The Apostle that almost was (the rich young ruler revisited)

Luke 18:18-27 King James Version (KJV)

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

This is a very familiar passage of scripture. Many have used it to speak of folks rejecting Jesus in favor of the wealth and things of this world. These people have covered this well. But, I believe there may be a few more lessons to be learned from scripture about this young man. 

Verse 18) It is customary in religious, business, and political circles to address the ego of the person you are speaking to- especially if the person is perceived to be of a superior position than you. When the young man begins his question to Jesus, he starts with "Good Master." He was recognizing the innate goodness of Jesus, as well as Jesus' good works (healing the sick, etc). 

He was also recognizing him as a Master. He recognized Jesus' amazing teaching to all who would listen. Jesus was the new hot thing in the world. This naturally drew some of the who's who in the community. More than likely, he contacted his associates in various local governments to gain their insights into Jesus. Doubtless, this man had sent his people out to see what all the fuss was about. After all, the rich don't just hang out with the "unwashed masses" without having a good reason to do so. The reports he'd received back amazed him. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, bucked up against the Jewish authority of the day. This was truly a man worth checking out!

So, the rich young man decided that Jesus was worthy of his actually going out to meet him. He orders his entourage to make the necessary arrangements. There was his security to consider, his mode of travel, his clothing, the room or house he was to stay in, his food and drink for the going travel, his lodging, and his return trip. Everything had to be set up just so. He also must've had a man (or men) following Jesus so that he knew when and where to go in the first place. He makes his initial trip and settles down for the night. 

The next day, he learns from his servants where Jesus was preaching and (after a healthy breakfast, no doubt) heads out to meet this famous (or infamous in some circles) teacher named Jesus. 

Imagine the agitation of this young man when he sees the masses huddled around Jesus- hanging on his every word and action. He actually has to wait on Jesus to speak to this rabble! Finally, he begins to make his way through the crowds toward the teacher. Most of the crowd recognizes wealth and nobility and moves out of his way (some willingly, others out of obligation). 

Jesus wasn't dressed in fancy robes and fine garments. His hair was windblown. His robes had dirt on them. But his eyes burned with the Holy Fire of God. But, to this ruler, all these facts added up to someone worthy of use, but certainly not an equal. When he finally meets Jesus, he doesn't even give him his name. 

Falling back on his ways of speaking to someone, he puts on a smile and says, "Good Master."

Verse 19) Imagine the ruler's surprise when Jesus did not respond with the same customary kindness. Instead, Jesus cuts to the chase, so to speak.

"Why callest thou me good?"

Why are you even speaking to me, Ruler? You don't even consider me an equal. You look down on me and the multitudes I speak to. You could feed this whole mass of humanity here and then some with your wealth. Yet, you see in me a way to use me for your own purposes to gain something from me and the crowds to which I minister. Why are you here? You can almost hear the hostility in Jesus's question. 

But, then he lowers the boom that most people miss:

"None is good, save one, that is, God."

Unlike many false interpretations, Jesus was not playing himself down with this statement. He was not pointing out that he was a lesser part of a fictitious trinity. Rather, he was telling this young man and everyone that heard, "I am good because I am God almighty come in flesh (Emmanuel- God with us!)! Do you have enough spiritual understanding to know who it truly is that you are talking down to? 

Verse 20) The ruler had asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, so Jesus, rather flippantly, lists of 5 of the 10 commandments:

"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother."

Verse 21) The ruler seems ecstatic! Really? That's all? I've done these all my life! He, like many others, did not notice that 5 more commandments had been left off the list.

What commandments did Jesus leave off?

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." 

By definition, a rich businessman faces a choice on a daily basis. "Do I follow God's laws and make less money, or do I follow man's laws and make more money. Do I follow a righteous God and his commands? Or do I follow whatever god that fits the particular business deal I'm making? 

Most follow whatever god fits the moment for their own self-gain and standing in the community.

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..."

This is not talking about an artistic endeavor (though many have used art as an excuse to be gory or pornographic or some other perversion they wish to glorify). Rather, this is referring to the making of an idol that is to be worshipped and adored by the maker and many other people. 

There are still many idols in the world. India, Africa, and South America are full of idols carved from trees or rocks that people bow down before and worship. Japan, though a very westernized culture, still has many that have things set up in and around their homes in order to worship their own dead ancestors. Physical idols can literally be found around the world.

Yet, in Western society, we have other idols: Money, Movie Stars, TV Stars, Cars, Homes, Yachts, Politicians, Political Parties, Churches, Preachers, Singers, etc. The list goes on and on. 

How many business deals and political deals are made that are contrary to God's laws, but are made in the name of Money and religious freedom? How many backroom deals are made in order to work around God's laws and make money from ungodly things (abortion comes to mind as just one example of millions)? 

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

Contrary to popular belief, this is not simply saying don't use the name of Jesus as a cuss word- though that is certainly a part of it. To take God's name means to become a part of his bride (the church) through the new birth (Acts 2:38).

To take his name in vain means to walk away altogether, or to fall away from a right relationship with him. We, as his bride, are to live, act, dress, think, etc in ways that shun the sin we used to be in and glorify our husband, Jesus, who died for us! 

Most rich folks have never known God in a salvational way. Most of they're choices are made in order to cater to their own flesh and bank accounts!

"Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy." 

The sabbath is the seventh day of the week (Saturday). In the Law of God, no work or business was to be conducted on this day. Jesus fulfilled the rest of the sabbath through his death, burial, and resurrection- and sending us his spirit as part of the new birth (Baptism of the Holy Ghost). I have another blog posting on this blog about enjoying the "rest of the sabbath" that explains this in detail:  https://theauthorspage.blogspot.com/2012/03/shalom-shabbath-enjoy-peace-of.html

Yet, if a person is not born again, he cannot fulfill this commandment. Most rich business owners have never been born again and cannot fulfill this commandment in either their own lives or in their company. 

However, there was a time when businesses were closed on Sunday in honor of Jesus's resurrection and to allow employees time to worship Jesus and spend time with their families. Most businesses are now open 7 days a week and as close to 24 hours a day as they possibly can in order to chase their god- money. 

But in the rich young ruler's day, businesses were to be closed on Saturday (the sabbath). Did Jesus leave this commandment out as well because he wasn't following it, either? 

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's...(anything)" 

It's okay to have things. It's good to have a godly wife. It's good to have a home. And many other things. 

Yet, one of the natures of business is to grow and acquire more things. More facilities. More products. A larger market share. And, ultimately, a larger profit.

How many business deals have been done in society (and by the rich young ruler) that were done in the name of growing the business- that actually hurt many people. There is no being content with what we have. We've got to have more. 

How many business ventures have been made by marrying the owner in order to gain control of the company? How many wives have been dumped in favor of a new wife in order to solidify the growth of the business? How many political deals have been made the same way? 

Verse 22: Jesus hears his answer and gives him a way to make everything right in his life. He basically gave him the same command he had given the 12 Disciples, "Follow me!" But, he added a stipulation:

"Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."

Imagine someone telling Donald Trump or Bill Gates, "You've spent your whole life amassing this huge fortune. You've made business deals by many means, some good and some evil. You've buried most of your competition and are on top of the world! But, if you truly want to make heaven and be right with God, Go and sell it all, give it all away so you will be dirt poor, and come follow me." 

That's basically what he told the rich ruler. Nevermind your business acumen. Forget all the backroom wheeling and dealing. Give it all away and I will give you the eternal life you seek. You've got to totally submit to me. 

Verse 23: The rich young ruler was offered a chance to be an Apostle! He could've been in the upper room on the day of Pentecost! He could've helped to baptize the 3000 souls that were added to the church that day! He could've preached to thousands, cast out devils, healed the sick, raised the dead, helped thousands to become born again and live for Jesus!

Instead, with his mind blown and his heart broken, the fake smile gone from his face, he walks away from God almighty. All because he'd rather have his current life than the eternal life that Jesus was offering. 

Did you ever wonder what happened to him? Did he even keep up with Jesus after this incident? Did Jesus' words haunt him for the rest of his days? 

I believe the Lord showed me the answer today. As my wife and I were listening to Mark 14 on a Bible app, I heard words I don't remember ever hearing before:

Mark 14:43-52 King James Version (KJV)

43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Yes, I know. This is Jesus in the Garden when Judas betrays him and the disciples flee the soldiers. We all know this story. But, notice verses 51 and 52. 

An unnamed man shows up after the arrest but before the trial. After the disciples flee, but before Peter's denial. Who was he? I believe this was the rich young ruler. 

How do I know? 

The first clue was in the phrase, "having a linen cloth..". The term linen cloth here, in the Greek, means "

1. linen cloth, esp. that which was fine and costly, in which the bodies of the dead were wrapped
2. thing made of fine cloth
1. of a light and loose garment worn at night over a naked body."

  

The second clue came from the same phrase: "having a linen cloth cast about his naked body."

Whoever this was, knew where this was going down. A nobody would've had no knowledge of what was happening. 

So, here's the scenario I believe happened. 

The rich young ruler rejected Jesus's offer, but he could never get Jesus's words and actions out of his mind. He probably kept men near Jesus and received regular reports. He periodically heard from his sources in government and the temple about Jesus' most recent sayings and activities. He heard of the plot to kill him. He may have even tried to work behind the scenes to try and reduce what they wanted to do to Jesus. 

But, this was a secret action by the Sanhedrin and the Governor. By the time the ruler was told what was going down by his informant, there was no time for talking to the governor or the Sanhedrin. His only hope was to get out of his bed and throw on his night garment of fine linen and run to the scene, hoping he could get there in time to use his influence to possibly stop the arrest. Having kept up with him, he knew Jesus often prayed in the garden of Gethsemene. His heart racing, he sprinted to the scene. 

To his horror, when he arrived, he was too late. The disciples were dispersed and Jesus was arrested. 

"and the young men laid hold on him:"

He wasn't even allowed to speak to Jesus. He was grabbed by some young men. It wasn't the disciples. They were Gone. It could only be part of the guards who grabbed him. 

"52 And he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked."

I can see a brief struggle. I can see the other guards pulling Jesus along. I can feel the young ruler's heart crashing as he realized not only could he do nothing, not only was his wealth and power worthless to help, but he might be in trouble just for showing up! He might have crossed a line! 

The guards have a firm grip on his nightclothes, so he wriggles out and runs away. Naked and afraid. 

What happened after that? Was he arrested? Did he lose everything he had clung too for so long as important? Or, was he among the 3000 newborn souls on the day of Pentecost?

 We don't know. But, he had a choice just like we do. Do we abandon everything to serve the God of the universe who created us, became human for us, died for us, defeated death, hell, and the grave for us, and sent back his spirit for us?

Or, do we hold onto our "stuff" and refuse to totally submit to Jesus? 

It's our choice. What do we do? 

Acts 2:37-38 King James Version (KJV)

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The endtimes and the LGBT movement.

2 Timothy 3:13

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Luke 17:28-29 King James Version (KJV)

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

What I'm about to write will not be popular in some circles, but it needs to be said. I'm 52 years old. I've seen a lot of changes in the world in my lifetime. Television, Computers, Cars, Trucks, Airplanes, etc have all become much more advanced and have improved greatly. The cell phones most of us carry have more computing power and are more accessible than computers that used to fill whole buildings in the 1960's. 

To find information 50 years ago, a person would have to go from library to library. There they could spend weeks, or even months, researching information that we can now find at the click of a mouse on our home computers- and in a matter of minutes. 

But, it seems the more technologically advanced we become, the more morally depraved we become. 

It used to be that if a politician said something, you could take it to the bank that they'd attempt to do what they said they would do. Now, they usually say what we want to hear to get elected and then go to Washington and do what they want to do (or what the lobbyist want them to do).  

Abortion used to be considered murder by most people. Now, they consider it a Constitutional right. 

50 years ago, if a man were gay, or a woman a lesbian, they was something very, very wrong with them in the eyes of society. Now, judges try to punish Christians who stand against their lifestyles. Also, the LGBT community is now starting to add a new letter- the letter P. They are embracing pedophilia (an adult having sex with a child), as normal. Worse, they're trying to make the rest of us accept it as normal, too.  

The world has gone crazy for sure. 

Unfortunately, according to scripture in 2 Timothy 3 and Luke 17, it's going to get far worse. 

But, what did Jesus mean when he said "as it was in the days of Lot, so shall it be in the days of the coming of the son of man?"

Well, all we can do is look at part of Lot's life and see what can be gleaned from there. 

The relevant passage begins in Genesis 19. A few things can be gleaned from this passage:  

According to verse 1, we are told that Lot "sat in the gates of Sodom." This didn't just mean that he was hanging out at the city gates. To be known as sitting in the gates of the city, in biblical phrasing, meant that you were actually a part of the city government and would sit with city elders to make community decisions together (Esther 2:19-23, 3:1-4; Psalms 31:23). So, Lot was a part of the government of the city-state known as Sodom. 

In verses 1-3, Lot meets the 2 angels and implores them to stay in his house for the night. In fact, verse 3 says that he "pressed them greatly" to do so. Why was he so insistent upon them to stay with him, rather than sleep in the streets as they said they planned to do? The next verses explain it. 

Verses 4-5 state that the local men of the city showed up banging on Lot's door. What did they want? They wanted Lot to bring the men out that they might "know" them. 

This was not a shaking hands over a BBQ grill event. Scripturally, when Adam married Eve and they consummated their marriage, it says "Adam knew Eve." No, these men were not asking simply to meet the angels and talk. They wanted to have sex- homosexual sex- with these angels. This is further proven by Lot's statement in verses 7-8, where he implores the men to not do so wickedly and even offers the seemingly less wicked opportunity to rape 2 of his daughters! 

It gets worse, as the men begin to attack Lot (again, a government official) because he wouldn't bring the angels out. They brazenly tell him that they are going to do to him what they had planned to do to the angels!

Not one time did Lot attempt to arrest the men, or even threaten to have the men arrested. Evidently, the laws of the city were so much on the side of the homosexuals that this would not have even been a possibility. In other words, though Lot thought of homosexuality as immoral, it apparently was not only legal, but it was protected by the law of the land. This is evidenced by the brazen acts of the city men who were trying to attack Lot and the angels. 

These men were so sick-headed that even after the Angels blinded them, they still felt around themselves, looking for Lot and the Angels, in an attempt to finish the ungodly acts that they planned to do! (verse 11)

Look at the direction the world is going, friends. First it was just gays. Then, it was gays and lesbians. Then, it became the LGBT movement. Then the government started trying to force us to accept their ungodly lifestyle as normal- even trying to make it okay for anyone to use the bathroom of their choice. Now, they've added a P to it because we're supposed to accept Pedophilia as normal. 

Really? 

Unfortunately, it's going to get even worse. Jesus said the world would be so ungodly when he returns that it will look like Sodom and Gomorrah. It was legal AND protected there. A government official didn't have the power to stand up against it when they were threatening to rape his guests! 

We are fast heading down that road. 

So what do we do? Give in?

NO!!

We stand against evil with every breath. We stand up for righteousness until the end. Some of us will pay dearly for doing so. But, in the end, if we will fight the good fight to the bitter end, it will be worth it to hear Jesus say, WELL DONE!!!       

I stand at the door and knock: But on who's door? The lesson of Laodicea.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.

The music is playing. People's heads are bowed and eyes closed. Many are already praying for themselves and for others. The preacher says:

"These altars are open." He pauses, then continues, "Jesus said, I stand at the door and knock. If any man will open the door, I will come into him." Another pause. "Don't you want to dine with Jesus? Don't you want him to come in?" 

All the while the singers softly sing," Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling. Calling Oh Sinner, come home." 

The implication is clear to everyone listening. Jesus would only be knocking on the door of a sinners heart. Real Christians don't have to worry about it cause he's already there.

I'm all for using scripture to try and convince people to come to Jesus. But, the scriptures MUST be used in the context in which they were written. 

Let's look at that section of scripture in its totality.

Revelation 3:14-21King James Version (KJV)

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Was this section written to people who have never known God? NO!!!

This section was written to THE CHURCH!!!

Read it. If ever a section of scripture applied to the modern church this is it. 

Church used to be all about Jesus. It was all about accomplishing his great commission. It was all about showing kindness and love to others. It was all about giving to others and helping others. 

In times past, people in need could go to a church and the ministry there (both the leaders and the members) would reach out with the love of God and lend a helping hand. This show of love would draw the person (or persons) to come and "give the church a try." 

Once there, they would visibly see and hear the love of God in action towards each other in the church. The love was genuine. It wasn't an act. They saw the hands of Jesus vividly on display before their very eyes. 

This would solidify in their minds that they wanted to be like that. In trying to find out how to be like that, they were open to Compassionate Bible studies that lovingly showed them the truth. The truth that all were born in sin and shapen in iniquity. The truth that "without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." The truth that God himself became a man and shed his own blood to redeem a lost and dying world. The truth that we all need to be born again for 2 reasons: 1) to wash our sins away. 2) to begin the journey to become like Jesus by letting Jesus live through us. The truth that once you're born again (Acts 2:38), you are a child of God and enabled to show his love and be his hands and feet to others. And you wanted to because you wanted to be the helper for others that your fellow church folk were to you. They showed you Jesus in real and palpable ways. Now, you wanted to do the same. 

That's how it used to be. 

But, Jesus told the Apostles that in the end times "the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24) 

As a newborn child of God, I (and the church in general) used this scripture to talk about the state of "the world." The great unwashed and unregenerate mass of people out there that were in dire need of saving. 

Little did we know that Jesus was also (and primarily?) referring to the church. 

The church now tends to look down its noses at the unwashed masses. If someone comes to the church that's in need, they are looked upon with skepticism, and sometimes even open hostility. If they happen to receive help and then return to the church thinking that they may actually have found a group of caring people to possibly belong to, they are told in no uncertain terms (and sometimes from the pulpit), that if they came back because they received help from the church, they should not look for more in the future.

 The message they receive quickly becomes that the church only wants people who can help the church do what it wants. The church is not interested in those who will be "a burden" on the church. 

All the while, Jesus is crying. He came to the church's door and knocked. And the church is leaving him outside the very same doors. 

The church has grown lukewarm. It revels in its riches and finery (calling gain-unbiblically- godliness). It builds ever bigger and more immaculate sanctuaries. It becomes state of the art with all the latest tech gizmos and gadgets. The leadership is all dressed in fine clothing, drive nice vehicles, and live in fine houses. 

But, the people they are called to serve and be the hand of Jesus to are left unserved and unwashed in his blood. 

The modern church, for all its fancy finery, is a shell of what the Bible teaches. 

A real relationship is replaced by religious activity. 

Real help is replaced by pious prayers and government programs. 

Real brotherhood is replaced by "fellowship breakfasts" and fishing trips. 

No one aches for the lost. No one agonizes over the hurting brethren. In fact, testimonies of God's goodness are limited to comfortable subjects. Former drug addicts aren't allowed to tell where God brought them from. The testimony could get too messy and long.

Services are limited to a certain time period because we all have to get to the buffet before the church down the road does. 

Almost nobody has dinner on the grounds anymore, and if they do, they charge people a fee to partake of the very food the people brought. Why? To help with "the building fund."

People are asked to give sacrificially to help fix the bathroom (even though there's nothing wrong with the bathroom) up to be as nice as the bishop's bathroom in his church. Give to build a game room for the youth. But, no one is asked to give to help a needy family in the area- or even in the church. 

The church truly has become, as predicted in Revelations 3, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. 

 JESUS is calling on the modern church to REPENT!!!!!

Become zealous for the love of God again. Become zealous to see a lost and dying world saved again. Let Jesus work through you again, before it's too late!!!!

Church, the door Jesus is knocking on is yours. Will you open it again? Will you allow him to cleanse and change you into what he has called you to be? 

Or will you hold on to your pride and position, your fine things, and your religion? And will you follow these attitudes to a fiery lake- just like the other Pharisees before you? 

Repent church! Before it's too late. 

Doctrine is important. Holiness is necessary. But, Jesus didn't say that the world would know us by our doctrines or by what we call holiness. 

Jesus said they would know us by our agape': our unconditional love for each other and for them. 

Let's get back to that! 

For too long we have believed that the way to catch the fish we are supposed to be fishing for is through the hook of doctrine. Either that or by our separate ways of dress, etc. 

But, those things are not the hook he gave us to fish with. The hook he's given us to fish with is love. And when they feel the love of God coming through us in our words and deeds, then they will ask questions and can be shown doctrine. Because only then will they want what we have. 

Just trudging along.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

I had a rather long day today. I began my work at 5:15 AM and finished around 7:10 PM. During that time, I delivered my company's product to 18 stores. Parts of the day seemed to go swiftly. Other parts dragged on for eternity. 

But, the bottom line was that my job needed to be done and I was the only one available today to do it. So, when it felt as if the day was never going to end, I simply kept on going. I worked one store at a time until they were all done. 

Why does this matter? 

Think of it as an allegory to our walk with God and our time on earth. 

We are all here for a purpose. A purpose designed by our creator to accomplish. A purpose that only we can accomplish (with God's help, of course). 

So, how do we do it? How do we finish our race and accomplish what he desires for us? 

One step at a time. One task at a time. One day at a time. 

Think of Noah. Noah was 500 years young when the Lord spoke to him (and him alone) and ordered him to build a ship so large that it's dimensions couldn't be matched until the 20th century. 

We are never told that God spoke to him again until he was about to destroy the earth. 

This occurred when he was 600 years old. 

Noah endured 100 years of waiting. 100 years of backbreaking work. 100 years of pain, confusion, doubt, and mockery. 

Yet, he still continued on. One log at a time. One bucket of pitch at a time. One broken saw at a time. 

How frustrated did he get? We're not told. Whatever his attitude in the ensuing 100 years, he got the job done. 

Peter calls him a "preacher of righteousness." (2 Peter 2:5) Yet, we are never told of a single word he preached. 

Did he ever verbally preach? Probably. But, his greatest sermon was his life. He stayed the course. He finished his God-given project. One step at a time. 

A lesson we should all learn. Whether or not anyone outside our families ever know our name, we are to keep on keeping on. 

When times are good? Keep serving Jesus. In bad times? Keep serving Jesus. 

The greatest sermon we will ever utter, is the witness of our lives being lived for Jesus. Through the good and the bad. 

Just keep trudging along, and one day, a brave new world will open up to us. One day, the storm will be over and we will exit the boat to celebrate the future. 

Till then, lets just keep trudging along. One prayer at a time. One task at a time. Before we know it, we will be caught up with him in the sky- forever changed. 

As the old cartoon song once said, "Put one foot in front of the other..." The results will amaze us! 

Man's trash is God's precious treasure.

Humans love flashy things. Humans really enjoy pretty things.

Many have been the young people who have struggled with their self worth because they (in their own mind) do not measure up to the standards that Hollywierd, magazines, and the music industry say that they should.

Many are the husbands and wives who hang their heads in shame because their spouse doesn't think they are pretty enough, successful enough, or whatever other arbitrary standards they may expect them to meet.

Most of us are aware of these situations, but how about this one?

MANY are the Christians who are truly Acts 2:38 born again but were not raised up in Apostolic truth. They have sorted events in their past, but they lose the joy of their salvation because the Apostolic church looks down on them for the very pasts that Jesus died to forgive them for!

They are told "We love you. God loves you. He wants you to be born again and become a part of his bride." All of this is true!

Yet, somehow, after their new birth, they begin to receive subtle signals from the "in crowd" of the church. They are accepted as long as they show up to the church, support the church with their money and physical efforts, and do as their told. But, when the spirit really begins to move on them, watch out! When God begins to call them to sing for him, teach for him, preach for him, all of a sudden they are told, in essence, "you ain't good enough!"

Rather than being encouraged to follow the leading of the Lord, they are discouraged because they don't have a spotless past. Therefore, the religious Apostolic establishment looks down their long noses at them and tries to make them get back in their spot and shut their mouths.

They soon realize that the only thing the established church really wants them for is to be a number on the pew, financially support the "work of God," and be a worker ant when something needs to be done around the church building. They are to leave the "work of God," to the truly holy people of God. Their testimony is not needed or wanted by these people that supposedly love them. Their gifts and callings are not wanted unless the all-knowing "leadership" decides to call them out.

I have a word for the church. YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR MISTREATMENT OF GOD'S LAMBS. The ones you look down on (with your attitude) as being less than you because of your long line of Apostolic pedigree, are the very ones Jesus died for to make them spotless!

You've become so caught up in "your holiness," that you cannot see the hurt and pain you cause. You are so caught up in who you are, that you look down on those that you claim to minister to.

If some of them leave your church (due to how they've been treated), you call them backsliders. If they try to start another work to help others who've been wounded like they were, you do everything in your power to destroy their reputations and call them cancer. And you use the very past that God redeemed them from to do it!

Shame on you! You have become a pit of vipers! REPENT, before it is too late!

And a word to the masses that have been wounded.

God does love you! God WILL use you! Start looking for others like yourself. The Apostolic doctrines of One God, Acts 2:38 salvation, and holiness are true. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Hold on to the truth. Find each other and do what the organized church refuses to do: love each other and help to heal each other.

And once your sufficiently healed from your wounds, reach out to a lost and dying world with the love of God. Reach out to others who are in the same boat the church put you in, and help to heal them, too.

Remember, Man's trash is God's precious treasure.

He chose Israel because they were THE LEAST, not because they were the greatest. The word of God is FULL of people who were truly bad people and God changed their lives for the betterment of millions of people!

Moses was a murderer, but God used him to deliver a nation.

David was an adulterer, but God used him to slay the evil nations around him and solidify his kingdom.

Matthew was a turncoat and a tax collector for an evil regime, but he left it all behind to become one of the Apostles of Jesus!

Saul was a religious zealot who ordered the deaths of multitudes of Christians, but he became the greatest evangelist in history when God met him on the road to Damascus.

John Mark left the mission field, but came back and wound up writing the gospel of Mark!

The list goes on and on.

Don't let folks tell you that you are not good enough for God to use! When you are born again, the scripture declares that "ALL things are made new!"

The past that the religious elite tries to use against you is GONE! It has been washed away by the blood of Jesus!

If you've fallen since you were born again, the scripture declares that if you repent, he will "cleanse you of ALL unrighteousness." So repent, get up, and go on for Jesus.

Don't let the organized church grind you to dust. Get up and BE the church.

The end-time revival won't come from the organized church. Instead, it will come from the true church that simply loves and lets God use them how he sees fit.

You are NOT trash! You are God's precious treasure!

You are bought with a price. Let your owner use you how he sees fit.

Exodus 4:11

And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

Was (and is) Jesus really a pacifist?

John 18:10-11King James Version (KJV)

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

There has been a raging debate for centuries now. Some say that the people of God should never take up weapons for any reason. Some say that we should protect what we love- just as Jesus protects his church. 

The passage listed above has been used by many to "prove" that Jesus was against his people using weapons. But, is that true? Was Jesus the pacifist that many try and portray him to be? 

First of all, a careful look at this passage shows that Peter was, in fact, NOT rebuked for using a weapon. Indeed, in Luke 22:34-39, Jesus tells his disciples to buy a sword because things are about to get crazy. Would a true pacifist say this? 

Here, in John, Peter- wanting to protect the Lord he loves- pulls his sword and attacks one of the men who have been sent to capture Jesus. Jesus doesn't rebuke him for the sword. He doesn't tell him to throw away his sword and become a pacifist. Rather Jesus tells him to put his weapon away for now. The real rebuke is in the next statement. Jesus explains to Peter that in his actions, he was standing in the way of the holy plans of God almighty. In other words, Peter was told to stand down and  let God's plan play out. But, Peter was not told to become a pacifist. 

But, what about Jesus' other teachings? 

Yes, he told us to "turn the other cheek," but cheek is not plural, it's singular So, how many times are we to allow ourselves to be slapped? Yes, Jesus took lots of stripes, many punches, a crown of thorns, two nails, lots of insults, and a spear in his side. But, this was also on his way to redeeming us. He was the Lamb of God. He had to be slaughtered and his blood shed in order to buy our redemption. 

On the other hand, when Jesus saw the ungodliness of the money changers in the temple, he made a whip and used it! He beat the money changers, let loose the animals, turned over tables, etc. He was a one man wrecking crew! Was this the actions of a pacifist? I think not. 

Some point to Matthews account in Matthew 26: 51-54 and say, "See, we are supposed to be pacifistic. Jesus says if we take up a weapon, we will die by that weapon." Is that what he really said? The context of the verse shows again that Jesus didn't say there was never a time for us to use a weapon. Indeed, Ecclesiastes 3:8 says there IS a time for war. 

But, in Matthew he tells Peter (unnamed in this scripture) to a) put up his sword (a pacifistic Jesus would have told him to throw away his sword). Evidently, there was a use for the sword at a later time. This was just not the right time or reason.  

B) He tells Peter, "don't you know I have the authority and power to stop all this right now?" (My paraphrase). In Johns account of this, when Jesus told the soldiers that "I am he," his words released enough power to knock them
all to the ground. He then used that show of power to make sure that his disciples were free to go. The clear implication to his captors being that "I am allowing you to take me, but I will protect my followers if you don't let them go." 

C) He then tells Peter that if he did stop it by going to war (as Peter was trying to do), then God's plan for the salvation of man could not happen. 

The correction against Peter was not that he used a sword. The correction against Peter, again, was that he was interfering in the salvation of mankind at that moment. The timing was wrong, not the fighting.

In truth, Jesus was fighting a spiritual war for our souls. A war in which he gave his life for us. 

Paul tells us to love our wives as Jesus loved the church and died for us. A man who is not willing to fight (and die, if necessary) for his wife and family to protect them is not a Christian man and doesn't truly love his family as Christ loves the church. 

There are many warrior word pictures painted for our instruction in the Bible. 

Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about putting on the "whole armour of God." Yes, it's a spiritual lesson, but, if the spiritual lesson is true, then isn't the physical picture he's using to teach by also true? Shouldn't we, as men of God, be willing to literally go to war to protect our loved ones? 

Romans 13:4 recognizes the validity of the governments armed forces and police. Are Christians supposed to be wimps and not take part in those institutions? 

Indeed, 1 Timothy 6:12 states that we should, "fight the good fight of faith." If we are to be willing to spiritually fight, shouldn't we be willing to physically fight if the situation warrants it? 

Yes, we are told to "resist not evil," but that's the same passage that tells us to turn the other cheek. But, also, how do we square this with the command to "resist the devil"- the ultimate evil? Evidently, as Ecclesiastes says, "there's a time for every purpose under heaven." 

So, how do we know when to fight and when not to fight? By following Jesus. If he tells us to fight, we fight. If he tells us not to fight, then we take what comes. HE, not we, is the ultimate arbiter of justice and he decides when we do or don't fight- and how we fight. 

How many times in scripture does God tell his people to fight? MANY times. The God of the Old Testament became flesh in the New Testament to pay for our sins and make a way for us to have a relationship with him. But, he hasn't changed. Sometimes he will tell US to act. Sometimes he will tell us to let HIM act. 

But, we MUST be willing to fight- in whatever form he tells us to. Whether that fight is spiritual, or physical, or both, is entirely up to him. 

There are dark days ahead. If we aren't willing to stand and fight, who will? 

But, Jesus is no pacifist. And neither should we be.