to kill people, was a good thing (Psalm 7; 34). These particular people, who are morally depraved, do not seek to spread godliness; rather, they seek to dishearten, obliterate, and breathe riotous behavior (not unlike any person who opposes God). Should anyone respect them? No. Nor should the godly fear them (cf. Psalm 23) because those who follow God understand that their citizenship is not within this realm. Truthfully, Christians should pray for their enemies because an eternity of death should not be desired by any man for any other man (cf. Matthew 5:43-48). Remember, Jesus’ mission, and ours, is to “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
A few weeks ago, a preacher in Florida planned to publically burn the Muslim’s holy text, the Koran, on 9/11/2010, as a statement of protest. I would argue that his thoughts were more nationalistic rather than evangelistic - spreading the “good news” about Christ. His thought process was, maybe, more like the immature disciples of Jesus who thought that destroying Samaritans would have been a good thing because they were rude to Jesus (Luke 9:50-54; cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-25). Does this preacher need to worry about bowing to Muslim wisdom or whims? No, not if he is with Christ. You see, God is in charge (Matthew 25:33).
Christians need to search out a way not to demoralize those who are separate from God. If you look at the apostles, like Paul, those, Gentiles, who complained against him did not claim that he blasphemed against their god(s) (cf. Acts 19:37). He was careful to “win” for Christ not “loose” for Christ. The fact of the matter is that the apostles were interested in reaching the lost by finding ways to positively communicate with others. True, it didn’t always work. People do have a choice and God will deal with those unfortunate people later (Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1). However, we must remember that God reaches out the hand of forgiveness to all who would follow Him through an obedient faith in Jesus Christ – even terrorists (cf. Acts 1:13). God’s mission is to evangelize to the lost. What is your mission in life (Matthew 28:18-20)?
Article published on September 17, 2010 at The Idalou Beacon in Idalou, Texas
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" in Septmeber, 2010
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