Recently I heard a man from England discussing a potential terrorist plot that had been uncovered.
In attempting to point out how dangerous radical Islamists are he made the following observation about their religion. He said they were loyal to their faith first and the country they live in second.
His point was to explain why they kill and terrorize those who disagree with their faith.
My immediate response was, "Is that not true of Christians?" I have been taught from childhood up to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) This incident with Peter and John occurred when they were instructed not to teach the message of Christ. This was a statement by Peter indicating he and John and others were obligated by their faith to teach it to others so they could enjoy the ultimate benefit of salvation. (Acts 4:19,20) It was not a statement that indicated any plans to overthrow the government or in any way attack those who opposed them. It was a statement that said you will have to punish us if you see fit but we must practice our faith.
Now this is the opposite of the radical Islamists who say if you disagree with us we will kill you anyway we can to eliminate any opposition.
Christians know they are to worship one God only. (1 Cor. 8:4-6) They understand the scope of their loyalty to that God is to be complete; total. "With all your heart, soul and mind." (Matt. 22:37) They further understand He comes first, ahead of all those they love such as family or friends. (Matt. 10:34ff) They understand such a faith will bring about persecution. (2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Cor. 4:11-13)
So what we have are two polar opposite reactions to loyalty to one's faith above all else such as family, government, etc. On the one hand Christians are faithful to God to the point of suffering persecution for that faith while on the other hand radical Islamists are loyal to their faith to the point of bring destruction on anyone who rejects it.
The problem I am trying to expose is everyone is walking on eggshells trying not to offend those who are considered to be moderate Islamists. As a result experts decry being loyal to one's faith above all else rather than pointing out that such loyalty should not cause harm to others. We need to acknowledge one can be loyal to his faith above all else and not be a danger or threat to others around him who are not.
What we need here is to recognize that any faith that calls on its followers to destroy its opponents by physical assault is an invalid faith. Anyone who serves such a God needs to recognize their God is evil or they are serving themselves and attributing it to God.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
ARE YOU LISTENING?
It is amazing how many things we hear and understand and then dismiss as either unimportant or at the very least unrelated to our lives.
This happens with commercial ads. They spend a lot of money to convince us all that we need to use their product to make our lives better.
The truth is, some of the products they advertise, we could and do use, while others provide us no benefit whatsoever. We therefore dismiss all of what they have to say about products that have no purpose or value in our lives. Some of those products are not useful to our goals and purposes while others damage those same goals and purposes.
This reminds me of biblical teaching. In reference to Jesus we are instructed to "Hear ye Him." (Matt. 17:5) He is the One through whom God speaks to man at this point in time. (Heb. 1:1,2) To illustrate how we should respond to this instruction, consider God's example to us. John, the Apostle, says He hears us and in so doing answers our requests. (1 John 5:14,15)
Our point is we need to hear Him, as in listen and give attention to, what He says.
Why should we listen to the words of God? It is useful to our goals. Do we desire His blessings? Of course we do. The most irreverent and irreligious people you know pray to God when a loved one has serious health issues. We all want His blessings.
Moses, speaking of Christ, tells us we must hear Him or be utterly destroyed. (Acts 3:22,23) That destruction is spiritual death described in scripture as the eternal punishment one receives for rejecting the words of God and Christ. (John 12:48; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)
This is the reason Jesus says those who do not heed His words are fools. (Matt. 7:26,27) Do we prefer to listen to men of the world and be punished as fools or can we discipline ourselves to listen to God and receive the ultimate blessing of eternal life? It is a choice we make each and every day of our lives. What will your choice be?
This happens with commercial ads. They spend a lot of money to convince us all that we need to use their product to make our lives better.
The truth is, some of the products they advertise, we could and do use, while others provide us no benefit whatsoever. We therefore dismiss all of what they have to say about products that have no purpose or value in our lives. Some of those products are not useful to our goals and purposes while others damage those same goals and purposes.
This reminds me of biblical teaching. In reference to Jesus we are instructed to "Hear ye Him." (Matt. 17:5) He is the One through whom God speaks to man at this point in time. (Heb. 1:1,2) To illustrate how we should respond to this instruction, consider God's example to us. John, the Apostle, says He hears us and in so doing answers our requests. (1 John 5:14,15)
Our point is we need to hear Him, as in listen and give attention to, what He says.
Why should we listen to the words of God? It is useful to our goals. Do we desire His blessings? Of course we do. The most irreverent and irreligious people you know pray to God when a loved one has serious health issues. We all want His blessings.
Moses, speaking of Christ, tells us we must hear Him or be utterly destroyed. (Acts 3:22,23) That destruction is spiritual death described in scripture as the eternal punishment one receives for rejecting the words of God and Christ. (John 12:48; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)
This is the reason Jesus says those who do not heed His words are fools. (Matt. 7:26,27) Do we prefer to listen to men of the world and be punished as fools or can we discipline ourselves to listen to God and receive the ultimate blessing of eternal life? It is a choice we make each and every day of our lives. What will your choice be?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Jim's Gems:
We last wrote pointing out how much our lives at home, in the church and in our nation would be enhanced if men lived up to their responsibilities as leaders.
How much better would the lives of all people be if they lived as Jesus taught?
We are not even addressing the question of obedience to the Lord. We are just asking whether everyone would be happier if each of us truly loved his neighbor as himself. Even those who have no intention of responding to the gospel call would be happier if that rule was followed.
What if everyone went about doing good to all men as they had opportunity? (Gal. 6:10) Wouldn't this make the world a better place to live?
What do you think the effect on our society would be if people simply refused to drink alcohol and take drugs? What if men refused to patronize places where women dance scantily clad? Or quit buying magazines filled with pornographic images? What if they never surfed the net for porn and instead devoted themselves to their wives? What if women rejected the immodest fashions of the day?
If all these "what ifs" took place in our world; how much hatred would be eliminated? How many marriages would be saved and not only be saved but be genuinely happy? How many children would grow up loved and cared for that are not presently?
Well, you see where I am going with this. These are all things Jesus demands of His disciples that the world ignores or rejects.
Yet the benefits to our society in reduced suffering here in this life would be immeasurable if people just accepted the advice of their Creator. He made us and knows what makes us happy and content.
Now He offers even more than happiness on earth for those who will accept His advice. He offers eternal bliss in the next life as well as happiness in this one.
All we have to do is listen to His message rather than the message of so many who are miserable and suffering here while on their way to eternal destruction in the next life.
A rather easy choice, don't you think?
How much better would the lives of all people be if they lived as Jesus taught?
We are not even addressing the question of obedience to the Lord. We are just asking whether everyone would be happier if each of us truly loved his neighbor as himself. Even those who have no intention of responding to the gospel call would be happier if that rule was followed.
What if everyone went about doing good to all men as they had opportunity? (Gal. 6:10) Wouldn't this make the world a better place to live?
What do you think the effect on our society would be if people simply refused to drink alcohol and take drugs? What if men refused to patronize places where women dance scantily clad? Or quit buying magazines filled with pornographic images? What if they never surfed the net for porn and instead devoted themselves to their wives? What if women rejected the immodest fashions of the day?
If all these "what ifs" took place in our world; how much hatred would be eliminated? How many marriages would be saved and not only be saved but be genuinely happy? How many children would grow up loved and cared for that are not presently?
Well, you see where I am going with this. These are all things Jesus demands of His disciples that the world ignores or rejects.
Yet the benefits to our society in reduced suffering here in this life would be immeasurable if people just accepted the advice of their Creator. He made us and knows what makes us happy and content.
Now He offers even more than happiness on earth for those who will accept His advice. He offers eternal bliss in the next life as well as happiness in this one.
All we have to do is listen to His message rather than the message of so many who are miserable and suffering here while on their way to eternal destruction in the next life.
A rather easy choice, don't you think?
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