"Many of the things our culture values stand in opposition to the way Jesus calls us to live. When Scripture contradicts what our society believes, it's not uncommon for people to belittle our lifestyle as narrow-minded and extreme. In many ways, our society is spiritually rebellious, in that it defies both the laws of God and the laws of man; obedience is considered optional. A large percentage of the population rejects God's viewpoint on intimacy and marriage in order to please self--as a result, immorality is prevalent. But they have been deceived into thinking that they can violate God's laws without any consequences." (In Touch devotional)
The reality Jesus told us is that, "the world hated Him first" before they hated us (John 15:18). I, for one, have been shocked at the accusations that have come against me as a Christian. I have been called every name in the book for my beliefs against abortion and homosexuality and how the church has accepted these sins.
Are we narrow-minded, or are we Christ-minded? Which would you rather be? The world will see us as narrow-minded despite our best efforts to prove them otherwise. The reason for that is their own rejection of God and their selfish desires to feed their fleshly nature. It is not us, but them, who are narrow-minded, slaves to their own greed to not have to answer to anyone but themselves. While we are concerned about their eternity, they only care about pleasing themselves in the now. Nothing and no one else matters. So who is narrow-minded if one is merely concerned about their own desires?
Little do they know, that even in their disbelief, one day they WILL stand before God and need to take responsibility. The people they blame today will not be standing next to them on judgment day. It will only be them and God. Alone. Facing their own selfish desires as they rejected Christ's sacrifice for them, denying they needed anyone or anything to "save" them from themselves. EVERY knee will bow. EVERY tongue will confess. Not just believers of Christ, but those who also refused to believe now. They will know Christ is Lord, and they will bow, one way or another...they will know and confess.
As a Christian, we, too, will stand before God in judgment, the only difference is that we will have a Lawyer defending our case. However, Christ will not defend us if we have denied Him and His teachings. He will not overlook our neglect to share the real Truth of right and wrong with others.
I am often brought back to Ezekiel, when God said to him:
The reality Jesus told us is that, "the world hated Him first" before they hated us (John 15:18). I, for one, have been shocked at the accusations that have come against me as a Christian. I have been called every name in the book for my beliefs against abortion and homosexuality and how the church has accepted these sins.
Are we narrow-minded, or are we Christ-minded? Which would you rather be? The world will see us as narrow-minded despite our best efforts to prove them otherwise. The reason for that is their own rejection of God and their selfish desires to feed their fleshly nature. It is not us, but them, who are narrow-minded, slaves to their own greed to not have to answer to anyone but themselves. While we are concerned about their eternity, they only care about pleasing themselves in the now. Nothing and no one else matters. So who is narrow-minded if one is merely concerned about their own desires?
Little do they know, that even in their disbelief, one day they WILL stand before God and need to take responsibility. The people they blame today will not be standing next to them on judgment day. It will only be them and God. Alone. Facing their own selfish desires as they rejected Christ's sacrifice for them, denying they needed anyone or anything to "save" them from themselves. EVERY knee will bow. EVERY tongue will confess. Not just believers of Christ, but those who also refused to believe now. They will know Christ is Lord, and they will bow, one way or another...they will know and confess.
As a Christian, we, too, will stand before God in judgment, the only difference is that we will have a Lawyer defending our case. However, Christ will not defend us if we have denied Him and His teachings. He will not overlook our neglect to share the real Truth of right and wrong with others.
I am often brought back to Ezekiel, when God said to him:
"Son of man, I'm sending you to the family of Israel, a rebellious nation if there ever was one... They're a hard case, these people to whom I'm sending you - hardened in their sin. Tell them, 'This is the Message of God, the Master.' They are a defiant bunch. Whether or not they listen, at least they'll know that a prophet's been here. But don't be afraid of them, son of man, and don't be afraid of anything they say. Don't be afraid when living among them is like stepping on thorns or finding scorpions in your bed. Don't be afraid of their mean words or their hard looks. They're a bunch of rebels. Your job is to speak to them. Whether they listen is not your concern. They're hardened rebels." (Ezekiel 2:3-7 MSG)But God continues by insisting that Ezekiel:
"Eat this book that I am giving you. Make a full meal of it!" So I ate it. It tasted so good - just like honey. Then he told me, "Son of man, go to the family of Israel and speak my Message." (vv.3:2-4)God's message to us is the same today: Eat God's Word, let it consume you, make it a part of who you are. Teach other's about God's Word even if they refuse to listen. But most importantly don't become rebellious like them; instead, let the Word of God, that lives inside of you, be your Master.
I am reminded of the parable Jesus told about the sower. As obedient followers of Christ we are to share the good news. It is the power of God. In Mark 4 Jesus said the seed goes in the ground and God makes it grow. My job is to sow the seed and trust God to make it grow and produce fruit 30, 60 and even 100 times. I may never even see the fruit.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Todd. I have ministered to so many people in my Christian life and I very rarely see the fruit...until years later I see them in church, or they are truly on a "path" to seeking God. God uses people differently when sharing His Message, but that should never deter us from sharing it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! You made my day! :)
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