My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Even the Sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young-
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
(Psalm 84:2-4)
Racism, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, cisgender movement, the militant Muslims, Christianity, Judaism, plain ol' religious zealots, wars, rumors of wars, the right to bear arms or lay them down, anti this, pro that, conservative, liberal, left wing, right wing, and wing nuts; all of these movements and institutions are all noisemakers, creating noise manufactured by Satan himself (Yes, I said it!) to distract from the reality of what is really going on!
I realize that I risk sounding like one of those Bible thumping Christians who want to cram Christianity down a person's throat. While I have a passion to see people come to Christ, it is the Christians who have given Christianity a bad wrap and create stumbling blocks for those seeking Christ and those who have yet to accepted Him. It is that group of people I've become most frustrated with.
The reality is, if you truly believe in God's word, then you know how relevant it is to the times we're living in. As His Word WAS written FOR the believers. "He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables."(Mark 4:11)
We're being distracted by all the noise around us. Distracted from the bigger picture. While we're being distracted, we're being disarmed and disillusioned and led to believe in the stripped down watered down version of who Christ is, why he came, the fact he is coming again, and what we are to do about it. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms". In today's "modern world" that sounds like a line from an upcoming superhero movie. Who can save us from the scary spiritual forces of evil? Jesus, the Son of Man can!
Joking aside, all of the issues mentioned earlier and more, have the the church squabbling, fighting, and ripping apart at the seams, or worse than that passively backing down, taking no stands for or against anything, and being afraid to step on toes. Christians today are so afraid to speak the truth! The live in fear of being politically incorrect, hurting people's feelings, stepping on toes, and not retaining people who give generously. So these stripped down, watered down sermons, we now call messages in our church are given as quiet little talks to tickle the ears of man and bring no offense to anyone. Surely we can't offend or make anyone uncomfortable, Jesus never did that right? Remember that little scene in the temple where he had a fit? He took a dramatic stand for what was right! "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves."(Matthew 21:12)
I've heard it said, "Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comforted ". There are those who are comfortable just being a Christian who earned that free ticket to get into heaven and there are those who refuse to hear the truth. Being a Christian never guaranteed you an easy life. In fact Jesus said, "Remember what I told you, ' A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." (John 15:20) So why would we as Christians be persecuted, we love, tolerate, and live peacefully with everyone, right?
As a Christian we ARE called to love one another. When we love someone, BECAUSE we love someone, and see them going the wrong way, aren't we going to try and guide and direct them in the right way to keep them from harm? In fact Galatians 6:1 states, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." If you're in a relationship with a person who is constantly causing you or themselves harm, and nothing you say or do will get them to see the truth of what they are doing and turn from it, will you continue to tolerate and allow their actions to affect your life? What if the very thing they are doing is holding on to beliefs, ideas, possessions, or relationships, that are preventing them from moving forward due to the pain and destruction they cause? What if it is the very thing preventing them from having certain blessings in life or a deeper walk with the Lord? Worse yet, you can see by them not letting go of that belief, idea, or possession, it's keeping them from accepting Christ and He'll is what will await them when this life on Earth is over? As a Christian do we want their blood on our hands because we were afraid to make them uncomfortable?!
Matthew 19 speaks of the young ruler who believed he was doing everything right in the eyes of the Lord and asked Jesus, just what he needed to do in order to gain eternal life. Jesus answered him by telling him to sell all of his possessions and give to the poor, then follow Him. The man hung his head and walked away, as he was a wealthy man. Jesus let the man walk away, He didn't chase after him. He let him go and gave him up to his own devices. He didn't stick buy him and say, well I see it hurts you too much to give up your lifestyle, and the things and people you love so much, it's okay then, you can come with me any ways. No he didn't tolerate it at all, I'm sure He still loved him and had compassion for him, as it must have grieved His heart to know that the man choose his own worldly desires over eternal life. Jesus walked in with his disciples to share the Good News About The a Kingdom of God!
Christians need to be careful with who and how God's kingdom is shared. Jesus refers to the Kingdom as a treasure or pearl. Not everyone willing accepts His gift or treasure, being careful not to cram it down people's throats. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."(Matthew 7:6)
The Good News of The Kingdom and the power of that Kingdom is not to be taken lightly. It's not some made up story to keep the people in check. It's not a far away place somewhere in the clouds where we might get to live one day, if we're good. It is here, it is now, not in full, but in part until the return of Jesus. What are we to do with this God News of the returning of Jesus? How are we to live until he returns? 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;" The word peculiar as we understand it today means to be odd or stand out, isn't that how many Christians are viewed any more? At the same time Christians don't want to be odd or stand out, they want to fit in and be like everyone else. Is that what we're called to do? The word peculiar comes from the Latin and late Middle English words: peculium; meaning property, and peculiaris; meaning private property, and peculiar; meaning particular and special. Christians have evolved from being special and belonging to God to people who are different and stand out. Either way, for our time the word fits! In an ever changing world, God's word remains true! We are to stand out for God. Take a stand don't lie down and try to fit in. Jesus took a stand and people took noticed everywhere He went. Many didn't like it!
While the distraction of Satan's noise is all around us, Christians fail to draw near to the alter of God and are missing out on his blessings. We are just laying down all of our convictions to fit in. While Christians in America are trying to comfortably fit in with the world, there are Christians GETTING THEIR HEADS CHOPPED OFF!! That's what we are being distracted from. God has called us, chosen us and set us aside for His return. Satan is threatened by this and knows the time is near! If Christians weren't such a threat they wouldn't be persecuted. If there wasn't something special about coming to the Lord and being a Christian, Satan wouldn't care and Christ followers wouldn't be persecuted. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8) it is happening here, it's happening now! ISIS may not be acting out on our American soil today but Satan's noise is distracting and killing us just the same.
So Christians stay distracted continue on building these churches full of peace, love and grace. However, is the peace, love, and grace Christians are showing the real deal? There are Christians, my self included who have no problem admitting how messy, broken and imperfect they are and have a desire to come along side and invite the messy, broken, and imperfect people on the journey to follow Jesus with them. Now, there is nothing really wrong with that desire and practice. The problem comes when Christians become content in their mess and just woller around in it. Christians become so complacent about their messiness, brokenness and imperfections (we should just call it out here, SINS) that the body of Christ, the church isn't being edified. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage and edify one another so we can, as the previous 10 states we can live with Him. The word edify comes from Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare ‘build,’ from aedis ‘dwelling’ + facere ‘make’ The word originally meant ‘construct a building,’ also ‘strengthen,’ hence to “build up” morally or spiritually. By staying in our current state not looking to build up keeps us from having a deeper relationship living with Christ on earth. And you know in the process of building up, sometimes you need to tear down. Tear down and remove the things the things that hinder the construction of our lives in Christ.
Hebrews 3:13-15 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your heart as you did in the rebellion."” Sadly, that's what has happened to Christians in America. Christians have become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Instead of sin it's called or treated as messiness, brokenness, illness, defect, or even a mistake God allowed or created.
When we realize we live in a fallen and sinful world, and put light on the dark places sin hides in and expose it for what it is, the power that comes with the Kingdom that Christians are supposed to be sharing becomes more apparent and alive. Matthew 10:7&8 says, "As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." The disciples were given Kingdom power and were told to use it and to pass it on to others. This is another truth Satan's noise keeps us from. The power that was gifted to the apostles, was passed along, and is still alive today if we choose to use it. It doesn't of course give us a license to be weird and totally out there but it does give us the ability to naturally tap into the supernatural.
While we have the ability to use that Kingdom Power in part and are called to live at peace with mankind, that doesn't mean that we give up the right to protect ourselves from the evil in the world. There won't be peace on Earth until Jesus returns, which is why Full Kingdom power isn't here now. It is important to continually pray for His power and presence to fill us up. So as we walk on this Earth during these times we need take stands, be bold and peculiar, tap into the supernatural, edify the body of Christ, step on the toes of those who just want to sit there and blend in, don't get caught up in the noise Satan creates to distract us from the truth!
The truth is that souls need to be saved. People are hurting and have needs that aren't getting met in churches today, they are turned into projects, instead of brothers and sisters in Christ. Many times in the Bible, God's love letter and guide to the world, there are examples of the apostles speaking boldly to the people inside and outside of the church. Christians in America, we are called to speak boldly for the Lord! Being bold is, not being hesitant or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff. It takes courage and a daring spirit. I fear that spirit is lacking today.
In today's world, in the so called Christian world, the focus is more on the noise than the Kingdom. The Reality is, Christ came, wherever Christ is, so is His rule and reign. His spirit lives and dwells in the hearts of Christians. Christians hold on to of that Kingdom power. We were given a treasure and will be held accountable for how we used it. Jesus taught this many times. Matthew 13:44 again speaks of the kingdom as a pearl: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." The pearl had so much value, that when it was put in the ground the man sold EVERYTHING to buy up the whole field where the pearl was buried! We as Christians are like that field, the pearl or Kingdom is hidden within us and Jesus bought us, we belong to Him and contain His power. What are doing with it? Are we blending in letting the Earth grow up around and reclaim us? Sadly, I believe that's what we're doing. We're comfortable in our mess, listening to the noise, sitting back while others take a stand and die for Christ. We close our eyes and turn our head, and we will be caught by surprise and have no more excuses to give when Jesus returns!
Christians, draw near to His altar. Make His house a house of praise not a comfortable place to blend in. Be bold, take stands, and edify one another. Stay aware of who the battle is for and who it is against. There is a greater reality than what we can see with human eyes. Stay aware "...greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4)
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