Hate or Love?

It is past-time for those who call themselves "Christians".  Jesus warned those dabbled in following Him of the cost---  

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62 ESV)

He also made it clear that those that did follow would be hated for His name's sake. 

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians a couple of important truths we will need to remember:

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ESV)

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (1 Corinthians 2:14, 15 ESV)

What we see in this is that the truth if the Word of God, and in particular- the Gospel- will be opposed by those who "are perishing", that us -those who are who are spiritually lost.  

Further, if the Word of God is objectionable (this includes the inconvenient parts that some want to conveniently ignore or brush away with moral relativism), it is because you are missing the Holy Spirit who is promised to all born-again believers/disciples/followers of Christ.  Don't let the word of discouragement or name calling distract you from the truth - that sharing the Truth of God's Word, warning others of the destruction they are barreling towards - is a sincere act of love, not hate!

We cannot take the opposition (or flat-out hate from those accusing us of hate) personally, because it is God and His Word they hate and reject. It's then we must discern if we are casting "pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6).  At that point, all that's left is to pray for them. But never give up standing for the truth!

Either way - STAND.  Are you ashamed of the Gospel?  Acts 20:27 - don't shrink from proclaiming the whole counsel of God!

If the local church you are connected to compromises the Word of God - "shrinking" from the inconvenient parts of the Word, and they will not repent - it is time to find a church that refuses to compromise.

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.  Joshua 24:15

"Can a Christian ________________?"

It seems the longer I am working in ministry, the more I hear in this world the question "can a Christian_____________ (fill in the blank)?  This question often has the blank filled with such thoughts or positions as "be Pro-Choice", "support so-called homosexual marriage", or the question includes specific activities that one might want to participate in.

For a long time, I took these questions as an open door to question a person's salvation (or the authenticity of their profession)!  But I have grown to understand that even born-again Christians can take a position, or engage in activities that fly in the face of God's Word, and do it without even recognizing the err of their ways.  How?  It goes back to a combination of issues, rooted in a few basic and fundamental elements:

Preaching of the Word (2 Timothy 4:2):  Many professed Christians, as sincere as their profession may have been, do not sit under God-fearing, God-glorifying, God's Word-based preaching.  Far too many pulpits across this nation have been compromised by the disease called "political correctness", where moral relativism often overrides the Bible.  Where "church growth" is measured only in numbers and totally offerings made, not in the spiritual growth and maturity of her members.

How can we expect a new or spiritually immature Christian to grasp the truth, if the truth is regularly compromised, or sugar-coated?  The answer should be glaringly obvious...

Lack of Intentional Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2):  Hand-in-hand is Christ's commission to His church - and contrary to what some believe and practice today - was NOT to go grow mega-churches with lots of people and multi-million dollar budgets!  His commission to the church was to go make disciples.  Making disciples is not a magic formula, or the latest "program".  Jesus set the example - it is by living life, together in relationship, talking about God's Word, and living God's Word - together.

It means allowing those less spiritually mature to actually SEE you making decisions, being willing to discuss when you have made bad choices or have recognized your errors.  It means being true to the Bible in our words and deeds.  It means constantly seeking to become more like Christ, and to put to use the transplanted heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26) God has promised to His people.

It means showing the discernment of the Spirit (Matthew 7:15-20, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 1 John 4:1-3).  In that spiritual growth and discernment, you begin to recognize what is right and what is wrong, according to God's Word, even when the specific named position or activity is not explicitly listed in the "dos and don'ts" of the Bible.

A General neglect of the Bible (Matthew 4:4, Jeremiah 15:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17): God's Word is "sufficient", according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  It is complete, and can equip, teach, correct, and help us to become more righteous.  Jeremiah referred to "drinking" the Word of God, which brought him joy because it opened his eyes to the truth that he belonged to God.  Jesus in Matthew 4:4 compared the Word of God to nourishment that sustains life.

In general, Christians do not spend the time in reading and praying through the Bible.  We can make many excuses, but the fact of the matter is - neglect of God's Word is due to our priorities being not focused on God.  Even many preachers and pastors will secretly admit that they don't spend as much time in the Word as they should or would like!  But for many, the lack of emersion in the Bible leads to thinking and actions being void of God's point of view.

I have often said (and heard said) that if a professed Christian has to ask if he or she can do something as a Christian, the answer is probably "you shouldn't"!  The fact that you have to ask in the first place is a sign that the spirit is already telling you "no", but you are trying to find a way around it.

As to positions on moral issues (abortion, homosexuality/"homosexual marriage", etc.), again, to you truly believe the Bible?  Do you take it for what it says (the full council of scripture), or do you prefer to pick-and-choose, and interpret according to your emotions and fleshly desires?

When we spend time in God's Word and prayer, the Lord will apply and engrave it in our hearts.  We are better equipped to recognize (discern) the truth, and as we grow in Christian Grace, we no longer are deceived when scripture is taken out of context, misquoted, or completely abused.

Words have meanings.  Words in context have much more meaning.  Are you willing to set aside your own desires of the flesh, your own emotions, and accept God's Word?  If you pick and choose, you are really saying that the Bible is not trustworthy.  If that is your belief - then maybe its time to ask "am I a Christian"?