OFFENDED BY CHRISTIANITY?

Do you find religion, in general, and Christianity specifically, offensive? Perhaps you dislike Christians and Christianity because of something that happened to you, or because of something you perceive  or maybe because of something you saw or heard about that was distasteful, hateful, hypocritical or incongruous with your personal belief system (if you say you have one), or perhaps you see Christianity as being out of step with your personal worldview? (Here is a short view related to these matters, presented by Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, author and teacher.)

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093882995851294

Now, just for your information – and hopefully we might find some common ground with any potential doubters or antagonists – please be aware that even various Christians and Christian denominations don’t always agree. Many denominations are even antagonistic toward one another. For example, there are over 200 Christian denominations in America alone, and over 33,000 various denominations and cults identifying with or calling themselves Christian. So, you are not alone if you have been offended, are an antagonist, or just don’t believe in any one Protestant Christianity.

Scholastically, I am probably one of the least equipped to tackle this matter but that might just be the necessary strength for me to tackle this subject. (What I mean is that I don’t have an excess of “P.h.D. trees” in my forest. In fact, I don’t have any of those “trees”).

So much of Christianity that is taught nowadays, is either (1), way too complicated to understand, to believe, to accept and to employ, or (2), it is way too easy to be effective in any possible and lasting life change.

If you had been with Jesus, you would have seen that Christianity was both “taught” and “caught”. What I mean is, He first, would say the Words (i.e., He taught and explained what would become known as Christianity – named after Him, the Christ, of course); Secondly, He showed the Works. (I.e., He led by example, doing what He taught while His followers watched and learned what His Words meant through demonstration); then, He sent the workers, (His disciples), to do the same as He was doing, and instructed them to teach others as they had learned.

And by the way, following Jesus is NOT complicated but it certainly is NOT easy – it is, in fact, hard. And it is hard because it produces a radical transformation and a complete renovation of one’s life. A transformation from what was wrong in your life mentally, emotionally, and physically, to something amazing, and so satisfying and rewarding that you have to experience it to believe it. Let me explain.

I will skip the ‘really hard theology’ and begin ”just where you are”. Regardless of how you believe you came into being, (besides the obvious physical means), we both can agree, “here you are”. And regardless of what you believe will happen to you at the end of your life, that being your physical death, we can both agree that it is coming, one day. (So, we at least can have these things in common).

In the meantime, “here you are”. The Bible says, (I.e., God says), that there are two main things about your existence, or two ways to live your life and two destinations after your life.

NOW,

(There is One Way). You can live your life “saved by God”, or

(Then there is the Other Way). You can live your life according to your own opinions, likes, and dislikes. You get to decide the course and guess at the outcome.

AFTER,

(There is One Way). You are destined for eternity with God in heaven” after this life, or you spend eternity in darkness, terror, and in a lake of fire.

(Then there is the Other Way). You decay into nothingness.

((Oh, and by the way, scientists tell us that matter never disappears. It can and does, however, change form. And that includes the atoms and matter of which you are made. So, the idea that when you die, it’s over, is just wrong. The soul or spirit, the energy of your existence continues forever! FOREVER! Where is goes and what happens is what is important. And no matter what you think or wish would happen, science and God’s Word agree on this – you never end.))

Some people believe that how you live your life now decides where you go after you die – heaven or hell.

Whereas some other people believe that you live now, then you die, and that’s the end. There is nothing more.

Most all believe that the quality of life you have now, to some degree or another, is dependent on how you think and conduct your life now. This is true to a large extent, but those who believe this way should be confounded by the infinite scenarios that can take place for that determination. Then there are those who adhere doggedly to “life is short, live it up and damned with the consequence”, to which many say that “stupid is as stupid does”.

Finally there is “THE WAY”. I am talking about the Christian way of living now and what comes after this life; that is by being “Saved”. Yes, “saved”. This choice tells us that we live an ordered life now, according to the Bible and will be saved from perishing (decaying or being destroyed) after this life. And because God has offered such an unimaginable gift simply because you choose to believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus. Sounds easy, right? But it is not easy. Allow me to explain.

I will start with the easy-to-follow version, first.

What it means to be Saved. (I am going into the literal meaning of this idea or concept of being Saved, according to the Bible. The way I will explain this, which comes from the language in which it was written, is usually skipped over because it just sounds and seems too good to be true. So, most Bible teachers and pastors just skip the explanation and the promises and give an abbreviated and reconstructed version that has little power to effect the change in your life because it omits any motivation).

“To be saved – SOZO – in the Bible, means to be rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety“. To deliver or protect— (From Strong’s Bible Concordance).

SAVED:  To be made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole (complete with purpose), NOW and for all of eternity,

You can be made safe, made healthy, and made whole in your body. In your mind. In your soul and spirit.

You can be made safe, made healthy, made whole in your home. With your family, your children, your spouse and relatives. In your work. With your friends. In every aspect of your life.

(This is not a magic formula or a spell. It is the Word of God at work in you, by way of your faithful, submissive obedience in following Jesus.)

This is the Good News that God gave John to proclaim.

This is the Good News and the reason God sent us His Son. Jesus.

This is the Good News that Jesus proclaims to the world, then and now.

And this is the reason Jesus sends His followers, His disciples, into the world – to tell the world about this Good News. In its simplest terms, this is the outcome of believing in Jesus, trusting Him and following Him.

Honestly, now. Who would not want these things in their life? You can ask millions who have received this GIFT, or you can just do it for yourself!

GOING DEEPER

Maybe you are still asking “how does this come about? Or, how can this be true?” If you really want to know, then hang on, because this may get a little strange at first. But considering all we now know about the brain, the mind, the psyche, how they interact, and the power of belief and faith, I hope you get this: You are saved by God’s Grace, this is His unearned and unmerited favor toward you, through your faith in Jesus and by your faithful submission to Him. (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

The book of Matthew 4:17 explains it this way: “Jesus began to preach and say”.

The words for ‘preach and say’, as used here, come from the Greek language, are ‘kerusso’. This is NOT a casual statement nor is it just a narration. It is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has already been done, first in the Spiritual realm and then is to be manifest in the natural.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is a PROPHETIC command. Kerusso! Jesus is saying that you have to do this first, then the rest can come about.

Next, let’s notice that Jesus says “Repent”. What is often overlooked but should be  glaringly obvious is that Jesus does not tell us WHAT to repent from. We typically assume we are to repent of our sins. But that is not what He actually says. He simply says, “Repent”.

But REPENT from what?

“Repent, (‘metanoeo’), from the Greek, means to change one’s mind – to change one’s mind for the better. (And, here is the task that makes this so difficult for most people!)

(And if it is so, that we are just to REPENT of our sins, it is just as important to know that the word Sin, from the Greek language is the  word ‘hamartia’ – literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of  all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all of eternity.)

It is commonly accepted that Jesus meant that we are to heartily amend, with abhorrence of our past sins. And it can mean that and it DOES mean that. BUT it MEANS SO MUCH MORE.

When Jesus says to REPENT, the overall meaning, the connotation of this word it to CHANGE AND CONDITION YOUR MIND TO THINK LIKE JESUS, TO SEE THINGS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AND TO RESPOND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND DEATH AS JESUS DOES.

 This requires a radical redefining of our understanding. It demands that we turn our minds to what Jesus says and what He means – even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Jesus is saying that REPENTANCE is a radical reformation and shift in our paradigms. It is a change in our attitudes, and of our mindset, our will and emotions from how we naturally see things to HOW JESUS SEES THINGS. It is a change in all the choices we make in life so that WE CAN SEE THEM AS JESUS SEES THEM.

 Jesus is saying we must change how see or view and deal with our relationships with others, our families, marriage, and even our disputes. How we react to being wronged, how we give of ourselves, of our time of our resources. How we view work, money, wealth, and anxiety. How we view our community, our country and the world and how we view the lost – from how we see them – to HOW HE SEES THEM. We must see the world around us and what Jesus is commanding of us AS HE SEES it.  THAT IS TRUE AND COMPLETE REPENTANCE.

 We begin to see that the Words of Jesus are life giving words. They protect us, they guide and direct us. They strengthen us and provide us with purpose and hope.

And finally, in this verse, Jesus says, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand (The words ” the Kingdom of Heaven” are so descriptive that you must take the definition of each word and consider their impact and importance. 

The Kingdom of God is now at hand, describes the long awaited arrival of the Messiah who is now to establish His Kingdom on earth. As the “Lord’s Prayer” even says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.  A Kingdom of forgiveness, of grace, mercy, justice and eternal salvation.  A Kingdom conquering death, disease, sin and darkness.

His Kingdom is a royal power, a kingship, dominion, rule and the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.” This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

And finally, the phrase, the kingdom is now “At hand.” (“At hand” comes from a Greek word with a meaning like the ‘crook of your arm’ and with the action like a mounting wave which has the power to knock you off your feet and roll you over and over; indicating a distance which is as close as your hand is to your wrist, AND as Luke 17:21 puts it, “the kingdom of God is now within you”. Romans 10:8 ALSO tells us, that “THE WORD (OF GOD) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”.

Jesus is saying, we are to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”.

Now, FINALLY – Here is The Mystery: 

Believe it or not, and as strange as all this may seem, the One who spoke these prophetic words, possesses the power which is able to transform your life, so radically, so completely, so thoroughly, that those who knew you beforehand, would hardly recognize you afterwards.  In fact, if and when you embrace and absorbed His Words into your heart, mind and soul as His devoted follower you would hardly be able to recognize yourself when the process is complete.

You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”

You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different. Made new. Reborn. A new creation.

This can be most easily accepted by a new believer, as the rest of us may think, “yes, I have already done this”. But when Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, said, “you must be born again”, He spoke those words in the Aorist tense which means this is a continuing action. The Aorist tense has no regard for the past, present or the future. In this tense they are one-in-the-same. In other words, “In Christ Jesus, you are born anew, each and every day”. He is not saying you must be saved over and over. He is saying our repentance and rebirth in Him is made new and refreshed each and every day. This sanctifying process of perfecting us into the image and likeness of Jesus continues until we are, one day, home with Him, at last!

Please understand that what I am about to say, does not negate the trials, tribulations and troubles we will face in this life. They are part of our being sanctified. Nonetheless, this intensely real power to which I am referring, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and in the twinkling of an eye, as Paul said, IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEMS YOU FACE IN LIFE, He can begin to solve those problems, smooth out the difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity – IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HIS PLAN AND PURPOSES, AND ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO ENDURE THIS PROCESS.

Does this mean your will always be physically well or mentally strong or rich by the worlds standards or famous? No. No. A thousand times no.
But it does mean that you can find purpose and meaning and usefulness in even the worst of life’s circumstances.

He can free you to go and shape your life as God would have it – a life full with purpose and of promises met.

He can throw open the MANY prison doors that hold you captive, and liberate you.

He is the healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

He can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

He can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in ordinary books.

He can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

He can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

He can provide you the type of  prosperity that means freedom.  Not as the world knows prosperity.  But the type of prosperity that means true Freedom.  Free to be and to do and to go as God has called you to be and to do.

This Power of God can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

But Jesus said, “You must first repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

So, if your life is lacking the continuous flow of the fruit of the Spirit, the love, the joy, the peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Now, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If your life is missing out on the works that Jesus did, and even greater works of teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom which can heal all kinds of sickness and diseases, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you are living in loneliness, fear, doubt lack and want, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you and your behaviors are “friendly” with the world but at odds with the Words and Teachings of Jesus, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

You know, from the day we are born until the day we die, the twenty-third  Psalm tells us that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death in this lifetime. And that God has set at table  before us in the presence of your enemies, and that He has anointed our heads with His Oil and that our cup overflows. And His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. And our dwelling place will be in the house of the Lord, forever.

The day of our salvation is now at hand. You can experience the richness of being saved. You can feast at the table He has set before you, even in the presence of your enemies of lack, want, sickness, poverty, disease, loneliness and the like. You no longer need to miss the mark or to be left out of the things He has prepared for your life to Bless you and to prosper your soul.

You are made safe, and rescued from eternal harm. You will have found a rich and fulfilling purpose in and for your life, now. You can be made secure in all your relationships and in all the matters of your life. You can be assured of an eternal life with Him. THIS IS THE TABLE HE HAS SET BEFORE YOU.

For the kingdom of heaven is now at hand!

((Now, Father, we ask that you bless our heart and minds by having heard Your Word and ask You, Holy Spirit, to plant the seeds of Your Word deep into the soil of our hearts and minds that they will take root and produce your fruit in our lives, some thirty, some sixty and some one hundred fold, and that we will continue to be transformed evermore into the image and likeness of your Son, and our Lord, Jesus. Amen.))

Too much? Okay then. Just take it by faith, believe, trust and obey Him – if you can.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: (Then there is the more ‘complicated version’ which tells about how God has designed a system of right and wrong, and the treatment of good and evil, that punishes all sin – rebellion toward God and His Ways – with both a physical and a spiritual death which leads first to an earthly grave and then to an eternity in hell.

(On the other hand, and to make it even more complicated, because God is, by nature, merciful, forgiving and gracious, He will forgive all your sins and will allow His own Son to die a physical and a spiritual death in your place as punishment for all your sins – that is, if you will believe in Him, (Jesus), and will follow His example in life – you will be allowed to live eternally with God in heaven, just as if you had always believed in Him and had never sinned. I know, it doesn’t make much human sense, does it? I told you it was complicated, but that’s the deal, or the Covenant as God calls it. (There is much more to the legal side of all this, but let’s skip the lessons on Jewish religious thought and belief systems). Oh, and one other thing – God allowed Jesus to be literally killed at the hands of the ruling religious elite at or around A.D. 30, and then as crazy as it may sound to some, He rescued His Son in the middle of all this. Yep. God raised (Jesus from the dead and took Him to heaven ‘as the first born of many’ sons. So, if you believe in Him and follow Him, you too will be rescued and raised from the dead to as one of “the many sons – and daughters” to follow after Jesus into the heavenly home He has already prepared for you!)

Smug?

We have all heard someone say things like, “This is how we do it here.”

Or, “What sets us apart from everyone else is our vision, which is                        ”.

Or, “What we believe you and everyone else here should be doing is                   ”.

“What I think you should be is                                              ”.

(I, I, I, Me, me, me, mine, mine, mine.)

Smug: Having excessive pride in oneself, a high estimation of one’s own ideas or one’s achievements.

Self-satisfied, complacent, self-congratulatory, more or less superior, pleased with oneself, self-approving, well pleased, proud of oneself, somewhat better than others, self-centered

Smug is similar to the word proud,

1) showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent

2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty.

Synonyms for the word “proud” found in the bible: ἀλαζών is properly a boaster, who tells great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with one’s fellow men, not one which exists simply within the heart.

This describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others.

You see, smugness is the conviction that you are, at least, just a little bit better than other people.

This would be arrogance if it wasn’t also mixed with a pinch of humility.

Smug people know they’re better, and the fact that they’re also humble about it makes them even better still.

No wonder they’ve got that annoying smile.

Ughhhh. I have to admit, I have found myself exhibiting some of these things at times. God, please help me.

Read what Proverbs 6:16-17 says about smugness or PRIDE:

There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue.

(yes, there are five more, but we can stop here for now)

So, is there a way I tell if I am being smug?

Here are a few things I might need to watch for.

1. If I think my answer is the only correct answer, I might be smug.

2. If other people annoy me for no reason other than the fact they are there, I might be smug.

3. If I am always, even a little, critical of the places I go and the people I encounter (or see), I might be smug.

4. If I struggle with even the meaning of humility, I might have a problem with being smug.

5. If I really dislike smug people, I might have a real problem with being smug, myself.

6. If I take extreme pleasure and find extraordinary joy in seeing a smug person embarrassed or humiliated, I might have a problem with personal smugness.

There’s more we could list, but we all get the idea.

This is a serious matter, but, here is a funny routine, by comedian Brian Regan, about this matter (funny, if it weren’t so true)

THE ME MONSTER 

Let’s pray for one another to rid ourselves of anything that displeases God.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves”; (Philippians 2:3).

Your brother and friend,

Mike Young

What do you call it when someone tries to focus on two separate and unrelated things at the same time? Syncretic? Double-minded? Indecisive? Undisciplined? Confused? Silly? Absurd? Idiotic? It depends. It depends on the context.

Cockeyed is properly defined, in the slang, as “foolish, ridiculous, absurd, askew or crooked”, as in “not aligned properly”.

It is, in actuality, a physical medical condition called strabismus, in which the eyes do not point in the same direction. It can also be referred to as a tropia or squint. And, although people may tease about it, it is anything but funny.

Strabismus can be caused by a defect in muscles or the part of the brain that controls eye movement. It is especially common in children who have brain tumors, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, other disorders that affect the brain

Diseases that cause partial or total blindness can cause strabismus. So can extreme farsightedness, cataracts, eye injury, or having much better vision in one eye than the other.

In adults, strabismus is usually caused by diabetes, head trauma, stroke, brain tumor, other diseases affecting nerves that control eye muscles.

Now that we have the description and definition, let’s look at a particular application of the word, cockeyed, in the slang.

What would you call it if a theologian, preacher, pastor or anyone calling themselves a Christian, would deliberately redefine doctrines and teachings in the Bible from their commonly accepted and customary meanings, definitions and descriptions? (Before we answer that, let’s dig a little deeper).

For example, the Bible says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident:

sexual immorality, (i.e., loveless, cheap sex),

impurity, (i.e., a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage),

sensuality, (i.e., frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness),

idolatry, (trinket gods, ugly parodies of community),

enmity, (paranoid loneliness),

strife, (cutthroat competition),

jealousy, (all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants),

fits of anger, (a brutal temper),

rivalries, (an impotence to love or be loved),

dissensions, (divided homes and divided lives),

divisions, (small-minded and lopsided pursuits),

envy, (the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival),

drunkenness, (uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions),

orgies, (ugly parodies of community, and things like these).

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (see Galatians 5:16-21).

(This was written by Paul the Apostle to the churches in southern Galatia, and perhaps northern Galatia, founded by Paul during his missionary journey – in other words, it was written to Christians.)

So, let’s say someone, claiming to be a Christian were to believe that, despite what the Bible clearly teaches, they believe that sex outside of marriage is okay because we are weak and fallible and God must understand. So we confess our sin, or not, but continue to have sex outside of marriage – and using our own logic and reasoning, teach others likewise. What is that?

Or, consider the so-called churches that are ‘gay affirming’.

1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.”

Or any of the other things, the sins? It’s cockeyed! You think you will go to heaven, but, #1, you are not a Christian, according to the Biblical definition; or if somehow you are a Christian, then you will have “lost your salvation” (another can of manmade theological worms) and you certainly “will not inherit the kingdom of God”, i.e., you are not going to heaven. Your thinking and reasoning is cockeyed: “foolish, ridiculous, absurd, askew or crooked”, as in “not aligned properly”.

Look friends, I know that some who read this will say things like, “you are the one who is cockeyed”, but that is just lame.

Or perhaps you will say “I just can’t stop it. I cannot help it. I have tried over and over, only to fail. I guess I was just born this way”. To which I say, “I understand”.

I do understand! Listen. The Bible does say that sin can separate you from God? I have often heard this phrase, that my ‘sins’ separate me from God, and that sin even hinders or negates my prayers or that God won’t even hear me.

Those who say that sin separates us from God, usually quote verses like Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

Or, New Testament verses like Galatians 5:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

Then, when I commit a sin, this phrase comes to my mind, and I begin to worry and doubt and fear that I have created a separation between me and my Eternal Hope.

I try to “not sin”, then I sin, anyway. And, the cycle of worry and doubt and fear starts over again.

I have met Christians who have serious challenges with alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual addiction, kleptomania, homosexuality, and other habits of thought, behavioral habits or addictions, and most will either say “the harder I try, the worse it gets” or “I am better, but…” or, they find themselves having to live in the torment. I had found myself in this dilemma, once in my life.

Then there are the few who say they have been delivered from this torment and have been set completely free. How do they do that?

I have read all the well-intended commentaries and the so-called Bible scholars on this matter, and you get answers that differ depending on denominational views.

WHAT A QUANDARY.

The Apostle Paul gives us a word of hope in Romans, chapter 7, speaking about the conflict of the two natures that dwell within us.

Romans 7:14-25, tells us,

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.  But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind I am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh, the law of sin.”

But, there is good news because there is deliverance from this bondage. It is not easy and it is never quick. But, there is deliverance. Jesus meant it when He says, “It is the one who endures to the end who will be saved”!!

Please click the link below to continue…

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THERE IS DELIVERANCE FROM THIS BONDAGE

SEEK FIRST HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS KINGDOM – AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE PROVIDED TO YOU

– Matthew 6:33 –

If you were to go to an encyclopedia or to Wikipedia and search for the word “Syncretism”, it would be helpful if you would find photos of Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Myer, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, Benny Hinn, Brian Houston, Kenneth Hagin.

Syncretism is defined as:

1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous.
2. The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms.
3. Attempted union of principles or parties irreconcilably at variance with each other.
4. The union or fusion into one of two or more originally different inflectional forms, as of two cases.
5. The reconciliation or fusion of differentsystems or beliefs (or the attempt at such fusion).
6. The fusion of different inflexional
7. The fusion of originally different inflected forms (resulting in a reduction in the use of inflections).
8. The union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy).

These people, and others like them (who hold a similar or the same view of the Bible) preach and teach a motivational style of prosperity and how to attain it or at least how to “be the best you, now”. Jesus refers to these types of teachers a “false teachers and wolves”.

They drape their “sales pitch” and the ensuing “sales training pitch” with religious language found in the Bible. Of course they reconstruct the language to fit their worldly and secular language so they can sell their merchandise, subscription membership to their websites, fake religious artifacts and memorabilia and to solicit their millions of dollars in donations in order to keep them in business and to “gain God’s favor”. I have to admit, however, that I have founds some of their messages entertaining and even motivational for personal gain.

One the other hand, there are more direct and transparent motivational speakers. On such man who is a motivational speaker and a personal life coach is Tony Robbins (and I am not rcommending or pitching for him). He says it for what it is. As he puts it:  “Extraordinary lives answering to a higher calling – a life on your terms, both of deep meaning and incredible impact. Driven by the pursuit of excellence and guided by a profound sense of purpose”. I.e., work hard, be good, reach for excellence in the personal pursuit of success and wealth while enriching the lives of those around you.

Although many of the principles Tony espouses can be found in the Bible, it not religious and it is not Bible-based and never claims to be.

Does the Bible ever talk about wealth and gaining wealth, success and fame? The honest answer to the question is ”yes”. The Bible does not shy away from this subject and in the Bible refers to the subject of prosperity around 125 times. The broader subject of prosperity, to prosper, wealth or to be wealthy, to be rich or riches is mentioned in various context about 290 times. Furthermore, Deuteronomy chapter 28 has a lot to say about prosperity and frames it within the idea of blessings from God:

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.  All these blessings will come on  you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity, in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

And Joshua chapter 1, verses 7. And 8 plainly state, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

The Bible talks frequently about both the advantages and the disadvantages of obtaining wealth and success. There are instructions about gaining wealth and how to handle it. But there are also stern warning about the pitfalls of wealth and its consequences.

The Bible refers to King Solomon, Abraham, King David, Job, Joseph, Isaac, Jacob, Lydia, Joseph of Arimathea, Hezekiah and a few others as being wealthy. Some as the richest men in the world at that time. (Some estimate King Solomon’s wealth in today’s currency at between 2 billion dollars to as much as 2 trillion dollars).

But the Bible is clear that we are not to first seek riches, wealth and fame:

Matthew 6:19, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Verse 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; Verse 21, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Verse 22. “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is [n]clear, your whole body will be full of light. Verse 23. But if your eye is bad (or evil), your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Verse 24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Verse 25. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Verse 26. Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? Verse 27. And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? Verse 28. And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, verse 29, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Verse 30. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Verse 31. Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ Verse 32. For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Verse 33. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”

If this is so, and if I am to seek first His Righteousness and His Kingdom, what are these things, what am I looking for, and how to I find them?

Righteousness carries the meaning of “just” or “righteous.” (tsedeq) and is found in Strong’s Concorance, Hebrew language referebce #6664, is often translated as “righteousness” or “justice,” referring to the moral and ethical standards expected by God.

It refers to righteousness in terms of right actions and justice, often used in the context of God’s covenant faithfulness and the ethical obligations of His people.

These Hebrew terms provide the Old Testament background for the New Testament understanding, highlighting the continuity of God’s righteous standards and His provision for humanity’s right standing with Him through faith.

The New Testament describes the righteousness that comes from God and is imputed to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. It encompasses both the legal standing of being declared righteous before God and the ethical conduct that flows from this status.

The concept is central to the New Testament’s message of salvation and ethical living. It is frequently associated with the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the gospel and is accessible to humanity through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is not based on human merit or works but is a gift from God, as seen in Romans 3:22: “And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

In the teachings of Jesus, it is often linked to the kingdom of God and the ethical demands of living as a disciple. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33 BSB): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

The Apostle Paul elaborates on the doctrine of righteousness in his epistles, particularly in Romans and Galatians. He explains that righteousness is credited to believers apart from works, as exemplified by Abraham’s faith (Romans 4:3 BSB): “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” This imputed righteousness results in a transformed life, leading to ethical behavior that reflects God’s character.

Furthermore, this is not only a legal standing but also involves the process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and conformity to Christ’s image. This dual aspect of righteousness—positional and practical—is a recurring theme in the New Testament, encouraging believers to live out their faith in tangible ways.

So, to recap and simplify, “God’s Righteousness and His Kingdom” is:

1. The moral and ethical standards expected by God.
2. God’s righteous standards and His provision for humanity’s right standing with Him through faith.
3. Salvation and ethical living.
4. The ethical demands of living as a disciple.
5. This involves the process of sanctification.
6. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

I.e., it’s all about obedience to God and the building of your character in conformity to His Righteousness and according the standards of His Kingdom – THEN ALL THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE PROVIDED.

There can be much more said in this pursuit. But, believe it when the Bible simply says that you must first have the attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (see Philippians 2).

If you want any degree of success, God says you are to walk by the Spirit, so you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not enter nor will you inherit the kingdom of God.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Seek His Righteousness. Seek His Kingdom. Enjoy the ensuing success!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Oh. And by the way, you may find success in fame, wealth, property or power in this world, but God’s definition of success is not measured in those terms. It is measured in terms of the soul. “May you prosper even as your soul prospers”; it is measured in healthy family relationships, in friendships and acquaintances, in how you treat others, in good physical, emotional and mental health, in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control and the like. Obtain these things and all the other things will be provided!

HERE IS AN OXYMORON

“LIVING AS THE WORLD LIVES – AND CALLING YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN”

(How to reverse the effects – Romans 7 & 8)

Dear brothers and sisters, friends, in Christ, we are living in exciting times, that is if you realize that we are living in The Last Days, as described in scriptures. (see “God has a plan for your life”).

Of course, if you read, watch or hear the secular media, you would not be so excited. The condition of the world, to the natural mind and the natural eye, looks desperate. Considering that the current condition of the world was foretold in prophetic scripture, we should not be surprised or taken unaware. The good news is that God IS aware of these matters. In fact, He is the One who pre-ordained them and set them in motion. But He has a plan for you in these days and through the End of the Age.

It is urgent, however, that we are prepared, both for what is upon us and what is yet to come. Jesus warned that you would be continually be hearing of wars and rumors of war, nations rising against nations, famines, earthquakes, and intolerable anguish around the world (see Matthew 24:4-8). He said people would betray one another, hate one another, (Matthew 24:9-10). that civility will disappear, and lawlessness will increase (Matthew 24:12).

Jesus said these things would be just the birth pangs, (see Matthew 24:8), of the tribulation, and that the Wrath of the Lamb, a Great Tribulation such as the world has never seen and never will see again, is yet to come (see Matthew 24:21). But that the ones who believe in Him, and would endure will be saved (see Matthew 24:13), now and from the coming terror, and it is these and ones like them who will inherit the kingdom of heaven!

It is telling that Jesus began His earthly ministry and teaching with these words: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand”, (see Matthew 4:17). Repentance, (see Repent, part 5), begins in your thinking, attitude, beliefs and then in your behavior. One of the key components of repentance and in your view and understanding of the Commandments of God, your relationship to Him and what this really means to you.

For example, and very importantly, do you know that we, as Christians, have been released, set free, from the legalism of religion? That is, we have been set free from the law of the ‘old covenant’, which was a set of external rules and regulations that pointed out our sinful ways and burdened us with rituals and rites that only intensified the shame and guilt of our failures, but did nothing to alleviate our suffering.

Or were you unaware that the Law has jurisdiction over a person, to rule them mentally and emotionally, as long as they live?

Therefore, fellow believers, we have died to the restrictive nature of the old covenant Law by our knowledge and acceptance of the crucified body of Christ, so that you may belong to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. This is true repentance.

However, when we were living in the flesh, trapped by sin, filled with the error of worldly thinking, and our minds were focused on sinful passions, our lower nature was awakened by something the Law identifies as “sin”. It was then that we realized that “sin” was in our mind and body, working to bear its fruit of death, and it was through that realization or awareness, that sin began its deadly work in our lives. Furthermore, and tragically, our natural willingness to sin leads to our spiritual death and separation from God.

But now, because we have voluntarily died through Christ to that old system of thinking to which we were held captive, we have now been released from that Law and its penalty. Now we can now serve God with a new attitude of the Spirit, having shed the old, domineering letter of the Law.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am I not saying that the Law or the Commandments of God are sinful. Absolutely not! On the contrary, if it had not been for the Commandments and the Law, I could not have recognized and defined my sin. For example, I could not have realized that my greed for what belongs to another person was sinful if the Law did not repeatedly tell me, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET – lust after and greedily desire the possessions of others.”

And please understand, sin is not just a concept. It is a real thing, and it finds opportunities to express itself in me and every other person, in every kind of coveting and selfish desire.

This idea may be hard to grasp at first, but without the Law constantly reminding me of my sin, sin has no power to afflict me. In other words, my recognition of sin is deactivated and I am set free from that nagging reminder and focus on the negative, when I stop focusing on sin.

I used to be alive without the knowledge of what was sinful; but when the commandments came and I understood its meaning, sin became alive and killed my freedom, and I was filled with guilt and shame, and the Law sentenced me to a spiritual and emotional death.

Those very commandments which was intended to bring a balance and healthy life to me, actually brought death to my soul. For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandments, beguiled and completely deceived me, and became a weapon that killed me, that is separated me from the freedom found with God.

Please understand that the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good, so how did that which is good, the Law that is, become death to me?

Please understand that it was not the Law which deceived and snared me. It was sin that did that. It seems contradictory, or oxymoronic, but that was a benefit in that it was made aware that sin was present within me and the reality of sin was revealed, and that is was producing death in me by using this good thing, the Law as a weapon against me. So, through the Commandments, sin would become exceedingly sinful. I.e., sin hijacked the Commandments and used them against me and my mind.

Let me try to explain this another way. We know that the Law of God is spiritual, but since I am a creature of the flesh, that is, I am worldly, self-reliant, carnal and unspiritual, and sold into slavery to sin, the passions of my mind and body, are in a way, serving sin and have come under its control. Sin deceives me in my thinking and understanding, so much that I do cannot understand my own behavior and actions. I am baffled and bewildered by them. You see, I do not act like or practice the things what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate, and I am helplessly yielding to my lower human nature, that is my worldliness, my capacity to be sinful.

This sinful thought life and behaviors become both open and secret habits. And, I habitually do what I do not want to do.

This is telling me, as crazy as it sounds, that I agree that the Commandments as good and morally excellent, because I come to see the difference between what I want to do and what I do not want to do.

So now if that is the case, then it is no longer I who am willingly doing those disobedient things which I despise, but it is the sin nature, this real and evil thing, which is living within me.

Now I see and realize that nothing good lives in my ‘flesh’, that is in my human nature. For I am willing and desiring to do good, but the ability to always do good is not in me, so I am conflicted and I struggle.

I am not actually doing the good things that I want to do. Instead I find myself doing and practicing the very evil things that I do not want to do.

So I have to realize and conclude that it is not the ‘real me’ doing these awful acts, but it is the ‘sin nature’ which lives in me and is controlling me.

I find this has become the law, so to speak, of my inner self, of my fleshly and worldly mind, which is possessed by evil. And it is present and struggling against the ‘other me’, who wants to do good.

I know this sounds like a multiple personality disorder, but there is just no other way to describe this madness.

Listen, I honestly and joyfully delight in the goodness of the law and commandments of God in my inner self with my new born again nature, but I can also see a different law and rule of action in my mind and soul, with its appetites and desires, waging war against the goodness of God’s commandments I hold in my mind. And the reality of sin in my mind is subverting and subduing my will to do good, which is making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is lurking about in my mind.

Living like this is making me a wretched and miserable person! I often cry out and ask “Who will rescue me and set me free from this mind and body of death, from this corrupt, mortal existence?

Now, however, I openly thank God for my deliverance through Jesus Christ our Lord!

On the one hand I now realize that I can serve the law of God, while on the other hand, I find that I unwillingly serve the law of sin with my flesh through my worldly human nature. Such a horrible contradiction infecting my mind.

However, I have come to now realize and to know, that by putting my faith in Jesus, that there is no condemnation, no guilty verdict, no punishment for me nor for those of us who are in Christ Jesus, that is for those who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior.

You see, there is now a NEW LAW which supersedes and overrules the old law which is the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus. This is the new law of our new being, and it has set you and me free from the law of sin and of death.

For what the old law could not do, that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power being weakened by the flesh man’s nature, is done through this NEW LAW, by way of the Holy Spirit!

You really have to get what God has done! He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son, so that the righteous and just, the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not willingly live our lives in the ways of the flesh which is guided by worldliness and our innate sinful nature. But we now willingly live our lives in the ways of the Spirit, enabled and guided by His power.

And, get this: those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, and that is the trap. I mean they are always thinking about sinful things, which excite the lusts and lower nature, those things which titillate and gratify the lower passions of the body.

But those who are living according to the Spirit, continually think about and set their minds on the things of the Spirit, that is God’s Will and Purpose, and that is the escape from the trap of sin.

The mind of the flesh lead to and brings mental, emotional, spiritual and ultimately, physical death, both now and forever, because it pursues sin.

But the mind of the Spirit brings life and peace and the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God, both now and forever.

The mind of the flesh with its sinful pursuits is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh, living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses, cannot please God.

However, you are no longer living in the flesh, being controlled by the sinful nature, but you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you, directing and guiding you.

Be aware that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him and is not a child of God.

But if Christ lives in you, even though your natural body and soul is dead because of the effects of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness which He provides. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. This is the greatest gift ever given to us by God. This is the greatest of miracles.

So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, not to our flesh, our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity to live according to the impulses of the flesh our nature without the Holy Spirit. For if you are living according to the impulses of the flesh, you are going to die emotionally, mentally, spiritually and eternally.

But if you are living by the power of the Holy Spirit, that means you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, and you will really live forever.

For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Now that you have been born again by God’s grace and through faith in Jesus, you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, through the Spirit producing sonship, by which we joyfully cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit, assuring us that we, as believers, are children of God. And if we are His children, then we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance. Additionally, if we really share in His suffering then we will also share in His glory.

Now, from this standpoint of faith, the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!

Amazingly, all of creation waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay and gain entrance into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit a joyful indication of the blessings to come, even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for the sign of our adoption as sons, the redemption and transformation of our body at the resurrection. For in this hope we were saved by faith.

Remember that the Spirit always comes to us and helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself knows our need and at the right time intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes before God on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will.

And we know, with great confidence, that God, who is deeply concerned about us, causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

For those whom He foreknew and loved and chose beforehand, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, and ultimately share in His complete sanctification, so that He would be the firstborn and the most beloved and honored, among many believers.

Remember that those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified, that is He has declared us free of the guilt of sin; and those whom He justified, He also glorified, raising them to a heavenly dignity.  (Adopted from Romans 7 and 8).

So please, dear friends, let’s stop thinking as the world thinks, and Let’s stop believing as the world believes. It only negates our faith and our ability to live and to serve Him.

If we are to live in the Spirit of God, let’s walk by the Spirit, in personal integrity, Godly character and moral courage, our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s think as Christ Jesus thinks. Let’s do as Jesus does. Let’s actually follow Jesus. Let’s demonstrate our faith in God, both by our attitude, behavior and works as we actually follow Him. (Adapted from Romans chapters 7 and 8).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“God Will Break Through”

אלוהים יפרוץ

“Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.”  Genesis 22:17

The pastor of a mega-church we attended, several years ago, announced that the next Sunday’s sermon would be titled “Dangerous Christianity”.

This is a Gospel-centered church and the senior pastor was undoubtedly a Godly man, so the title created a stir of excitement in the congregation and I felt a positive anticipation rising in me. DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY was exactly what I needed. It was exactly what I wanted to dish out to the devil: DANGER FROM GOD!

The next Sunday came, and we sat in our comfortable theater-style cushioned seats, eagerly waiting to hear about “Dangerous Christianity“.

“Beware, Devil”, I thought, “we are going to be a threat to you and yours from now on!”

The pastor started by saying, “It is Dangerous to take the Bible literally. Believing that everything in the Gospel is meant for your benefit can be DANGEROUS to your faith.”

I listened, and I thought, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”

He repeated his opening statement.

Curious and a bit concerned, I listened to his lecture, but I didn’t hear too much after the introduction.

I kept thinking, over and over, that this respected man of God just said that the Bible presented a danger to the Believer’s faith, if he or she takes it literally.

Grammar, figures of speech, parts of speech, literary style, usage of nouns, pronouns, and verbs all aside, about all I remember about this “lecture” was the opening statement.

I understand metaphors, similes, idioms and hyperbole, and the Bible uses these figures of speech in various places to communicate an idea, a thought or a message.

But, the Bible is GOD BREATHED and is meant for every man, woman, boy and girl to understand. And the Bible indicates what is meant to be literal and what is not literal.

So, I decided to see if there was such a thing as Dangerous Christianity in the Bible, and here is what I found:

Genesis 22:17 “Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.”

1. Christians are a danger to possess the gate of our enemies!

Psalms 125:1, “Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. Verse 2. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.”

2. Christians are a danger to anyone or anything that would try to separate us from God.

Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.”

3. Christians are a danger to weapons formed to be used against us and our accusers will be condemned!!

John 10:28, ‘and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. Verse 29. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

4. Christians are a danger to death or any kind of separation from our Father’s Hand.

Romans 8:35, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Verse 36. Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” Verse 37. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Verse 38. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

5. Christians are a danger to tribulation, or

• • distress, or
  • persecution, or
  • famine, or
  • nakedness, or
  • peril, or sword or
  • death,

because we are more than conquers through Christ!!

Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.”

6. Christians are a danger to upheaval or turmoil.

Matthew 16:19, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

7. Christians are a danger to the evil of this world because we pray in Jesus’ Name and

• • Jesus possesses the keys to the kingdom of heaven and
  • Jesus binds evil,
  • Jesus binds death,
  • Jesus binds poverty,
  • Jesus binds sickness,
  • Jesus binds doubt,
  • Jesus binds fear,
  • Jesus binds hopelessness and the like.

Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Verse 11. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Verse 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Verse 13. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

8. Christians are a danger to schemes of the devil.

Mark 16:17, “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues.”

9. Christians are a danger to demons.

Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.”

11. Christians are a danger to sickness, death, disease and evil!!

Now, this is what I call DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY.

Let’s exercise our gifts of the Spirit, the rights as brothers of Jesus, joint heirs of the Son, and as sons of God and remember that it is The Spirit doing His Work through us! Let’s let the power of God and His love, kindness, patience, gentleness, self-control, goodness, and faithfulness flow through us.

Let’s speak the Logos of God. Let’s speak the Rhema of God. Let’s walk in the Spirit of God and carry His Word before us.

Let’s live the life of a ‘Dangerous Christianity’ and bring glory to our God.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS – Can you think of other ways we can be ‘Dangerous Christians’ for the Glory of God and a credit to His Kingdom?

AVOID THE PIT

ESCAPE THE PIT

WE SHOULD KNOW THIS. IT WILL SAVE OUR LIFE AND OUR SOUL

Really. We can actually DO this for our benefit – and for God’s glory!

Psalms 103:1-4, (A Psalm of David).

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;

So, what exactly is THE PIT, God rescues us from?

The Bible defines “THE PIT” as

• corruption,

• destruction,

• a ditch and

• a grave.

• It is also referred to as a “pit of hell”.

This definition is from the Hebrew language and comes from a root word or meaning

• “to sink down,

• be bowed down,

• be humbled;

• depression of the mind.

(taken from Psalms 103:4)

What is the PIT we can fall into which become our corruption, our destruction, a ditch a grave and a “pit of hell”? What are these PITS which cause us to sink down, to be bowed down, humbled and depressed in our mind? Here are a few:

The PIT of fear.
The PIT of anger.
The PIT of poverty.
The PIT of hatred.
The PIT of anxiety.
The PIT of lack and want.
The PIT of revenge.
The PIT of selfishness.
The PIT of resentment.
The PIT of addiction.
The PIT of lust and perversion.
The PIT of self-pity.
The PIT of envy.
The PIT of pride.
The PIT of self.

These and many more can become (or have become) a snare to our soul and mind. They can dictate our every thought and act and lead us into daily captivity of depression, destruction. A living hell. An above ground grave.

ESCAPE THE PIT!

Avoiding the PIT takes discipline and work on our part. We must consciously tell our soul to Bless the LORD. The Bible tells us to “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits”

If we follow this command – in other words, actually DO this – God redeems your life from the pit, and will crown you with loving kindness and compassion

Do it now. You will see, if you DO IT NOW. SAY THESE THINGS, NOW

“I Bless you LORD with my soul,

“I Bless you LORD with my mind, will and emotions.

“My soul says ” I Bless you LORD for you have rescued me, and You give me Your peace.

“You give me Your Joy.

“Today, I am full of Your Peace and Your Joy.

“Today, I am redeemed.

“Today, You have given me a strong and sound mind. I Bless you LORD for You are my redemption.”

I am FREE of fear.
I am FREE of anger.
I am FREE of poverty.
I am FREE of hatred.
I am FREE of anxiety.
I am FREE of lack and want.
I am FREE of revenge.
I am FREE of selfishness.
I am FREE of resentment.
I am FREE of addiction.
I am FREE of lust and perversion.
I am FREE of self-pity.
I am FREE of envy.

I am crowned with the courage of God.
I am crowned with the peace of Jesus.
I am crowned with all of God’s provisions of plenty.
I am crowned with God’s Love.
I am crowned with the confidence with comes from knowing God.
I am crowned with all the riches of Christ Jesus.
I am crowned with God’s reconciliation.
I am crowned with freedom in from the flesh.
I am crowned with God’s contentment.
I am crowned with a pure heart and a clean mind.
I am crowned with God’s satisfaction in my soul.
I am crowned with the gift of giving.

Bless the LORD, Oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His Holy Name!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young