“But I say unto you, Love your enemy…” (Matthew 5:44 A)

In dealing with our enemies or with difficult persons, or with people in general we are expected by The Lord Jesus to exercise the faith He has sent us. The measure of faith and grace needed will be there when you need it, simply request it. Acknowledge your need of His provisions and from His riches He will grant it.

As we look at this directive found in the Sermon from the mount we notice many things. First He say’s, “But I say unto you…” He is putting His Words, not above the Law, at variance and above the words spoken down through the ages as rabbis and scribes would misinterpret the Law. It is written in the Law that one should love one’s neighbor. The priests, scribes, and rabbis would then teach that one should love a neighbor, which consists of friends and family, but then hate one’s enemies for they are not among your friends and family. This is not the Law that God set forth. It is the Law in the hands of depraved sinners.

Christ therefore exalts the Law by giving it’s proper meaning and He also places Himself above the religious leaders of the past and present for these false teachings were still in play.

After taking His exalted place and position He tells His hearers and now His readers to “Love your enemies…” When a person hears these Words their automatic response is, “What? How?” To love one’s family and friends is natural may not always be easy but it is natural. My mother used to tell me that she loved me but did not like me. That is true in many families as it is true in the church. We may not like each other all the time but we do love each other as that love is the tie that binds. But to love an enemy that seems unnatural. That goes against our nature. That is true it does go against our nature because our nature is depraved.

But before one discounts one’s ability to love the enemy let us study this teaching. We must remember that we are new creatures in Christ; so that which would have been impossible before is now possible as all things are possible with God for He is the God of the impossible.

Let us next realize that Christ is not speaking of the emotional love or the feeling of love but of the love that provides and the love that desires God’s best for them. Let us look at the rest of Christ directive in this verse. “[B]less them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you… This is what He means by loving one’s enemies. If someone curses you then you bless them. If someone says hateful things about you simply respond, “I’m sorry you feel that way, God Bless you.” and go on your way. For those that hate you and oppose you Christ would have you do good unto them if and/or when given opportunity. When others look upon you as “less than” or persecute you for the faith simply pray for them.

Let us also differentiate between public enemies and private enemies.  David in the Psalms states his hatred for those that hate God. These are public enemies. We will put this into prospective. Imagine a parade is going down your street and this parade is celebrating something that you oppose. You would have every right to prayerfully protest this parade. As you are prayerfully protesting this parade you notice a person fall down as badly hurt themselves…what do you do with this enemy? What would Christ have you to do? You would, of course, seek a way to help them and to provide for their needs and you would be praying the whole time. See…you already love your enemies.

What of private enemies? the same holds true love them as they give you opportunity.

If you notice in our text we have opposites set at variance, Blessing vs. cursing, Good deed vs. hate, Prayer vs. persecution and despiteful usage. This is again another reminder that we are different from our enemies.

“Therefore thou shalt speak these words unto them; but they will not hearken unto thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. (Jeremiah 7:27)

In our text we find God giving a commission unto a man that was known of Him before he was formed in the belly and was called to God’s ordained purposes at that same time! There is much to be learned from this but we will stick to the purpose of this post.

God commissioned this man, Jeremiah, to be His prophet among the Jewish backsliders. Typically when a man is called to the ministry he comes with great hopes. He longs to be used of God to call many people to God. There is nothing wrong with this hope as election promises the minister that God still has many to save.

That was not the case of Jeremiah. God told Jeremiah whom to go to with His Word. God even gave Jeremiah the Words to speak but with the caveat that none would hearken unto him nor to God’s Word of repentance.

This may surprise many today but the Jeremiah ministry is still in effect. while it is certainly true that God still has many of His chosen to save He also has given the ministry to some not to call to salvation but to stand as a witness against those that will not hearken unto God’s invitation. Do we forget what the Master told His 2 x 2? He told them to kick off the dust from their feet as a witness against those that refuse the invitation of God.

When a man of God is called to a new church they go forth in hope of seeing a flourishing ministry and that is a godly hope. These same godly men are heartbroken and question their calling when the church seems to “flounder” with them at the helm. My heart brakes for their self doubt. I would encourage such beloved brothers in Christ to remember that God’s ways and thoughts are not ours. Could it be that God sent a faithful servant not to see a ministry flourish but to close down a ministry that God desires to be closed down? I would further encourage you with this word, “God always causeth us to triumph in Christ…For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, AND IN THEM THAT PERISH: to the one we are the savour of DEATH UNTO DEATH; and to the other the savour of life unto life. AND WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS?

Paul further more teaches us, that in terms of preaching the Gospel and it effects, that one plants the seed and another will water the seed bit it is God Who gives the increase so he that plants and he that waters are nothing. This is not to discourage the preacher or the witness but it is meant to help us to see things in the right light and to make certain that God get all glory.

We remember hearing a program on a local Christian radio station. They were airing a program called “Unchained” and on this program they would act out the events that led up to a person coming to Christ. We remember this one that dealt with a student that was attending Hyles Anderson Collage.  This student was having a rough time in his “soul winning” attempts so he went to speak with Jack Hyles. Hyles began to tell this young man all the reason he is “FAILING” in his soul winning. This “school” puts out thousands or preachers a year and that is a thousand preacher believing one can fail in their “soul winning.” These thousands of many uncalled preachers then take this heresy to there churches. This is another reason churches are powerless today.

Beloved brethren, one does not fail in one’s ministry if they remain faithful to God, to His Word, to His ways, and to His works. If one remains BIBLICALLY faithful to the flock of God and if one never forgets that it is God’s church and not one’s own.

The Cross of our Lord stands as a witness against unbelievers as much as the power of God unto salvation and so is the preaching and the preacher thereof.

Another word of encouragement from Isaiah, Gods Word will never return onto Him void but it will always accomplish His and it’s purposes and pleasures and this must be true of His called ministers that remain faithful in the face of temptation. While we must always fight off temptations of the flesh this is not the temptation I speak of. I speak of the temptation to be like the world in our attempts to grow the church or to bribe the lost with worldly attractions. Brethren, do you not see that by doing these things we state that the Gospel is not good enough. We also confess our disbelief in His Word when He states that the Lord will add daily to the church such as should be saved.

Several years ago Rick Warren wrote a dangerous book called “The Purpose Driven Church” and it was a best seller. In fact, it got rave reviews in the business sections of the new papers. Brethren this is not good, “woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you.” Where is this man today? He is one of the leading forces behind Chris-lam, a religion that combine Christianity and Islam. The other animal err man behind this abomination is a man that preaches err rather spews Christ has converted to Islam and will return to execute all Christians! Warren is also leader (I won’t call him pastor) of Saddle-back church in California, another mega church.

When God called preachers of small congregations or house/home churches look at men like Warren and Hyles and Hybles, who I believe said he was wrong with his small group movement, and compare themselves it could become easy to doubt one’s own ministry. Beloved,  Paul counsels thee not to compare yourself with others and this would include comparing ministry size with ministry size.  You are where an All knowing, All Wise, and loving God put thee. Be like Paul and thank God Who has counted you faithful putting you in the ministry…for there is no greater honour.

In closing please remember our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for His Name’s sake. Paul charges us in the beginning verse of Hebrews 13 to remember those in bonds and imagine yourselves as being in bonds with them and in their bodies enduring the suffering of Christ.

Numbers 6:24-26

BKL

Paul to Timothy in his second epistle ch.4 v.13; The cloke I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

The more things change in this world the more the important things stay the same for the true man of God. While so many of the churches have changes in some ways for good but in many ways for the bad. In terms of the good, we have more ways to spread the Gospel in a quicker way. Missionaries are able to arrive to the place whereto God has called them, Saints are able to communicate with other saints in a a matter of seconds as can prayer needs. These are just some of the good changes we have experienced in the current age.

In terms of the bad we have seen the growth of the mega church which has ceased to see Christ’s sheep being tended to properly and intimately. The growth of the local church has taken on “job #1” priority to the point that sound doctrine has taken the back seat if it has been forsaken altogether. The sovereignty of God, repentance, faith as a gift from God, the doctrine of perseverance, the doctrine of sin and the law are almost forgotten, the practice of calling people to the faith openly is unheard of, instead they are offered anonymity as they raise their hand while every eye is closed and every head is bowed and no one looking around. Where does one find that in Scripture?

While some changes are good and some changes are bad the heart of the faithful man of God remains unchanged.

If you re-read Paul’s directions to Timothy you find Paul to be a practical man. He first asks Timothy to bring his cloke as the weather would soon be requiring it. Then he further request his books and especially the parchments.

One can ask most faithful men of God what their great needs are for the ministry and they will tell you after their Bible other books. another need they have is the need to teach that which they are learning and this is symbolized by parchment. Jeremiah speaking of this need to teach and to speak for God called it a fire in his bones. The disciples told God’s enemies that they can not help but to speak of what they have seen and heard.

The man of God not only has a need to speak God’s truths to the church on Sundays but to show the love of God always.

With that being said, if you are a preacher, pastor, evangelist, missionary, Sunday school teacher, etc and these need and traits are not true of you there is a big problem. one problem could be you are out of sorts or out of sink with God but you probably already know that. Another problem could be that God never called you to serve Him in this capacity and that is not to say He hasn’t called you to some ministry but not this one. We have seen many serving God in the pulpit and it was painfully obvious they were in the wrong ministry. Spiritual authority, spiritual power, moral authority, preaching authority should all be present as well as liberty in the Word.

A word on books. A Bible teacher should have a desire to read and should have a well rounded library. By well rounded I do not mean limiting your selections to those of like minded thought. While those of like minded thoughts should have a place they must not be the only ones. Those of like minded should be used as fellowship. but those that think differently than you should be present and used to expand your knowledge of other thinking. You may even find that you have been incorrect in some of your beliefs. God knows this is true of the present writer. We can always tell the close minded because they are all the same. They will have opinions on other writers without ever reading these other authors. Any discussion you may have with them is the same discussion you has with others like them. However, to come a cross one who has had their mind opened it is an exciting event and one that will be remembered.

One word in closing re: books. The books written by other men should never take the place of the (66) sixty-six books inspired by the Holy Ghost….never allow this to happen. One other suggestion- limit books to those that have already departed this life. This is not a hard rule but one to keep in mind as there are those living that are (as of right now) safe.

(Numbers 6:23-27)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years and he died.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are [H]is. And, let everyone that nameth the [N]ame of Christ depart from iniquity.”

In our younger years we would plow snow. The job of a snow plower is a 24/7 kind of job.

Likewise, living our faith is 24/7.  Representing God’s Son is a 24/7 calling. We, as Christ-ian believers have been given the honour of standing in for our Lord and this should be taken with the utmost of seriousness. This honour is of a sober and grave matter.

As we are the representative of God’s Son we are always on call…24/7.

As a representative of God’s Son we must be clean, clear, and composed.

Each of us are Ambassadors from God’s Kingdom…our real home.

We will put this into perspective for you.  A person goes into a convenience store and begins to say strange things. The people in the store are recording every word and every action that this person does and this person is wearing a shirt with your face and name on it. The people recording this person has just put the recording on YouTube and within one hour this person is seen by millions of people  and he is wearing your face and name on his shirt.

We, as Christ-ian believers or rather Christ Knowers, can see how our words and actions can misrepresent our Lord. In our text above there is the directive to depart from sin if we are to name Christ as our Lord.

Am I representing my Lord well? This question should keep us on the straight and narrow Way.

“And [H]e saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.”  (Luke 21:1-3)

 

In verse 1 the Lord takes notice of the rich men casting their financial gifts into the treasury. Verse 2 tells us of a poor woman casting in two mites into the treasury. Christ takes this opportunity to teach upon sacrifice. He states in verse 3, “… of a truth, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all…”

Being aware of the fact that “God Knows” is to the believer what the epidural is to a pregnant woman. If the believer knows, by faith…proven faith, that God knows what is transpiring in the believer’s life the believer can rest assured that “All things will work together for my good.”

Another truth that provokes us to do well and to do good works is “God sees.” God sees the little things or what we might consider little things. But if we are to believe the hymn, “Nothing is small if God is in it” then we know that anything done for God is known/seen by God and God is a rewarder of them that seek Him. At the very core of the Christ-ian and his good works is a believer seeking to please God and seeking God, Himself.

Brother Lawrence (author of “Practicing the Presence of God”) said he would not pick up a stick lest it be to God’s glory. See? Nothing is small when God is in it or when it is done for God’s glory and pleasure.

If one surveys the Word of God or our Christ-ian history one will find saints doing great things for God.

For example:

• Abraham offering up his most beloved son Isaac to God per God’s instruction.
• Moses leading God’s people to the promised land.
• Jephthah’s vow and sacrifice
• David’s slaying of the giant Goliath.
• The disciples leaving everything to follow Christ.
• Stephen’s martyrdom
• Paul witnessing to Christ’s resurrection before kings.
• St. Francis takes an oath of poverty
• Luther, Calvin and the reformation
• Athanasius defending the deity of the Lord Jesus.

We could go on and on. Hebrews chapter 11 is all about great things done for God because of faith. While most of us may never accomplish anything like the above list we can still serve God and God still sees and God still knows. In fact, we can do similar exploits in the spiritual.

• God may not ask us to sacrifice our child(ren) to Him but we can certainly dedicate our children to Him. We can ask God to use them to His glory. When doing so ask Him for the grace to get out of the way.
• We may not be a leader of millions but we can be an example of the believer. It has been said that we all are leaders in some way, shape, or form. If this is true and it probably is let us lead as God would have us lead.
• Hopefully none of us, in the heat of the moment, would make a vow to God like the God-honoured man, Jephthah did. But we can and must love God above all others and we can keep our word to God and others.
• We may not slay a real giant but we can, with the Spirit, in the Spirit, and by the Spirit mortify the flesh, the old man, and our sins.
• He may not call us to leave all but we can hold everything very loosely.
• We may or may not die for our Lord but we can die daily to self so that Christ might live in us.
• We may not speak to royalty on a regular basis but we can speak to people about Christ and if they fall in love with Him they shall become royalty.
• We may not take a vow of poverty but we can live our life knowing that, in truth, we have nothing because all belongs to God.
• We may or may not reform the church but we can make changes where we can for the sake of Truth.
• We may not be exiled for our beliefs as Athanasius was more than once but we can stand up… stand up for our Lord Jesus and His Kingdom.

Little is much when God is in it; God knows and God sees.

“Everything is little when compared to God but anything done for God is big.”

“[F]or without [M]e ye can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)

 

It was not too long ago that President Obama made a statement concerning small businesses in America. Basically he told small business owners and entrepreneurs that they did not build their business but the gov’t did, more or less. While it may be true that one cannot build a business without gov’t over reach and over regulation that does not mean that the business owners are not the responsible party. If the small business fails who suffers the business owner or the gov’t? With that last question the answer to the presidents remark is obvious.

However, If the president were speaking to a church full of ministers and he said to them, “You did not build that ministry on your own” he would be absolutely correct.

It is a terrible offense to God when a minister begins to believe his ministry is his and the works of his hand. It is a terribly dangerous thing as well to steal the glory from God. Do not forget King Herod. When he spoke his hearer’s said he spoke like a god. He began to believe his own hype. The Scriptures tell us plainly that worms began to eat him from the inside out and he died.

We would remind you of Ananias and Sapphira of Acts 5. They tried to take glory unto themselves and their “generosity.” The Scriptures tell us equally very clearly the Holy Ghost took them to their eternal destiny.

We also have the Old Testament record of King Saul overstepping into the priestly office and God rejected him right then and there. He lost his kingdom and God’s favour. David having seen this prayed in the Psalms, “Take not [T]hy Spirit from me.”

The point is one must not ever take the glory that belongs to God, solely to God, and to God Alone. This is how one remains humble. One should always remember that we can do nothing without Christ and we can do all things through Christ for He is our Strength.

We are taught in Scripture that anything done that is not of faith is sin so any ministry that is  accomplished in the flesh and not of faith is sinful. Many churches in Christendom are the churches of man or churches of the flesh. One way one can recognize these churches is by  by there large size and a lack of sound Biblical teachings. An example of this is Joel Osteen and most of the ministries on TBN television station. Please note I did not speak against large churches. A large church is acceptable if the Word is preached soundly and there is a proper number of pastors to meet the needs of the people.

The glory of God should be a thought never too far from the ministers mind. When the glory of God becomes secondary we become primary…God forbid. If a minister begins to think or feel that everything depends on him he has entered onto dangerous ground. The minister must always remember that all depends upon God. All depends upon God from his prayer life to his message preparation to the preaching of the message. All decisions should go through God by prayer. The minister should learn to wait upon God for God’s will. It has been said by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones that he would wait upon the Presence of God before he would dare step into the pulpit. He would at times wait up to thirty minutes. Could this be the “secret” to his ministry? We can attest to this as God has kept us waiting upon His blessed Presence. One cannot explain it very well other than saying We simply knew not step into that holy place..the pulpit without the divine Presence and blessing. What is the point of preaching without God’s Presence and blessings anyway? By the way, what could be said about the congregation that is happy to sit and wait thirty minutes for the preacher? They knew something that many do not…God’s Word being preached with power is worth waiting for and the difference between the powerful and powerless is easily recognized.

To God be ALL the Glory.

“…Be slow to speak; slow to wrath.”  (Part of James 1:19)

“…[H]e that believeth shall not make haste.”  (Isaiah 28:16)

“…he that hasteneth with his feet sinneth.”  (Proverbs 19.2)

 

Years ago we learned a phrase that saved me from a lot of accidents. I worked for a landscape company (the real oldest profession) and during the winter time we would prune shrubs and trees (John 15) as well as snow plowing. The owner of the company  would often remind us that “Slow is fast and Fast is slow.” His point was trying to hurry up will cause accidents and taking one’s time will prevent accidents. I knew he was right then and it has been proven over and over again to me.

Scripture supports this as well; see texts above. The common denominator of the three verses above is -Slow down and do not make haste.

Before we go any farther let us define haste or rather note the effects of haste. Making haste is accompanied by stress, fear, doubt, anger, a sense of inferiority, and a sense of a loss of control as well as the horrible sin of pride.

In spiritual terms the above effects equate to:

• Stress = Worry or lack of faith
• Fear = Lack of trust in God, the fear of man, and again, lack of faith or absence of faith.
• Anger = out of control emotions.
• Sense of inferiority = You have forgotten who you are in Christ. You are anything but inferior. You have been made a new creature in Christ.
• Loss of control = ignoring all the blessings and comforts that are available to you through the office of the Holy Spirit. Forsaking God’s invitation, through Christ, to His throne of grace in your time(s) of need.
• Pride = I’m sooo important; if I’m not there the world will end.

 

Let us look at an event in the life of our Lord. In John 11 news concerning Lazarus reaches the Lord Jesus. Lazarus is sick unto death yet He abides two more days in His current location. The disciples speak of the likelihood of Christ’s arrest and subsequent murder. Christ shows little concern for what man may (try to) do to Him. This is a lesson for us all. We are to live under the fear of the Lord but we are never to live in fear of man.

The Lord then tells the disciples plainly that Lazarus is dead. And He intends to raise him to life. The response of Thomas is golden, “Let us also go, that we may die with [H]im.” This is still the attitude of all faithful disciples. Many say they would die for their Lord and the only way to test this short of dying is if one is living faithfully for Him. To live faithfully for Him is to “die to self.” In this exchange between Christ and the disciples He states boldly that He is glad, for their sake’s, that He was not present and at Lazarus’ side as they would be denied the miracle that was to come.

When Christ the Life arrives in Bethany Martha, a sister of Lazarus, says to Christ,  Lord, If  [T]hou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Christ expounds upon the nature of belief and the truth of resurrection. Christ then calls forth Lazarus from death as Lazarus responds as The Lord Jesus is Sovereign over death.

There is much much more in these passages but we believe the point is made and that point is, Slow down and see God work. God puts it this way in the Psalms, “Be still and know that I am God.” In this verse the condition for knowing God to be God one must “Be still.”

Beloved,                                                                                                                                                                 Slow down to see God work; Be still and know God to be God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

 

Death and dying are subjects most like to avoid discussing. In our culture death is something to fight against or to run from. Why do people fear death? People fear death because it is the “great unknown” to them. The Scripture text above tells us that these people have no hope in regards to their death.

Some like to think that at death there is simply a cessation of life which equates to “Lights out…Shows over.”  Others think life is recyclable through reincarnation. These are two extremes.

The Christ-ian however, does not fear death for the Christian shall never die. The Christ-ian’s body may sleep awhile but the Christ-ian’s spirit and soul will be present with God.

This hope is due  to the Lord Jesus and His victory over death. We are told by St. John that we shall live because Christ lives. The Lord Jesus is not a man that died 2000 years ago. The Lord Jesus is the first man to rise from the dead and live eternally. There have been other resurrections recorded in Scripture but the difference between those resurrections and Christ’s resurrection is that they all died again but Christ rose from the dead to die never again. Christ has taken the sting out of death and has taken victory away from the grave.

St. Paul said Christ made an open show of His victory over dread death. Christ has shown us that death has no power over the Christ-ian.

When a Christ-ian’s body sleeps there is no funeral; there is a memorial service and hope is very present. During a memorial service Christ-ians are comforted by the knowledge that their sleeping loved one is present with the Lord and they know they will see their loved one again.

We are aware that unbelievers scoff at this hope. They are like those in the New Testament wanting a sign but in their case they want proof. We know that all the proof in the world would not cause a sinner to repent and believe for that is the office of the Holy Ghost. However, we will site anecdotal proofs.

• Changed lives…huge and dramatic changes.
• Answered prayers
• Jesus Christ, the Man that has been present and prevalent for 2000 years.
• The human default…When one is frightened or saddened ones often says, “Oh! God” or they cry out the Name of God’s Son. This is the human’s default setting. When one faces sudden danger they cry out to God.
• Unfolding prophecies.
• Romans 1:17-19
• The earth is the only planet that can sustain life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The Christ-ian does not fear death for there is no such thing in Christ.

“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God” (Psalm 14:1)

“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” (Colossians 4:14)

“There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;  Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.”

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed…” (2 Timothy 4:10)

 

We do not claim to know Demas’ soul state. We will however, assume he was a believer. Paul saw something in him and Paul was not a man easily deceived. Paul considered him a fellowlabourer and included him in his work and his epistles. But the last we hear of Demas is his forsaking of Paul and his departure to the world.

We observed two Christian (?) ladies whispering to a man about God and about their own love for him. After the ladies left we asked the man if they were speaking to him about God (making sure they weren’t J.W. or Mormon). He answered in the affirmative and then revealed himself to be an atheist. We asked him to see their witness for what it is and it is an act of love and care. He said he did accept it that way…. (And by the way, do not whisper the Gospel. Nothing says, “I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST” like a whispering “sssshhhhoul-winner”.) Speak up! for Christ and His Faith.

We found this man to be likable and intelligent. He told me that he has been hit, scratched, and spit upon by “Christians.” Brethren, these things ought not to be. If we read this man right we believe him to be a militant atheist. Militant atheists are tricky and they are intelligent. To help you understand the militant atheist we can describe him as the anti-soul winner. He will share his beliefs and try to convert people to atheism.

When speaking to an atheist be respectful and do not spit, scratch or hit for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Do not hate them and do not be overly loving and remember that a person cannot become a Christ-ian at will. Remember that for a man to become a Christ-ian God must will it.  God and God Alone can give life to a dead spirit. So while the atheist believes that he or she is rejecting the God Who “is not there” the truth is God may very well have rejected the atheist before the foundation of the world.

We will provide you with a tool that will deepen your understanding of Scripture. When a verse or passage is written in the positive think about the negative and visa versa. For example, In 1 John Ch. 4 John writes, “We love [H]im because [H]e first loved us.” This is a positive statement so let us ponder the negative side……………..Now that we have pondered the negative side let us put it into words, “They do not love God because He does not love them.” He is kind to them. He is merciful to them and as He provided for His own they also benefited.

If one were to read John 10 one would learn that the life long atheist is not among Christ’s sheep nor is God’s love or Word in him. Furthermore one would learn that the life long atheist has no part in the death and resurrection of Christ. In other words The Lord Jesus did not die for him nor did He rise for him. Christ did not propitiate God’s wrath on the atheists behalf.

With all this Biblical truth Christ-ians must cease and desist all outrage toward the atheist and keep your hands, feet, and spittle to thyself.

Onto more important things.  Can a Christ-ian be a practical atheist? Before we answer this question let us try to define the atheist or let us look at some characteristics of the atheist.

• The atheist does not pray.
• The atheist does not read the Bible as a practice and if he or she does read the Bible it is not for the right reasons.
• The atheist does not believe the truths of Scripture and they do not act upon Scripture’s warrant.
• The atheist does not lay his or her affections on things above.
• The atheist does not lay up treasure in Heaven.
• The atheist does not seek to become more and more Christ-like.
• The atheist cannot find comfort in God. He must seeks it elsewhere.
• The atheist must worry about life’s difficulties as he or she sees no help from above.

Christ-ian reader,                                                                                                                                               Do you recognize any of the traits above as your own? Do you worry? Do you seek comfort elsewhere? Is growing more and more Christ-like a priority to you? Where are your affections? Are you laying up treasures in Heaven or is your heart firmly earthbound? Do you act upon Scriptures instructions and directives? How is your prayer life? What book of the Bible are you reading and or studying? Are you reading and studying?

Can a Christ-ian be a practical atheist? You tell me.

“From henceforth let no man trouble me…” (Galatians 6:17a)

The above text is what we all say or at least want to say when we are suffering from the effects of the common cold. We want to be left alone and allowed to endure the cold as we see fit.

This is true of the Christian cold as well. What do we mean by the Christian cold? We simply mean growing cold toward God and our brothers and sisters in Christ. All believers have felt this coldness now and then but probably more so in their earlier Christian life. Hopefully as we grow in Christ we learn how to immunize ourselves from this kind of cold.

However, as it is with the common cold the Christian cold can set in for a longer period of time than is usual.

Unlike the common cold one can do more than treat the symptoms of the Christian cold.

One way of treating the Christian cold is to ask ourselves some probing and possibly some painful questions.

• Ask yourself if there is something between you and God that needs addressing. Ask God to reveal anything you may be overlooking. Does God consider something to be sin that you do not?
• Can you point to any Christ-like qualities in yourself? Can you point to any Christ-LESS qualities in your self? Put them on the scale and weigh them.
• Is there anything inside of you or outside of you that you are embracing rather than rejecting and repenting of?

Another remedy

• Instead of thinking about or talking about God in the nebulous focus in on specific attributes. Attributes like loving kindness, compassion,  and for lack of a better term, Focus in on God’s “softer side.”
• Focus in on Christ and fall in love with Him all over again.

Remedy #3.

• Pray…pray…pray………Pray all day if necessary, forsake your meals (lest you be diabetic) and other activities. Set a side a day or a weekend and give yourself over to prayer.  Pray until your heart is warmed. Pray until you have “prayed through.” Pray with words and without words. If you run out of words then remain silent in the spirit of prayer and wait for the Spirit to bring you words or people or things to pray for. If your mind starts to wander repeat a short verse over and over to call yourself back to prayer or simply repeat God, help me to pray…God, help me to pray…God, help me to pray. This is not repetitive prayer as much as it is a method of training your mind to remain in the spirit of prayer and to fend off other invading thoughts. You can do as Paul taught us… sings Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs during your time of prayer. let others know that you are engaging God in this manner so that they may pray with you and for you as well as not bothering you. You might try different positions like laying prostrate upon your face or on your knees, or walking up and down…stand on your head if it helps. The point is give yourself over to a time of prayer and do whatever it takes to pray through and to hear from God.

 

Get well soon.