Originally, I just wanted to title this "courage", but I have a lot to say about fear and Judgement. I say Allelujah Amen; that our God is Mighty, and of his Word. We have to - as Christians - do things sometimes that are unpleasant. I have thought about this a lot lately, since a subject of a lost friend has come up more than once lately. It's been growing in my heart to say something, because the Love of God is not all sugar. We are Salt and Light. Salt is not just a flavor - it's an irritant. Light is not just so we may see, but it exposes what is hidden in the dark. In the end times Sin will be out in the open like never before. We give it little thought really; Sin; maybe because some of us grew up with Christ; or because we've just become used to the Hollywood parade of queers; and 'irreverent' humor is 'cute'. I don't think God thinks that way...
Courage; something you come by easily in video games, something that's easy to talk about; but something many find difficult to apply. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about courage and fear.
Those who are not of Christ put on a mask of Bravery, but subjects like Death and Suicide, they would rather avoid. They do not fear death sometimes, because they do everything they can to not think about it. Death is something, as you come to know it will take you some day; can scare you. It can change your priorities and lifestyle; but what comes next is what is of true concern.
I don't worry about "leaving my mark" on the world, because I too, will return to the dust I came from. I don't have to do anything but what the Lord now puts on my heart. I felt I needed to say something, so I'm coming foreward with this. Courage.
Courage is not just breaking up a fight between two people. It's not just a willingness to put onesself in harm's way. Courage is not playing Chicken in traffic, it is much more. For the saved, we love God and he Loves Us. He loved us first after all. But with that, there is always repentance first... Conviction of sin - Repentance. I am a sinner - clense me.
Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
But where does repentance come from? Hearing the Word. The Word of God. The Word which we know in the Bible. I know we hear a lot about God's love and that is wonderful - but he is an Awesome God - Awe... He is horrendously powerful, and eternally Just and Righteous. We have no hope, on our own of measuring up to his standards. What has this got to do with courage? I'm getting to that. It starts with fear.
Leviticus 25:17 Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God:for I am the LORD your God.
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
I know Jesus Loves me; for the Bible tells me so. But the Bible also warns of his Wrath to those who will be destroyed.
2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Well that's just it. We Christians know the terror of the Lord and his judgement; but all too often I hear people preach "God Loves you just the way you are!" Well; that is true. Jesus is - come as you are - but not stay as you are! The measure is Perfection; which we horrendously fail at.
Everybody knows John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
But follow that up now
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Beautiful but keep going...
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Where is the Preacher sayin' you ought to take the Bible Seriously. Who out there is man enough to say - You Sodomite (homosexual), do you know you are sinning Against God Almighty who verily will send your very soul into Hell Lest ye repent? You Adulterer - Do you not know what you do is wicked?
We all agree - even secularists agree in common morality - Don't kill steal or lie. Good Night that's only common sense!
Sin is ugly. Sin is bad. Sin is Wicked and Slimy and uncomfortable. And if you start talking about it - you might not have the seats in Church filled. You might not have that extra dentist or lawyer sitting on the bench bulking up the collection plate with tithings. You might offend some people.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
If you start talking about Modest Clothes, Scriptural Hymns containing doctorine instead of generic Lord Lords, homosexuality, abortion, promiscuity, premarital sex, adultry, fornication, perverse entertainment, pornography, lewd language, taking the Lord's name in vain, the validity and voracity of the Bible, the Fear of the Lord, the Hellfire and Judgement to come, literal Genesis...
No, maybe you won't have as many people in Church, but boy you got the guts to stand on what you believe. You pinpoint specifics, you get down to Doctorine. I know Jesus Loves me; now What am I gonna' Do for Jesus? How about what he said? Faith and doing are combined... a-moral people are loud and adamant that they be heard; shouldn't we shout back at them The Lord God has the final Say? Faith is power...
Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
the Baal Worshippers were on fire. They still are. You want to talk about being on fire for the Lord - you ought consider goin' out there and being outspoken about your faith and Stand on your Principals, not premesis!
I thank my Lord that I go to a church where my Pastor isn't afraid to offend people. He's concerned about offending the Lord. Jesus is not just "All right" with me! I gotte be right by HIM.
Amen.
~ My PastorMy first congregation was my sister's stuffed animals. Yeah, that's right - took them all to the basement and lined 'em up. Hallelujah, 3 saved and 2 baptised. Amen... Sometimes I think I'm still preachin' to the stuffed animals; not much's changed.
God Bless you all - I am not saying noone does these things - but there are those called of God who just - don't want to cause trouble so they stay quiet; things get worse; and then they wind up wishing they'd listened to the Lord then when he said "speak up son; can't hear you."
