I came across this tonight, which apparently is one of the things the Qur'an says about Jesus:
"And behold! God will say [i.e. on the Day of Judgment]: 'Oh Jesus, the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say to them anything except what You commanded me to say: 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things'" (5:116-117).
I assume this goes along with the line of thinking that Jesus was a prophet and never claimed to be God. While a read through the New Testament should clearly refute that claim, that's not the point of this post.
Look at what it says. It talks about worshiping Jesus AND Mary. Worshiping Mary is not found anywhere in the pages of the Bible. We are to worship God, and God alone, and Mary is not God. Worshiping Mary is something associated with the Catholic church, which has many practices and teachings that are not found in the pages of scripture.
Whoever wrote that bit in the Qur'an was off target, because it sounds like whoever wrote that bit was looking at the practices of the Catholic church in that area, at that time, and condemning those practices -- rather than looking at what Jesus' own followers from the 1st century wrote down about him and his teachings and what Jesus' own followers practiced!
So now I ask the question, why would God ask Jesus "Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother..."? I ask this, because the question in itself reveals a lack of understanding about what Jesus actually taught while he was on earth, and what disciples of Jesus actually believed and practiced. The only logical conclusion is that God would not ask such a question, which in turn means that text quoting it cannot be from God, but rather from man.
By the grace of God I already knew this, but I pray that God pour out his Spirit on those who do not so that they come to realize who Jesus is and what he did for us on the cross.
Grace and Peace
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Serve God In All Things
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free." (Eph 6:5-9)
You know I've never really thought about these verse as much as I have today after listening to a message on them. It kind of gave me a different perspective on work. You see in my B.C. days I had once made a bit of an idol out of work. Not as much as some, but enough to call it such. That's the kind of thing that happens when one trusts in money and work brings in the money. Praise God for opening my eyes!
But after I came to Christ I had this totally opposite opinion about work. It was this necessary thing I had to do for now to feed my family. Don't get me wrong, I was still very grateful for the very good job I have, but I didn't see the work itself as all that important. I mean, really, what am I doing for the Lord in it? I'm not preaching. I'm not teaching the word of God. I'm not helping the sick, the poor, the lonely, etc. How does what I do serve God?
Then along comes Ephesians and knocks me in the head. Ouch.
But before I go on, one thing must be understood about that word "slaves". Slaves in Biblical times, specifically when Paul penned this letter, were not the same as what we normally think of. When I hear "slave" I think of slavery in the U.S. less than 200 years ago, and some may think of similar slavery in the U.K. Not so back in the day. In fact today's employer-employee relationship is a closer comparison than anything like recent slavery.
So what's Paul saying to us? Quite simply, to do the jobs we've been given and do them well. To be thankful we have them. To respect those above us and below us. And so on. To do everything as if we're serving God, not men.
That comes out of the idea that gets forgotten sometimes -- that all of life is sacred. There is no such thing as this sacred/secular divide where there are the "godly, churchy, things" and the "worldly things". The reformers sought to bring this understanding back to the people. In fact, that is exactly where the work ethic in western culture (that used to exist and is falling off the earth) has its roots. I forgot that sort of thing, and I divided the two in my head. But, no, everything is sacred. Every task we could possibly do, we can do as a service to God.
So know this. You are serving God wherever he placed you. Serving in one capacity is not more important than the other. There are those who are called to serve mainly within the confines of a church building doing "church" things (Bible teaching, preaching, etc), but really most Christians are called to serve outside those walls, even though we don't always want to.
Maybe a lot of us would like to go and hang out at the church or go on missions trips and serve that way, but really can't, but we should realize that we're all still serving. Many are called to be out among unbelievers in an unbelieving world. That's the mission field. That's where the darkness is. That's where the light of the world needs to shine and the salt of the earth needs to preserve. That's the focus we should have and the attitude we should have. I didn't pay much attention to that until today. Shame on me for that and for neglecting my duty far too often.
Now maybe, even knowing this truth, we are discontent with our place. Well, the Lord really may be calling us to move in a different direction. But for those of us that, like me, compartmentalized the sacred and the secular, maybe that discontent feeling is not justified. We must consider prayerfully which is the case. If it is the latter, then we need get back out there with a renewed sense of purpose and the knowledge that the Lord has put us exactly where he wants us to serve him. And the we need to serve him with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength!
Grace and Peace
You know I've never really thought about these verse as much as I have today after listening to a message on them. It kind of gave me a different perspective on work. You see in my B.C. days I had once made a bit of an idol out of work. Not as much as some, but enough to call it such. That's the kind of thing that happens when one trusts in money and work brings in the money. Praise God for opening my eyes!
But after I came to Christ I had this totally opposite opinion about work. It was this necessary thing I had to do for now to feed my family. Don't get me wrong, I was still very grateful for the very good job I have, but I didn't see the work itself as all that important. I mean, really, what am I doing for the Lord in it? I'm not preaching. I'm not teaching the word of God. I'm not helping the sick, the poor, the lonely, etc. How does what I do serve God?
Then along comes Ephesians and knocks me in the head. Ouch.
But before I go on, one thing must be understood about that word "slaves". Slaves in Biblical times, specifically when Paul penned this letter, were not the same as what we normally think of. When I hear "slave" I think of slavery in the U.S. less than 200 years ago, and some may think of similar slavery in the U.K. Not so back in the day. In fact today's employer-employee relationship is a closer comparison than anything like recent slavery.
So what's Paul saying to us? Quite simply, to do the jobs we've been given and do them well. To be thankful we have them. To respect those above us and below us. And so on. To do everything as if we're serving God, not men.
That comes out of the idea that gets forgotten sometimes -- that all of life is sacred. There is no such thing as this sacred/secular divide where there are the "godly, churchy, things" and the "worldly things". The reformers sought to bring this understanding back to the people. In fact, that is exactly where the work ethic in western culture (that used to exist and is falling off the earth) has its roots. I forgot that sort of thing, and I divided the two in my head. But, no, everything is sacred. Every task we could possibly do, we can do as a service to God.
So know this. You are serving God wherever he placed you. Serving in one capacity is not more important than the other. There are those who are called to serve mainly within the confines of a church building doing "church" things (Bible teaching, preaching, etc), but really most Christians are called to serve outside those walls, even though we don't always want to.
Maybe a lot of us would like to go and hang out at the church or go on missions trips and serve that way, but really can't, but we should realize that we're all still serving. Many are called to be out among unbelievers in an unbelieving world. That's the mission field. That's where the darkness is. That's where the light of the world needs to shine and the salt of the earth needs to preserve. That's the focus we should have and the attitude we should have. I didn't pay much attention to that until today. Shame on me for that and for neglecting my duty far too often.
Now maybe, even knowing this truth, we are discontent with our place. Well, the Lord really may be calling us to move in a different direction. But for those of us that, like me, compartmentalized the sacred and the secular, maybe that discontent feeling is not justified. We must consider prayerfully which is the case. If it is the latter, then we need get back out there with a renewed sense of purpose and the knowledge that the Lord has put us exactly where he wants us to serve him. And the we need to serve him with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength!
Grace and Peace
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Two Wrongs
This is dumb:
http://ricksanchez.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/28/threats-to-obama-up-400-and-a-pastor-hates-obama/
From two sides.
The first side is preaching hate from the pulpit and preaching politics from the pulpit. This was more hate than politics, but neither should ever be done. This pastor can hate Obama all he wants, but that is not what he is supposed to do. Yes, Obama is wrong regarding abortion. Very wrong. That's a no-brainer. A lot of other people are wrong too. But that doesn't mean we hate them. Having hate in our hearts is sinful just as murder is sinful. No, we are called to love others even if we hate what they do and what they promote. Our God loves everyone. He doesn't love them because of what they do or who they are, but because of who He is. If His love was contingent on our actions, he wouldn't love anybody.
This pastor tries to use the Bible to defend his hate, but he is wrong. God loved David. Adulterer. Murderer. God loved Matthew. Back-stabbing tax collector. God loved Saul. Christian-killer. Jesus died on the cross to save everyone and even asked for forgiveness for those who nailed him to it. Is that not love? The fact of the matter is that we are all sinners that God still loves. To be saved, we all need to come to repentance and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Obama included.
The second side is what the world does with stupid preaching like this. The media is all to eager to eat it up, blow it up, and make it into an example. We know this. They take anything that is a little off the wall, pump steroids into it, and make it into the entertainment for the day. It doesn't matter if we're talking about the antics of a puppy or the rampage of the latest serial killer. when either hits the news, its entertainment.
The problem here is that stupid news clips are what some unbelievers form their opinions of Christianity with. So when someone goes around shooting his mouth of under the label "Christian", it builds a wall up between the people that eat it up and the people trying to reach them, making this a double-travesty and making it harder to reach them.
So I say we should stand on the third side. The side that says pray for our nation's, and the world's, leaders so that they may come to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ and lead looking through that worldview. The side that says also to pray for preachers so that they may preach the love of God and Christ crucified, rather than hate and politics.
Grace and Peace
http://ricksanchez.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/28/threats-to-obama-up-400-and-a-pastor-hates-obama/
From two sides.
The first side is preaching hate from the pulpit and preaching politics from the pulpit. This was more hate than politics, but neither should ever be done. This pastor can hate Obama all he wants, but that is not what he is supposed to do. Yes, Obama is wrong regarding abortion. Very wrong. That's a no-brainer. A lot of other people are wrong too. But that doesn't mean we hate them. Having hate in our hearts is sinful just as murder is sinful. No, we are called to love others even if we hate what they do and what they promote. Our God loves everyone. He doesn't love them because of what they do or who they are, but because of who He is. If His love was contingent on our actions, he wouldn't love anybody.
This pastor tries to use the Bible to defend his hate, but he is wrong. God loved David. Adulterer. Murderer. God loved Matthew. Back-stabbing tax collector. God loved Saul. Christian-killer. Jesus died on the cross to save everyone and even asked for forgiveness for those who nailed him to it. Is that not love? The fact of the matter is that we are all sinners that God still loves. To be saved, we all need to come to repentance and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Obama included.
The second side is what the world does with stupid preaching like this. The media is all to eager to eat it up, blow it up, and make it into an example. We know this. They take anything that is a little off the wall, pump steroids into it, and make it into the entertainment for the day. It doesn't matter if we're talking about the antics of a puppy or the rampage of the latest serial killer. when either hits the news, its entertainment.
The problem here is that stupid news clips are what some unbelievers form their opinions of Christianity with. So when someone goes around shooting his mouth of under the label "Christian", it builds a wall up between the people that eat it up and the people trying to reach them, making this a double-travesty and making it harder to reach them.
So I say we should stand on the third side. The side that says pray for our nation's, and the world's, leaders so that they may come to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ and lead looking through that worldview. The side that says also to pray for preachers so that they may preach the love of God and Christ crucified, rather than hate and politics.
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Bored?
A wrong question: As a Christian can I do X, Y, and Z? Or how worldly can I be and still be saved?
A right question: How close to Christ can I get while I'm here on the earth?
Many Christians, myself included, seem to often ask the former instead of the latter. How many times do we get sucked into frivolous things that have nothing to do with the kingdom of God? And, even worse, how many times do we get sucked into these things because we're bored? Shame on us if the latter is the case!
Isn't that why the entire entertainment industry exists here in America? Because people with money get bored and have nothing better to do? I think sometimes we get spoiled and are like little children complaining "Mommy, I'm bored, entertain me, entertain me!" When we do that often enough, we start to get addicted to whatever our pleasure is. In my B.C. days I was a prime example of the person who gets addicted to nothing. Praise God for lifting me out of that pit! I pray that he keeps me from crawling back into it.
Now, such addictions are understandable for unbelievers, especially those that don't even believe in God at all. For those that think this life is it, its easy to see how addiction to movies, television shows, sports, music, video games, books, work, or whatever other hobby is out there, happens. The Bible tells us that in the last days people will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Really, for those without God, pleasure becomes their god.
But those addictions do not satisfy. Never have. Never will. And for those in Christ, being driven by such worldly pleasures is not what we are to do. The Bible tells us that while "everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial" and that we should "live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God." Christ didn't die and rise again so we can spend the bulk of our time trying to enjoy life our way rather than God's way.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying never do anything that smells of the world. God gives us all that we have, including time to rest, and that time should bring us joy. The questions therefore become how we use that relaxation time and what it does for us. Do the things we do life us up and refresh us? Do the things we do glorify God? Do the things we do help build up our relationships with others? Or do the things we do just let us zone out, escape, and get another pleasure high? Sometimes the distinction is crystal clear, and sometimes not, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pay attention to it.
So, to reduce my point to a silly little one liner, if you're BORED, go do something for the LORD.
Grace and Peace
A right question: How close to Christ can I get while I'm here on the earth?
Many Christians, myself included, seem to often ask the former instead of the latter. How many times do we get sucked into frivolous things that have nothing to do with the kingdom of God? And, even worse, how many times do we get sucked into these things because we're bored? Shame on us if the latter is the case!
Isn't that why the entire entertainment industry exists here in America? Because people with money get bored and have nothing better to do? I think sometimes we get spoiled and are like little children complaining "Mommy, I'm bored, entertain me, entertain me!" When we do that often enough, we start to get addicted to whatever our pleasure is. In my B.C. days I was a prime example of the person who gets addicted to nothing. Praise God for lifting me out of that pit! I pray that he keeps me from crawling back into it.
Now, such addictions are understandable for unbelievers, especially those that don't even believe in God at all. For those that think this life is it, its easy to see how addiction to movies, television shows, sports, music, video games, books, work, or whatever other hobby is out there, happens. The Bible tells us that in the last days people will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Really, for those without God, pleasure becomes their god.
But those addictions do not satisfy. Never have. Never will. And for those in Christ, being driven by such worldly pleasures is not what we are to do. The Bible tells us that while "everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial" and that we should "live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God." Christ didn't die and rise again so we can spend the bulk of our time trying to enjoy life our way rather than God's way.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying never do anything that smells of the world. God gives us all that we have, including time to rest, and that time should bring us joy. The questions therefore become how we use that relaxation time and what it does for us. Do the things we do life us up and refresh us? Do the things we do glorify God? Do the things we do help build up our relationships with others? Or do the things we do just let us zone out, escape, and get another pleasure high? Sometimes the distinction is crystal clear, and sometimes not, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pay attention to it.
So, to reduce my point to a silly little one liner, if you're BORED, go do something for the LORD.
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
To Divide Or Not To Divide
I'm listening to Brian Broderson go through Ephesians now and thought I'd share these thoughts that were also in one of his talks. Its a good thing now and then to get a healthy reminder that Christ and the cross are central and of vital importance.
So here goes.
There's a lot of division among those who claim to be Christian today. There is a lot of it within the actual body of Christ and even more among all who claim the label of Christian. Division of the latter is completely appropriate, because there are some essentials that are, well, essential. Without them, the label will be just that -- a label. Division over the latter is rather pointless though. Too often folks part ways because of issues that are not key. And when we cannot agree to disagree amiably, it certainly doesn't do much to draw unbelievers in to church buildings.
I'd like to go through some of the essentials versus non-essentials.
The essentials:
1. There is one God.
2. That God exists in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus is God.
4. Jesus died for our sins.
5. Jesus was born of a virgin. If the savior was conceived with a human father and not the Holy Spirit, than Jesus is a sinful person just like us and not the Son of God. He would not be able to save us in that case.
6. Jesus led a sinless life. Same argument.
7. Jesus rose from the dead in bodily form. Without this we have no guarantee that anything Jesus said was true. We have no guarantee that the sacrifice he made to pay the price for our sins was acceptable.
8. We are saved by grace through faith. We can't do anything on our own to get right with God. If any human effort could make us right with God, than Jesus died for nothing.
Some non-essentials:
1. Modes of baptism. Immersion versus sprinkling. Adults versus infants.
2. Ministry models. Bishop rule versus elder rule versus congregational rule.
3. Eschatology (end-times). Amillennial versus post-millennial versus pre-millennial views. Pre-tribulation versus mid-tribulation versus post-tribulation views.
4. Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5. Human freedom versus God's sovereignty.
6. Eternal security.
7. Creation of the Earth (6 literal days versus millions of years).
There are many more non-essentials. I'm sure if one thinks hard there are more essentials, but this is just an example of the kinds of things we should and should not split over. Really I haven't even given much thought to most of those non-essentials, other than the beginning and end of the world. I listed because they are just that, non-essential. Bickering over them distracts from the central message of the cross.
Grace and Peace
So here goes.
There's a lot of division among those who claim to be Christian today. There is a lot of it within the actual body of Christ and even more among all who claim the label of Christian. Division of the latter is completely appropriate, because there are some essentials that are, well, essential. Without them, the label will be just that -- a label. Division over the latter is rather pointless though. Too often folks part ways because of issues that are not key. And when we cannot agree to disagree amiably, it certainly doesn't do much to draw unbelievers in to church buildings.
I'd like to go through some of the essentials versus non-essentials.
The essentials:
1. There is one God.
2. That God exists in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus is God.
4. Jesus died for our sins.
5. Jesus was born of a virgin. If the savior was conceived with a human father and not the Holy Spirit, than Jesus is a sinful person just like us and not the Son of God. He would not be able to save us in that case.
6. Jesus led a sinless life. Same argument.
7. Jesus rose from the dead in bodily form. Without this we have no guarantee that anything Jesus said was true. We have no guarantee that the sacrifice he made to pay the price for our sins was acceptable.
8. We are saved by grace through faith. We can't do anything on our own to get right with God. If any human effort could make us right with God, than Jesus died for nothing.
Some non-essentials:
1. Modes of baptism. Immersion versus sprinkling. Adults versus infants.
2. Ministry models. Bishop rule versus elder rule versus congregational rule.
3. Eschatology (end-times). Amillennial versus post-millennial versus pre-millennial views. Pre-tribulation versus mid-tribulation versus post-tribulation views.
4. Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5. Human freedom versus God's sovereignty.
6. Eternal security.
7. Creation of the Earth (6 literal days versus millions of years).
There are many more non-essentials. I'm sure if one thinks hard there are more essentials, but this is just an example of the kinds of things we should and should not split over. Really I haven't even given much thought to most of those non-essentials, other than the beginning and end of the world. I listed because they are just that, non-essential. Bickering over them distracts from the central message of the cross.
Grace and Peace
Monday, August 31, 2009
Soldier
An Awana missionary read this at a meeting this weekend. I thought it was awesome. It brings to mind Paul's advice to Timothy:
"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." (2Ti 2:3-4)
I am a soldier in the army of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my Code of Conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this army and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in the Sunday school, to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me because I am there.
I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all of my need. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him. I am a soldier in the army, and I’m marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not run around. I am a soldier, marching heaven bound.
Grace and Peace
"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." (2Ti 2:3-4)
I am a soldier in the army of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my Code of Conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this army and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in the Sunday school, to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me because I am there.
I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all of my need. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him. I am a soldier in the army, and I’m marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not run around. I am a soldier, marching heaven bound.
Grace and Peace
God Loves Everybody
The senior pastor at our local church wrote a little "ABC" poem about the different type of people that God loves. It was silly and light and got people engaged. But then he went on to make the real point. God does in fact love everybody, including terrorists and murderers. That bothered some people.
But that's the truth of God's word. When the Bible says "God so loved the world..." that doesn't include only "good" people. If that's who God loved, he wouldn't love anybody, because there's really no such thing. Everybody falls far short of his standard, which is the whole point of why Christ came.
So, even though they make your worst of the worst list, and mine, God loves rapists. God loves child molestors. God loves pornographers. God loves drug dealers. God loves prostitutes and pimps. God loves burglars. God loves corporate thieves. God loves crooked politicians. God loves lawyers who know their client is guiltly but get them off anyway. God loves drunk drivers. God loves arsonists. Get the picture? God loves everybody.
The point was made that he destroyed people in the past for their wickedness, so how could he love them? And I know people have pointed out that if God loves everybody, why would he send anyone to hell?
Well. God is also holy and righteous. He hates all manner of sin, and sin must be dealt with.
Out of his love God will show mercy to the sinner (that's you, me, everybody). He will be patient with the sinner and wait for him to accept the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, who paid for the sins of the world on the cross. But that offer doesn't last forever. Eventually he will give the sinner over fully, and that sin will have to be dealt with another way. The one who doesn't accept Christ and do it God's way is in dire straits at this point. He has to pay for his sin, but can't. There's only one place for him to go. In other words, God doesn't send anyone to hell; they send themselves there by choosing to do things their own way rather than God's way.
Back to all those "really bad people" out there -- they need their sin dealt with the same way the rest of us do, but God really does love them. He loves them as much as he loves you. They'll be punished one day if they don't come to Christ, but that's their choice. However, if they repent and turn to Jesus, they too will be forgiven, just like you were if you already received Christ. In fact, there is NO ONE who can out-sin God's forgiveness. So what are Christians to do? Spread the gospel to everybody, even those no one wants to touch with a ten foot pole. That's a difficult job. Praise God for those who are called to go out there and do that job with all their heart!
Now, if you're one of those still struggling with this notion that God loves everybody, consider Paul, formerly Saul. You know him. That Rabbinic Jew who was bent on getting Christians killed just for believing in Jesus Christ. Had he had his wish, no one would know about what Christ did today. There would be no Christians. Yet God loved HIM. And he used him. He used him to be a missionary like the world has never seen since. He used him to write much of the New Testament. He used him to bring the good news to the gentiles. He did much through Paul. Yet this man wasn't just a regular "bad guy" back in the day -- he was having people MURDERED for believing in JESUS. And God saved him. So why wouldn't he save anyone else?
Jesus is for everybody. If you don't know him, he's for you, too.
Grace and Peace
But that's the truth of God's word. When the Bible says "God so loved the world..." that doesn't include only "good" people. If that's who God loved, he wouldn't love anybody, because there's really no such thing. Everybody falls far short of his standard, which is the whole point of why Christ came.
So, even though they make your worst of the worst list, and mine, God loves rapists. God loves child molestors. God loves pornographers. God loves drug dealers. God loves prostitutes and pimps. God loves burglars. God loves corporate thieves. God loves crooked politicians. God loves lawyers who know their client is guiltly but get them off anyway. God loves drunk drivers. God loves arsonists. Get the picture? God loves everybody.
The point was made that he destroyed people in the past for their wickedness, so how could he love them? And I know people have pointed out that if God loves everybody, why would he send anyone to hell?
Well. God is also holy and righteous. He hates all manner of sin, and sin must be dealt with.
Out of his love God will show mercy to the sinner (that's you, me, everybody). He will be patient with the sinner and wait for him to accept the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, who paid for the sins of the world on the cross. But that offer doesn't last forever. Eventually he will give the sinner over fully, and that sin will have to be dealt with another way. The one who doesn't accept Christ and do it God's way is in dire straits at this point. He has to pay for his sin, but can't. There's only one place for him to go. In other words, God doesn't send anyone to hell; they send themselves there by choosing to do things their own way rather than God's way.
Back to all those "really bad people" out there -- they need their sin dealt with the same way the rest of us do, but God really does love them. He loves them as much as he loves you. They'll be punished one day if they don't come to Christ, but that's their choice. However, if they repent and turn to Jesus, they too will be forgiven, just like you were if you already received Christ. In fact, there is NO ONE who can out-sin God's forgiveness. So what are Christians to do? Spread the gospel to everybody, even those no one wants to touch with a ten foot pole. That's a difficult job. Praise God for those who are called to go out there and do that job with all their heart!
Now, if you're one of those still struggling with this notion that God loves everybody, consider Paul, formerly Saul. You know him. That Rabbinic Jew who was bent on getting Christians killed just for believing in Jesus Christ. Had he had his wish, no one would know about what Christ did today. There would be no Christians. Yet God loved HIM. And he used him. He used him to be a missionary like the world has never seen since. He used him to write much of the New Testament. He used him to bring the good news to the gentiles. He did much through Paul. Yet this man wasn't just a regular "bad guy" back in the day -- he was having people MURDERED for believing in JESUS. And God saved him. So why wouldn't he save anyone else?
Jesus is for everybody. If you don't know him, he's for you, too.
Grace and Peace
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