ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BUG ME…

 

JUST ONE?
No, there are more. But this story is about just one: and I do have the answer!

CHRISTIANS AND ‘CHRISTIANS’:
Personally, I get very jaded by Christians or ‘Christians’ who give remarkable and/or very biblically correct testimonies at church or in the privacy of their own homes or the homes of others or when they are in a pack with Christians or ‘Christians’… but: put them in a public venue and watch their passions for the Lord greatly dissipate.

 

NOTE: Christians are holy, the ‘Christian’  here stands for false Christians or for those who are probably false.

 

1 John 5:1-4
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

Selah.

Observe their behavior, for example, with that of a great victory, claiming the truth of the Bible when they are in their regular church building, sitting in their favorite pew, and speaking to those they know well. Note their excitement, smiles, and “Amen!” / “Glory to God!”  But: if you happen to come across them at a mall, see them at the grocery store, a school meeting, or even on their front lawn; you may see them shrink back and try to speedily change the subject, or ‘better yet’ yearn to get away from you if you are so bold as to speak the name above all names in public. Gasp!

Can you see them become flustered because they are not on their comfortable turf? Are they just playing Christianese or are they solid?

Funnily enough, I’ve had these kinds of experiences… And more than just a few!

Selah.

 

NOTE: For those of you who refuse to go to church (and there are diverse reasons) I can sympathize. I find it very understandable why some have truly considered online church sermons only. Yes, I understand! And more importantly, God does. But He still wants you and me to go. Careful you go to a church that is part of the Church. Just like a woman’s hair who is not red on its own (like mine) so there are false pastors.

Sad.

Herewith are several bad examples of Christian behavior or false  Christians which I have personally experienced: and it ain’t pretty!

I, myself, gave biblical counsel to a woman whose family member was into a false religion. Now friends, she should have cared and loved this person enough to point out to him the lies he was embracing. She didn’t. And more than that, when I explained to her (and she did ask me!) why it wasn’t Christian you’ll never guess what she did! (Well, maybe you will.) She distanced herself from me! In my full belief this woman was choosing to put this person above the truth of God; probably not wanting to alienate him! After all, some people just won’t take correction!  Jesus did come to bring division…

Then there was another who would shout and sing and clap her hands at the songs; but when the Easter service was over she and her friends came to me and talked about her illness like any sinner would. She’d come to church regularly and I didn’t like her. She seemed to want friendship more than holiness. The conversation she and her friends presented to me were just as if all three of them had never heard a thing about the numerous healing Scriptures.

Selah.

She died. She died not believing the Scriptures of the healing Jesus had provided her. And, she died way too young!

One more:
then there’s the guy who I know that I know lied to get a cheaper price on coffee by ordering two extra senior coffees for his non-senior children. As I challenged him, guess what, he did this lie again at least several more times that I knew of! He serves as an usher at my church! I mark and avoid him!

Selah.

True stories!

Beloved, God knows if you love Him! If you are one who makes people question your passion for Christ… you’d better change your behavior!

Selah.

 

Romans 16:17-20
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

 

Truth seekers and truth finders and keepers:
not all who truly love God and humble themselves to Him in contrition even though they say they do…

I’ve made my point.

 

NOTE: to all of you who get disgusted (like me!) at Christian’s not honestly modeling their Christian claim, take heart! God knows! Christians are to hate sin and wickedness and not join in. Christians are not to make excuses for their deliberate acts of treason against God. We are to be honest, repent when necessary, fight the good fight, work out our salvation with fear and trembling: be holy:

 

Philippians 2:13-18
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.  But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

 

If you are fooling anyone, or everyone, it sure isn’t God!

Selah!

 

 

SCRIPTURES FOR THIS JOY STORY:

 

 

Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 

Revelation 3:14-16
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

 

1 Timothy 4:1-2
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

 

Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 

Psalm 141:5
Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

 

Matthew 10:32-39
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

 

Philippians 2:9-11
For this reason also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.