I am a straightforward individual and as such, I choose to write, as I would speak, to an individual or a group. As the Bible is, straight and to the truth, there is a distinct Black Line with Jesus Christ on one side and Satan on the other side. It is then up to YOU, to decide which side you would wish to be on.
I am ex-Military and I was an NCO, which probably shows in just about everything I do and say. I do not cut the “mustard” in any manner, other than right down the middle. I believe in being truthful, I will NOT lie, cheat or steal, for ANY reason! I am a “stand-up” kind of guy, as the saying goes. The easiest way to loose your freedom is for “good men to do nothing!” My wife calls me the “First Shirt,” now and then and I am not ashamed of that. As we used to say overseas, “I will NOT give up, give in, or go away!” This stands for my family, my friends, but more than anything else, MY LORD!
The reason I am stating this, is a few have written and said, “Well, you shouldn’t be talking like you do, it can be termed offensive!” My reaction to this is to explain that I in no way wish to be offensive to anyone, but if the Truth stings a little, then maybe it’s for a good reason. Far too many people don’t like it when their “delicate sensibilities” are messed with, they don’t like it when SIN is brought up. They don’t like it when the Holy Spirit calls them on the rug, because they will be convicted of their SIN. So in essence, they are far too delicate to deal with someone who calls the Truth, exactly what it is: The Truth and so it goes with SIN.
To be honest, I can not find a single instance where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was anything but accepting of the cross at Calvary, which was HIS reason for being here in the first place. Our LORD and Savior took the beatings and whippings and HIS death on the cross for you and me, when you and I already know…we should have been there instead! It has always been our SIN, our failings, our mismanagement of everything, that placed Jesus Christ on that cross, so get over yourselves and thank HIM for HIS willing death for you and me!
It must be understood, that we are NOT to be “tolerant” of any SIN, I don’t care what it is. It must also be understood that we must love those who are lost, they do not understand that they are lost or that they are doing anything wrong in the first place. Such is the state of the Lost, they simply do not know or understand that it is their SIN that stands between them and a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the exact spot we must work on, not name calling and definitely NOT turning our attention from them, wherever we may come across them. Far too many Christians, nowadays, are doing those exact things, even in the churches, of all places.
What may be even worse is they are being led by example, by the pastors! I read a story of a pastor that was going to a new church and he decided to see how the congregation really was. He decided to dress up as a bum from the streets. Unfortunately no one wanted to welcome this “bum” even when he asked some for their pocket change so he could get some food to eat. He saw how most would not have anything to do with him and he was told that he would have to sit in the back of the church. Then the Elders of the church asked for the new pastor to rise and come forward. Instead he watched the congregation and waited a moment or two. Then he rose to his feet and walked forward to the pulpit. As he looked out across the congregation, most had their heads down; they had been caught.
How sad and loathsome they must have felt, but the pastor got his message across to all. Everyone must be accepted and accepted wholeheartedly! No one is too lowly or underdressed, or too hungry and poor, to be left out of any congregation that truly follows Jesus Christ. Time after time, Jesus Christ sought these out and fed them, healed them and from the depths of HIS heart, HE loved them. How can we, the followers of Jesus Christ be any different? There is absolutely NO acceptable excuse for anyone to be this way, to anyone that is so in need!
Matthew 25.34-40: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
I believe this passage of Scripture make the obvious, easy to see and shows how some of us have gone the other way. This is important! The opposite is true enough as well and must be considered. It becomes apparent to all, whom then, is following the Lord and whom is not.
Matthew 25.41-46: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
As I have said before, the Bible is straightforward and truthful to the end, there are no two ways about it! The biggest problem with Christians, is that they choose NOT to read their Bibles and in failing to do so, they fall into the same traps as many others. We MUST ensure that we do not commit these same SINS, we must be vigilant and careful, always reassessing our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we start every day with devotions and prayer, we start listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say and then we don’t end up making these mistakes. I don’t know about you, but when I meet my Lord and Savior for the first time, I hope and pray, that he welcomes me home with a smile:
Matthew 25.23: “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”