Did Jesus have phobias?

In today’s Westernised society Jesus would be considered intolerant, unloving and a threat to community cohesion. There would be those today who would class him with some type of phobia because of His views. Look at some of His teaching as recorded in the gospels.

Jesus gave the act of adultery a very narrow dimension. To look on someone with lustful purposes will receive a judicial sentence. Also Christ’s view on marriage as between a man and a woman is downright disturbing to same-sex relationship advocates. What hackles must arise when people hear His words quoted about the ‘Broad and Narrow ways and how one equals destruction while the other leads to life. Especially when Jesus declared He is ‘the Way the Truth and the Life’ and without Him heaven is shut.

Child abuse is rampant as our papers sadly report, especially on those who should be protectors of children. Jesus is unmerciful in His condemnation of such people. It would be better for them to jump in the lake with a huge millstone around their neck than perpetrate such acts. What verdict awaits them before the great white throne on judgement day! Forgiveness is possible, but only if the fruits of repentance are evident.

As you read the Gospels it is clear Jesus is scathing of those who use His name, his service to make themselves rich, exploit the widow and orphans, corrupt the Word of God and lead people astray. His words are ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evil doers.’ In Matthew 23 are words directed to the religious (fraudulent) leaders. Make no mistake, they are harsh words. ‘Hypocrites, blind leaders, fools, whitewashed tombs, snakes and vipers’ are His descriptions for such people. Then consider His upturning of trading tables of those in the temple precincts who were fleecing worshippers and selling blemished animals.

To look at such a list, and more could be added, would give the impression that Jesus was a narrow minded bigot, unloving and vindictive. Was He expressing His phobias by such condemnation? In reality the opposite is the truth. His words and actions were from a heart of love and compassion. He was warning such people then and now about an eternal tragedy which awaited unless they changed their ways. Love made Jesus act and speak. Silence would have been easier, safer for Him but deadly for those in such a lifestyle and ungodly activities. The bible is unwavering in stating that there is a judgement day already set and all must appear before it. There is but one avenue of being pardoned.

Jesus experienced peoples’ judgement, the nice and respectable peoples’ ungodliness as well as the rebellious and depraved. That is the message of the Cross! His request to the Father to “forgive them for they know not what they do” offered a new beginning. That requires a commitment of a person’s life to Jesus Christ as the risen Lord and Saviour. It requires a recognition of a life offensive to God and deep sorrow for it. It requires a new lifestyle based upon spiritual, moral and ethical values in harmony with the Holy Scriptures.

When that takes place a number of things happen. To highlight just two: One is a sense of joy under the smile of God. On the negative side you discover many in society and even amongst your family or friends your decision is threatening and unsettling. As you begin to live out and share your new faith and lifestyle you will be labelled as bigoted, racist, unloving and much more. That’s alright, you are in good company for that's how they consider Jesus. But if you seek to cover your faith and want to dabble in a previous lifestyle you are actually hating your accusers. Silence is more of a hate crime against them than sharing your faith. Sure, your words are to be flavoured by grace and your actions with mercy, but the ‘new you’ must begin to emerge. Jesus never authorised His followers to take punitive action against those who lived contrary to His laws. Instead He urged His people to pray for them and express compassion. A far cry from the ideology which kills infidels for a whole number of lifestyle choices.

In the Church’s early days to be called a follower of the Nazarene was considered as an insult, a derogatory term. Christians wore it as an emblem of honour. We are fast approaching a similar scenario. However, Jesus forewarned His disciples about the tough times ahead. His promise remains true for us today, “I am with you always” and “I have overcome the World” plus “I go to prepare a place for you.”

©Ray Hawkins July 2016.

                                              

The Erosion of Christendom

 

Toowoomba street after erosian by flood water.

Erosion is the effect of wind and rain gradually wearing away or eating into a landscape. Also, it can happen by an unknown, unattended underground slow leak.  Suddenly, a sinkhole opens up and swallows houses or other property. Combatting the ill effects of this ‘eating and wearing away’ is huge and costly.

Within the Western sphere, which is predominately Christian, there is a moral and spiritual erosion taking place. It is happening on the visible, but more insidiously, in the unseen realms of Christendom. This eating away at the very fabric of Christian faith and the wearing-away of Biblical morality has been going on for decades.

In a face to face debate Christian apologists in moral, scientific, educational and relational realms more than hold their own. To counteract the authority of Scripture and its support for absolute Truth and righteousness eroding tactics began to take place. Innocent sounding terms began to appear which were designed to cause sinkholes to collapse confidence in Scripture and debase Christian values. Evolutionary theories were tolerated and ultimately usurped Biblical teaching in many Denominations. So many Christians didn’t take notice. Those who did and spoke up about impending dangers were resisted even by fellow believers. It wasn’t nice or ‘Christian’ to make others feel uncomfortable. It was viewed as being intolerant, unscientific even though the effects of this ‘sinkholes’ were evident.

Now what are we facing? Erosion of Christian marriage by the same-sex advocates, even within the Church scene. The safe school program which is really a grooming plan for sex. Put that alongside the push for various views on Gender and the use of change rooms and toilets for how you think you are at that moment. What a great opportunity for perverts. Why is there this erosion of what our Lord plainly said ‘in the beginning God made them male and female?’ The moment a voice is raised against these ridiculous programs lawsuits and anti-discrimination slurs are thrown-up.  Unbelief by many who hold positions of leadership within the Church is also an issue. This is nothing new. It is much wider today due to the ease of technology and the infiltration of false teachers though such media.

It intrigues me how the deceit of Islam is either ignore of accepted. To simply quote what their books state, refer to past or current history is to have Islamophobia. Yet, it is okay to discriminate, insult or make hefty fines against Christians who hold fast to their belief system. Free speech is the result of past heroes within Christendom. Today it’s being bullied into silence by deceit and threats. To appease some from different cultures and belief systems, nice tolerant and probably half-interested Christians accept downgrading Christmas and Easter recognitions. Certain businesses, begun by Christians, have sold out to Halal. Have they been bribed? Bullied? Or is the dollar more valued that Christ. CEO’s should think that through in the light of Matthew 16:26. Gaining the whole world but losing your soul is to lose everything.

People should not judge a political or religious group according to how well liked or disliked a person from such a group happens to be. Check out their rules, their belief system. That is what will ultimately dominate their behaviour when they have ascendency. Sharia law is Islam’s principle. How it gets there is by masquerade and force. Cast your eyes around the globe and behold it at work.

Can the Church survive? Yes! Christ declared it would. Will it suffer? It is already in certain countries. It will happen here unless or because we take a stand for Biblical truth, righteousness and godly relationships. Politicians in many parties have been hypnotised by anti-Christian forces. Those who have their eyes open are slandered and misrepresented in media and personal threats. Pray for our, your country and the politicians who stand for truth and morality. Otherwise, what proverbs says about a country dominated by the ungodly will sweep over us. Wickedness kills faith, morality and the social fabric of a Christian influenced community. May God give us courage to remain true.

©Ray Hawkins April 2016.

No Soft Option

Prior to entering Bible College I’d been a labourer in a small light steel, fabrication factory. I was part of a team that primarily erected railings, gates, balustrades, fences. We worked on houses, high rise apartments and office blocks. There was no need for me to join a health and fitness centre. On hearing my decision to enter the ministry my non-churched workmates chided me I was accused of taking the soft option to earn a living.

Soft Option! Compared to the demands of the ministry, it was easier to carry steel panels up flights of stairs. Physical muscle power is easily seen. Spiritual muscle is out of sight, especially to men and women similar to the ones with whom I’d worked. The New Testament writers didn’t use terms such as ‘soldier, bond-slave, wrestler and athlete’ lightly in regards to the ministry. Within each description there’s the demand for self-discipline and obedience. This may be as a Coach, General or Master who seek to prepare the disciple with the rules of engagement.

Consider the following quotes and try and work out where the ‘soft option’ is hiding. ‘Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.’ 1 Corinthians 9:25–26.

‘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 realm.’ Ephesians 6:12

‘Timothy, my son…fight the good fight holding onto faith and a good conscience.’ 1 Timothy 1:18, 19.

‘Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.’ 1Timothy 6:20.

This is a feature much required today. There are systematic attempts to pervert the teachings of God's Word. There are subtle undermining of Scripture's authority over the Church and the believer. Individual believers need to know and uphold its message and lifestyle. Those commissioned to positions of service need to guard the Truth once and for all time delivered.

In the short letter of Jude this servant of Jesus Christ called upon Christians to contend for the faith entrusted once and for all time to the saints. If the ordinary member of the Body of Christ is so called what is expected of the men and women called into ministry? Jude is a call to intolerance. There is a cut off point for patience and ‘being nice.’ What is that point? When the Name of the Lord Jesus is being used as a cover for greed and perversion; when the disciples of Christ are being corrupted; when worship and communion are being desecrated, that’s when!

This doesn’t allow the servant of Jesus to act ungraciously, viciously or intemperately. It means standing firm for the Truth and Holiness of Jesus. It means defending the integrity of His calling. It means unmasking those who have slithered into leadership positions whilst denying the Lordship of Jesus. History past and present reveals such a stand is costly. Such godless characters use their cunning, charisma and corruption to resist the Truth and cower the opposition.

Jude’s advice is simple and sublime. He informed the reader about protection from the infectious plague carried by the devil’s disciples. ‘Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.’ Verses 20, 21. Only then can the true man and woman of God be equipped to confront the peddlers of lies, corruption and deceit.

Among Paul’s last recorded words to Timothy is a reminder that ministry is no soft option. There is also a triumphant declaration worthy of any tombstone inscription. ‘But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have finished the race, I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…’ 2 Timothy 4:5–8.