Episode 37 - Wile E. Coyote and Church Attendance

My favorite cartoon of all time is Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner.  I can remember getting up early on Saturday morning as a kid to watch cartoons.  I could not wait for the Roadrunner.  

I asked my 22 year old daughter who Wile E Coyote and the Roadrunner were and she had no clue.  It seems like I have failed in part of my parenting.  I was about to say that most of you would know what I was talking about, but I guess I need to say that you have to be in your 30s or older to remember this cartoon.

In each episode, the cunning, devious and constantly hungry coyote repeatedly attempts to catch and subsequently eat the Road Runner, but is unsuccessful in catching the Road Runner except on only extremely rare occasions. Instead of his animal instincts, the coyote uses absurdly complex contraptions to try to catch his prey, which comically backfire, with the coyote often getting injured in slapstick fashion. Many of the items he uses are mail-ordered from a variety of companies implied to be part of the Acme Corporation.

One running gag involves the coyote trying, in vain, to shield himself with a little parasol against a great falling boulder that is about to crush him. Another involves him falling from high cliffs, after momentarily being suspended in midair—as if the fall is delayed until he realizes that there is nothing below him. The rest of the scene, shot from a bird's-eye view, shows him falling into a canyon so deep that his figure is eventually lost to sight, with only a small puff of dust indicating his impact.

In one of the episodes, Wile E. tries to lift a boulder out from the ground using a crowbar as a type of lever. When the crowbar gets wedged under the boulder, Wile E. tries jumping on the upper fulcrum position of the crowbar. However, when he does, the boulder gets launched up in the air and then lands Wile E, crushing him.  When he pushes the boulder off, his body is like the bellow section of an accordion and he makes the same type of sound when he walks.  

Yes, I will admit it is a slap-stick type of humor, which most people would not find amusing, but it always brings a smile to my face.

Of course this episode of the podcast is not all about Wile E. Coyote and the roadrunner.  When I thought about the episode I just described, I began to think about the fulcrum that the coyote used to wedge the crowbar against.  

You remember what a fulcrum is right?  It is the pivot point or prop about which a lever turns. It's like a hinge or support. On a see-saw, it is the hinge in the middle that the see-saw balances on.

In a figurative sense of the word, it has a meaning of something that is essential. Simply put, in a figurative sense, the fulcrum would be the main thing or that thing which everything balances on.  

Sometimes I sit in church with the realization that for a lot of folks, and when I say a lot of folks, I mean the vast majority, think the center point of the Christian walk with Jesus is building attendance. We have been raised to make church that "can't miss" thing of the Christian walk.  

I am trying to teach myself the correct biblical language on this subject because biblically speaking, we do not GO to church.  the Bible clearly states that people who have placed their faith in Christ ARE the church.  We cannot go to something that we are!

I need to clarify something before I go any further, because many people are good at hearing what I don't say.  Don't hear what is not being said in this podcast.  Listen to what is being said.  The only text that most preachers and even church people will use is Hebrews 10:25 where the author says that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. 

I agree that this is a command to meet with other believers, but this is NOT the main thing we are to do, yet so many Christians use this as that one thing to determine if a person is walking with the Lord.  Can I tell you something today?  There are many people who attend the building who do not have a close relationship with the Lord.  There are even people who attend the building who are lost and on their way to hell.  

In evangelicalism, the practical disciplines of the spiritual life are:

Go to church, read your bible, and pray daily.  If you want bonus points:

Go to Sunday School and serve in a ministry of the church.  Do not get me wrong, these are wonderful expressions of the Christian life, but they are peripherals, not the fulcrum!!

The church building is not the centerpiece of your walk with Jesus and if it is, you need to repent of idolatry.

You can’t sit in church and say… “YES! This is it.” Attending church as a passive action, which most church goers do, is not active participation, anymore than watching football on TV is the same as playing in the game. Jesus didn’t come so you could go to church.

He didn’t tear the veil between the Holy of Holies and the people so you could attend a service. That’s a foundational misunderstanding in the person and action of Christ.

It really irritates me how people will act like others are not “good Christians” because they don't make it to church much.  I see posts on Facebook and other social media platforms all the time where people posting about church attendance in the most condescending manner, basically telling others they aren't good Christians because they don't' attend the building.  News flash, the thief on the cross never attended a worship service a day in his life.

Again, don't hear what I am not saying.  I'm not saying we shouldn't meet together, but did you know I can do that on a Tuesday with three of my Christian friends where we talk about the Lord and read scripture together?

We have this westernized view of worship service.  Did you know there are church gatherings all over this planet that still meet in houses? Where do we get this idea that a person is less of a Christian or not right with GAWD because they don't come to the same building we go to at the same time we go?

We are not accepted by God by our building attendance.  Me attending the building or gathering no more makes me acceptable to God than dressing up a monkey in a three-piece suit, handing him a Bible and a tambourine, and then setting him on the front row, makes him acceptable to God.

Our hearts have to be right, no matter where we are at. This is what’s most important to God, our hearts. Does Jesus dwell there? Is it brand new? 

Every Sunday morning millions of people get ready for church. They put on their best clothes and head off to a geographical location to learn about God and worship Him. But really, it doesn’t matter where the actual church-going Christian is physically. God is much more interested in us understanding what kind of church we are—you and I. Luke even penned what Paul said about this, in Acts 17:24:

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands”

Friend, we house His Spirit at all times (see 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19)–but do we show the world who Jesus really is through us? Or are we thinking that God is giving us a gold star for driving our rears to the nearest church building and sitting there for an hour?

Can we get really honest? I've said this in many messages throughout the years.  Some of the meanest people on the planet go to church! Some of the meanest acting, most unloving people I know attend the building.

They say things like.....“Well…if they don’t go to church then they just ain’t Christian.”

“BACKSLIDERS! You better get back into church if you don’t want to go to hell!”

You know what I want to say to some of these people in response to the things they say?  “So what! You don’t show it! Show me Jesus! If going to church makes me like you, then you can keep it! I don’t want to be like you at all!”

We place so much importance on church attendance, but what about controlling your tongue? What about putting away pride and walking in humility? How loving are you towards those who you don't "go to church with?" Are you filled with the Spirit?  Do you show love? Joy? Peace? Gentleness? Meekness? Kindness? Self-control? 

Can I tell you something, if not, then it doesn't matter if you go to the church building every day!!

Friends, we gotta have change. We gotta change the way the world looks at church-going Christians! Church attendance means nothing if we don’t allow Christ to live through us. If we refuse to do this, then why are we going? We may as well sleep in or go fishing–or whatever. Be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to live through you! Be being the Church! LET HIM OUT OF YOU!!

Listen to me carefully, I'm all for meeting together to worship.  Go. Please go.  

Find one and get plugged in. You are a vital part of the body of Christ! But never find your identity in that building–or in what you do for the building. Find your identity in who lives in you! Why? Because YOU really are, His Church.

Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. In some churches giving is over-emphasized. I promise you I have been in churches before where all the preacher talks about is church attendance and tithing.  I want to let you know that I do not subscribe to the lie that God is going to get His money!!

As if God needs your money to accomplish His purposes.  Can I get a witness!  While I say this emphatically, this is also not a way to establish a lifestyle where a person never gives off their monies to the work of the Lord.  

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.

After the death of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, the New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says gifts should be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). “On the first day of the week let every one of you lay in store, as God has prospered him…….Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. 

Saints we are no longer under a mandated 10% tithe.  One of the things that has always bothered me is the mandate.  Listen to what 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says….

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let every man give according to the purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work.”  2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭8‬

How can we be under a mandated 10% and then Paul say under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we are to give as we purpose in our heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity? Saints if I have to give, if it is a command, then how can it be cheerful? How can it be out of a heart of love? No, he says give as you purpose in your heart, don’t do it grudgingly, and remember that you will reap what you sow.  He gives a reminder that if you give sparingly, then you will get sparingly. The opposite of that is true as well.

Although no tithe is demanded of the Christian, the New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the body of Christ. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter (James 1:5). Above all, offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. (2 Corinthians 9:7).

 Many of you may know who Stacy Abrams is. Honestly, I wish I didn't know who she was, but anyway.....

Stacy Abrams is an African American female running for governor of Georgia. She lost the bid for governor of Georgia in 2018 and never conceded the election. She has claimed until just recently that she was robbed and that she was the actual winner of the election and rightful governor. Of course now she has changed her tune and says she never claimed to be the winner.

Of course she lies so much she doesn't know the truth. that's true for all politicians, especially democrats. If you didn't know, just a couple of months ago, SCOTUS ruled in favor of states rights for abortion laws. In a majority decision, they ruled that it was up to the individual states as to whether or not abortions could be allowed.  In effect, it struck down Roe v Wade.

Since then, the left, women's rights activists, and all the crazies have come out in full force to protest that women's rights have been taken away.  Democrat politicians like Stacy Abrams are using abortion rights as campaign material to foster votes.

Just the other day in an interview with MSNBC, that abortion restrictions are at the root of voters' concerns about inflation.  Abrams's comment came after MSNBC's Mike Barnicle asked how she would alleviate Georgia voters' concerns about inflation, noting that abortion "nowhere reaches the level of interest of voters" as the increased cost of living.

"Let's be clear. Having children is why you're worried about your price for gas. It's why you’re concerned about how much food costs," Abrams responded. "For women, this is not a reductive issue. You can't divorce being forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy from the economic realities of having a child."

Did you get that? She said that women should be allowed to have abortions because of inflation. Being forced to have a baby would be too expensive in this time of great inflation.

Last month, she falsely claimed that a heartbeat heard at six weeks is "a manufactured sound designed to convince people that men have the right to take control of a woman's body."

I've often wondered why the things that are coming out of most politicians mouth's today make no sense whatsoever. Why is it that the solutions that are given to problems make no logical sense? Why is it that people truly believe that killing babies to save money is ok? Why is it that there are people out there who truly believe that a man can be a woman and vice versa?

The truth is that people who think contrary to the scripture, people who believe things that are in violation of God's word are lost. According to the scripture they are reprobates.  It is a result of a reprobate mind.

The phrase “reprobate mind” is found in Romans 1:28 in reference to those whom God has rejected as godless and wicked. They “suppress the truth by their wickedness,” and it is upon these people that the wrath of God rests (Romans 1:18).

Paul describes two men named Jannes and Jambres as those who “resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Timothy 3:8). Here the reprobation is regarding the resistance to the truth because of corrupt minds. In Titus, Paul also refers to those whose works are reprobate: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16). Therefore, the reprobate mind is one that is corrupt and worthless.

As we can see in the verses above, people who are classified as having a reprobate mind have some knowledge of God and perhaps know of His commandments. However, they live impure lives and have very little desire to please God. Those who have reprobate minds live corrupt and selfish lives. Sin is justified and acceptable to them. The reprobates are those whom God has rejected and has left to their own devices.

If you take a careful look at Romans 1 you will find that this is true of homosexuals, fornicators, idolators.....listen to the scripture.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

That last part just included a group of people who put their stamp of approval on those who are wicked. You might say, I'm not a homosexual, but I see nothing wrong with it. Guess what, you are included in Romans 1. You might say, I'm not a transgender, but we should allow people to have sex change operations if they want them, you know......they need to live happy lives and all....guess what, you are included in Romans 1.

If you put your stamp of approval on ungodliness, wickedness, homosexuality, abortion, the transgender lifestyle, or anything that is contrary to the scripture, you are included in Romans 1.

This is important to understand. The scripture makes no distinction between the doctor who performs an abortion, the woman who consents to it, the politicians who created the laws, or the judge who enforces them. All are guilty.

segment 2 

What does the Bible have to say about the killing of babies?  What does God say?  We need to consider the biblical witness because the Bible is God's Word and the authoritative source for all questions of morality.  That should be the case for every believer.  Now, if a person does not believe the Bible to be authoritative, then that is a whole other podcast for another time.  I consider the bible to be inspired by God, inerrant, and infallible.  It is God's Word to man.

While the word abortion is not in the Bible, it would be ignorant and intellectually dishonest to say that the Bible doesn't speak to the foundational issue in the same way it would be naive and dishonest to say the Bible does not speak to transgenderism.  These words aren't mentioned in scripture, but God deals with them.  

Scripture makes it clear that the cornerstone of the biblical witness against abortion is the sanctity of human life. People possess innate worth because God created humans in His own image.  

Let's build a case against abortion.

1. We are created in the image of God

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27

We do not have time to dive into the implications of all of this passage, but if we take this verse, we have the case for the sanctity of all human life, we have the case against homosexuality, transgenderism, the case against animal rights.  Sorry PETA, God gave us dominion or rule over all the animals.

But again, all of those issues we will tackle on another episode of the podcast.

Those who do not value human life are in rebellion against God rejecting what the Lord says about human life. Those who claim to be Christians and yet advocate these evils do so in contradiction to what it means to be a Christian, one who is a disciple, a follower Christ. Whether they admit it or not, they blaspheme and offend God by their disobedience to His commands clearly given in His revelation of Himself and His will in the Bible. They want to play God in deciding who lives and who dies based on their own reasoning instead of what the Lord has declared.

Abortion, euthanasia and genocide are just different names given to the willful taking of a human life, which by definition is murder. Each are blasphemy against God because they willfully destroy a creature made in God’s image. These are very serious sins that have brought God’s judgment upon individuals and societies in the past. One of the reasons God had the Canaanites annihilated was their practice of infanticide as part of their worship of Molech (Lev. 20:2; Deut. 12:31; 18:10-13)

Any conversation concerning human value must begin with this scripture in Genesis 1.  

2.  Life is valued from the womb

A detailed exegesis of Exodus 21:22–25 manifests that unborn children are also created in God’s image and that the unborn and adults are of equal value in God’s eyes.

If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that her child is born prematurely, yet there is no serious injury, then he shall be surely punished in accordance with what the woman’s husband demands of him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if there is any serious injury, then you shall give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. Exodus 21: 22-25

We can see here the value of life in the womb.

Psalm 139:13–16 is a very significant passage of scripture when we talk about abortion because it shows that the biblical concept of personhood is present at conception.

13 You brought my inner parts into being;

   You wove me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;

   marvelous are Your works,

   and You know me completely.

15 My frame was not hidden from You

   when I was made in secret,

and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.

16     Your eyes saw me unformed,

yet in Your book

   all my days were written,

   before any of them came into being.

Wow!  This passage tells us that God's hand is upon the forming of a baby in the womb.  Look science may explain in the physical realm how all of these sequential biological processes work with sperm and eggs and fertilization, but science doesn't tell us who?  Someone testify!  It's God. God's handiwork is all over the unborn child from conception.  

The entire corpus of Scripture argues for the personhood and the incredible worth of unborn children.

What about Genesis 9:6 that explicitly connects the intrinsic worth of every individual to the image of God in which they are created. This verse reads, “‘Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.’

Whether a person wants to acknowledge it, God's hand is all over creation.  Here are some quick examples.  

Sarah – the wife of Abraham. In Genesis 16:1-2 Sarai tells Abram, “Now behold the Lord has prevented me from bearing children.” She understands that it is the Lord that opens or closes the womb. In Genesis 17:16 the Lord says, “I will bless her and indeed I will give you a son by her.”

Hannah – 1 Samuel 1:5 states, “. . . but the Lord had closed her womb.” In verse 11 Hannah prays that the Lord would give her a son. Verses 19-20 state, “And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her and it came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, ‘Because I have asked him from the Lord.”

The testimony of the Psalms.

Psalm 100:3, “Know that the LORD, Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

Psalm 127:3, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Jeremiah 1:4-5

“Now the Word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Don't tell me that the bible has nothing to say about pregnancy, the value of human life and killing babies. It's all in there.  I'll say it again, how can you read the scripture, claim to know Jesus Christ, and come away with it is ok to kill babies?  You can't. You either have deny the bible, deny the teachings of God, or deny God Himself.  

But the last piece of evidence is

3. The love of God for all humanity

The entirety of scripture is about God's love for all of humanity despite our sinful condition.  The bible tells us that "God demonstrated his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

One of my favorite passages of scripture is John 3:17 which tells us that God did not send His son Jesus into the world to condemn the world but that the whole world through him might be saved.  Talk about love for all humanity.  Wouldn't a person think that would include the life that God formed in the womb?  Of course it would.  This is why abortion is sinful.  And may God have mercy on us as a nation for the millions of babies we have murdered on the altar of convenience.

It is clear that God values life.....ALL life.  This includes the unborn baby in the womb.  If you have had an abortion, can I tell you something today?  There is forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  The Bible teaches us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We do not have to walk around in guilt, shame, and condemnation.  Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was substitutionary.  He took all of our sin, and the wrath of God for breaking God's law and put it on Himself.

He who knew no sin.....

We can know and walk in forgiveness from any sin we commit.  Experience it today by calling out to Him!  Salvation is by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ!  have you placed faith in Christ today? If not, you can

Let me pray for you.....

God bless you today! I hope you've enjoyed this episode of the podcast. You can listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Friday wherever you listen to podcasts. If you would be interested in partnering with The American Christian Podcast so we can continue to deliver biblical truth, you can donate by visiting facebook.com/theamericanchristianpodcast and click on the donorbox link.

You can also email me @ theamericanchristianpodcast@gmail.com

Until next time remember 1 Peter 5:8......

It is so good to be back with you in the traditional podcast format. It has been a while and there is so much to talk about. Today's episode is jam packed so let's dive right in.

If you've been paying attention or have been at least half awake over the last 2 years, you have heard a ton of information on COVID-19, vaccines & mandates. It stopped being about the virus so long ago and has become a politicized weapon. All during the pandemic, COVID was used to scare and intimidate people. People were not allowed to worship together. Businesses were closed. Business went under. People were fired from their jobs because they wouldn't get vaccinated.

Even good Christian people got caught up in it. I heard Christians saying it was our duty to get vaccinated. That's the way we show the love of Christ is to get vaccinated. In doing this we show the world that we care about them.

The message was portrayed as it was some noble and Christ-like action to take the unproven COVID vaccine. The whole basis for all of this was because the so called experts told everyone that the vaccine was first of all, safe.....and that it would prevent further transmission of the virus. Again, it is why thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, lost their jobs.  Those who refused to take it in many instances were fired. I mean, we can't let people who haven't taken the vaccine around others.

Well guess what? It turns out that the vaccine preventing transmission was a total lie.

During a hearing on Wednesday on the European Union’s COVID-19 response, Pfizer’s president of international developed markets, Janine Small, admitted that its vaccine had never been tested before its release to the general public on its ability to prevent the transmission of COVID.

“Regarding the question around did we know about stopping immunization before it entered the market…No.,” This was in response to the questions of  if the Pfizer’ COVID vaccine was ever tested to stop the transmission of the virus before it entered the market.

She continued, “We have to really move at the speed of science to really understand what is taking place in the market.”  

Video clip.......

In other words, we just threw the vaccine out there and lied to everyone that it stopped transmission.

This to me is jaw-dropping testimony. She is admitting to the fraudulent narrative that government tyrants and medical despots concocted lies about the vaccine and used it to enforce vaccine mandates.  This was even the entire purpose of wanting to mandate vaccine passports.

Didn't they say “You don’t get vaccinated just for yourself, but also for others. You do it for all of society?"  Did anyone other than me hear that?

Even Joe Biden in July 2021 said,  “You’re not going to get COVID if you have these vaccinations.”  BTW, he got COVID after being fully vaccinated and receiving like what 10 boosters?

In May 2021, Fauci told CBS News that vaccinated people were a “dead end” for the virus. People these were total lies. The sad part is that anyone who challenged the narrative or claimed otherwise were labeled as conspiracy theorists or COVID deniers or even anti-vaxxers. These people should be locked up in a dark hole somewhere and the key be destroyed so they never see the light of day again for the lies they perpetrated on the world. Think of the livelihoods that were destroyed, small businesses destroyed, careers ended. What about the physical issues many have after taking the vaccine?

Why should this matter for followers of Christ? Because of the issue of discernment. So many people who claim to know Christ believed every single lie that was told. Talk about a lack of discernment. And this is plaguing the church at-large today.....a lack of spiritual discernment. There are some people who cannot distinguish a lie from the truth.

The scripture has much to say about discernment. Mature Christians do not believe lies. That is not to say that Christians can't be lied to and be fooled, the Enemy is clever and crafty, but there should be a level of discernment among God's people. The Holy Spirit ought to be convicting and speaking to you in your spirit and helping you discern truth from lies.  You should be able to know the difference between light and darkness.

Listen to Hebrews 5

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The sign of mature believers is that they have been exercised to discern good from evil. A person who cannot discern good from evil, a person who claims to know Christ but is duped by everything they hear is either an extreme baby Christian or they are lost and do not know Christ at all.  Lies are of the enemy. Confusion is of the enemy. Truth is of God and comes from God and a believer should be able to discern the two.

Discernment is an acknowledgement that we don’t live in a perfect world, but a broken one. God’s creation is shot through with both beauty and death, so it is a gift from the Creator that He teaches His image-bearers to judge the difference.

Jesus, often caricatured as being a nice guy who only smiles and never tells anyone they are doing wrong, nevertheless warned of coming judgment that would separate “the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25). He spared no words in echoing the prophets, warning his disciples about “wolves,” teachers whose words seem to be spiritual but lead to death (Matthew 7:15-20).

How will you know the sheep from the goats or the false teachers from the true teachers or those who are wolves in sheep's clothing if you cannot discern? How are you going to tell? Ephesians 5 tells us to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them or rebuke them. You want to know why so many Christians are embracing ungodly teachings and ungodly worldviews? you want to know why so many supposed Christians are listening to the world and the lies of false teachers and the enemy.....it's because they lack discernment.  

Before we get into segment two, We are so lucky to have you as a faithful listener to The American Christian Podcast. Thank you for your support and continued participation. It is a goal to provide valuable, informative, and encouraging truths that you can apply to your daily life as well as advance the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Would you consider donating monthly to this podcast ministry? Even a one-time donation would be greatly  appreciated. You can donate by visiting facebook.com/theamericanchristianpodcast

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Segment 2

Discernment, or lack thereof, is a huge issue among believers today.  As I was driving down the road the other day I noticed a billboard that read, "Jesus was fed up with politics too." It was a message from an organization called "He Gets Us."  Of course I was curious, so I went to their website to see what kind of message they were preaching. I mean, if they are a Christian organization, then I want to know if they are preaching the true Jesus or one they have concocted in their minds.

So here is what their website says, "He Gets Us is a campaign designed to create cultural change in the way people think about Jesus and his relevance in our lives. It all started with a diverse group of people passionate about the authentic Jesus of the Bible. He Gets Us is an initiative of Servant Foundation, a designated 501c3 organization with a 100/100 Charity Navigator rating. We’re not “Left” or “Right”. We’re not affiliated with any church or denomination. We simply want everyone to understand and relate to the authentic Jesus as he’s depicted in the Bible — the Jesus of radical forgiveness, compassion, and love. This is about getting to know the real Jesus. How Jesus experienced the same problems and emotions that we’ve all been through. It’s about providing a safe place to ask questions, including the tough ones. And realizing that Jesus is as relevant today as he was 2,000 years ago. This is about sharing Jesus’ radical love and acceptance – of everyone. Though you may see Christians as hypocritical or judgmental, that’s not what Jesus was about. Instead, Jesus offered radical compassion, stood up for the marginalized, and understood the human condition and all its frailties because he experienced them too. We want to reveal the actual human experiences that Jesus had in his life and share them with you. His teachings and how he lived just might help you with your job, family, or relationship challenges, as well as issues like rejection, anxiety, depression and more.

Simply put, this is a $100 million ad campaign to tell people about Jesus. After taking a close look, this Jesus they are depicting is not the Jesus of the Bible. This is a Jesus they have conjured up in their own imaginations. Again, the word discernment comes to mind. This is an ad campaign to portray Jesus as this woke, social justice warrior who came to rescue the marginalized, bring equality to the masses, and fight against the political machine. That is NOT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE!!  

Jesus' biggest battles didn't come from the political realm, it came from the religious realm. The pharisees and saducees were the most religious groups of Christ's day and who He had the biggest problem with. It was because of their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Jesus didn't come to ease racial tension or make everyone equal. In fact His words were that He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus wasn't this woke social justice warrior who wanted us to accept and love everyone no matter what they believe, say or do. In fact, social justice is not biblical justice at all.

The most grievous act of injustice ever known to mankind was Jesus who was arrested and delivered to the Jews. He endured an unfair trial. He was mocked, beaten, made to wear a crown of thorns, made to carry His own cross, nailed to said cross, and scorned until He hung His head and died. Certainly, on the third day, He rose to victory, fully vindicated. But it wasn’t because of the actions of men, but by the power of God.

If social justice were Jesus’ charge, He should have neglected the cross altogether to instead focus on delivering the Jews from the Romans. The Jews were expecting Jesus to come as their earthly King and free them from oppression. But instead of leading a resistance and establishing His kingdom on earth, Jesus walked around performing miracles and preaching about a Kingdom in another realm.

SOCIAL JUSTICE IS NOT A “GOSPEL ISSUE”

Believers are to seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Yet, those fighting for social justice often find themselves seeking first the cares of men and their own self-righteousness. They fight for what THEY believe is right.

Why did Jesus, whom they say came to serve the marginalized in society, share a lesson on how to love others using a parable of a marginalized race of people. (Luke 10:25-37). (Fun Fact: The “Good Samaritan” was a Samaritan, and the Samaritans were a discriminated against race amongst the Jews (John 4:9; 8:48)).

Moreover, they’d have to explain why the parable of the “Good Samaritan” wasn’t a tale of the Samaritan bringing his “neighbor’s” attackers to justice!

If Jesus were all about social justice, why did He, when He knew John the Baptist had been unfairly arrested, not go visit John in prison or attempt to rescue John from his unjust execution, but instead kept traveling and preaching the Gospel (Matthew 11:1-6)!

They’d need to explain a lot about Jesus, because these and other instances suggest Jesus’ actions weren’t driven by social justice but His Father’s business. Did that business include love and compassion? Indeed! But that does not obligate us to take up every cause that man says is right. But it does require us to tell the world the truth, call men to repentance and declare that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

When Jesus came the first time, He did not come to make right all injustices.  He came to live a sinless life and die as a substitute, not make everyone equal.  As long as we live in this fallen world, there will always be injustices.  But I will promise you this, the 2nd time he comes, he will make right all wrongs.  It is not our job as believers to make right what is wrong. Mainly because our idea of justice is flawed. We are flawed.  How can a sinful people ultimately make perfect, Godly judgments. We can't!  We cannot do that because we are not the judge.  The perfect judge will one day set all things right and His judgment will be perfect.  

Knowing the true Jesus of the Bible and one that has been fabricated by man takes discernment.  Being able to discern the "He Gets Us" ad campaign takes walking with Jesus.

This brings us to the true gospel. Jesus came to call men to repentance, not social justice. Does he accept everyone as they are? Yes, with the full intention to change them into who they ought to be. Jesus never accepts sinful people with the intent to leave them in that condition. And here's a hot take, if you have no desire to leave your sinful condition, you cannot be saved in the first place.  Yes, you heard it correctly. If you have no desire to repent, change and come out of your sinful condition, you cannot be saved.

Jesus Himself said in Luke 13 that unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Jesus says, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance

Jesus told His disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins

Have you been saved? Have you seen you have a need to be saved? Have you  believed on the person and work of Jesus Christ? Have you accepted Him as the ONLY way to get to God? Not by good works, not by church attendance, not by giving money or doing good things, but by turning from your sins and placing faith in Christ? If not you can.

The scripture says with the heart man believes unto righteousness, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Have you confessed your sins and believed in your heart that Christ died as a substitute for you and that He was raised again the third day? You can do that today right where you are in your spirit.

Let me pray for you....

God bless you today! I hope you've enjoyed this episode of the podcast. You can listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Friday wherever you listen to podcasts. If you would be interested in partnering with The American Christian Podcast so we can continue to deliver biblical truth, you can donate by visiting facebook.com/theamericanchristianpodcast and click on the donorbox link.

You can also email me @ theamericanchristianpodcast@gmail.com

Until next time remember 1 Peter 5:8......

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 the apostle Paul makes a profound statement about winning the world to Christ. He says... "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under [h]the Law, as under [i]the Law though not being myself under [j]the Law, so that I might win those who are under [k]the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it."

To understand what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, “I have become all things to all people,” we must keep the statement in context. Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church his motivation for submitting himself to a hard life. He had relinquished his rights to be married (verse 5) and to draw a salary from the church (verses 6–12). Paul had completely abandoned himself to the purposes of Christ and bore the marks of that decision in his own body.

Many Christians and church leaders have taken liberty with interpreting this passage and they twist the scripture to mean that we are to compromise with the world in order to fit in. This could NOT be further from the meaning of this passage. Context is king when reading and interpreting scripture. 

Some have used Paul’s statement “I have become all things to all people” as an excuse to live worldly lives, assuming that unrepentant sinners will be impressed and want to come to Christ. But Paul never compromised God’s moral standards set forth in Scripture. Paul's ultimate goal was to win souls to Christ, not become like the world. 

A misapplication of this scripture is happening in churches all across this country. Pastors and church leaders will create services and a church atmosphere that appeals to the world. You have probably seen it...It looks like a concert atmosphere with dim lights and fog machines. The preacher shortens the sermon and waters down the gospel to make it more palatable, all in hopes that people will come to Christ. It is a "get them there by any means necessary" mentality. 

That is NOT what Paul is remotely talking about. Paul never compromised the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul never watered it down. Paul never violated God's perfect law so that he might win souls to Christ. He didn't become a sinner and participate in their wickedness in an effort to win them.

In Christ he was no longer bound to the ceremonies, rituals, and traditions of Judaism. Following or not following any of those things had no affect on his spiritual life. But if following them would open a door for his witnessing to Jews, he would gladly accommodate.

In order to witness of Christ to the Gentiles, Paul identified as closely as possible with Gentile customs. He ate what they ate, went where they went, and dressed as they dressed, but he never compromised his faith. 

There are several ways we can become all things to all people. We can listen, we can be kind, we can be sensitive to any cultural norms, and put away any prejudice and judgmental attitudes, while we show the love of Christ. The goal of a Christian is to be inoffensive in every way except in the matter of the cross. The message of the cross of Christ naturally gives offense, but we cannot water it down. “The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Jesus warned us not to be shocked when the world hates us—it hated Him first (John 15:18). Our message is offensive to human pride and contradicts the sin nature, so our behavior and our attitudes should not give offense. When we strive to follow Paul’s example and become all things to all people, we must be willing to humble ourselves, let go of our “rights,” meet people where they are, and do whatever Jesus calls us to do. He died to save them. We must love them enough to tell them that in ways they can understand.
 

One of the greatest hopes for the believer in Christ is the 2nd coming of the Lord. Before we go further, we need to examine what the 2nd coming of the Lord is and why this is important. If there is a second coming, then we can naturally know that there was a first coming. In Jesus' first coming to earth, He was born of a virgin, Mary, and God became human flesh just like you and me. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birth in a manger in Bethlehem. 

Jesus lived and walked this earth for 33 years before He was falsely convicted and sentenced to death. We know that the prophecies had to be fulfilled that He would have to die as a substitute for the sins of the whole world. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. 

However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.

After Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, He appeared to many people. In Acts 1 we read....

"So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into [h]the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into [i]the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

These two angels who appeared to Jesus' disciples foretold of Christ's returning to earth. This is known as the second coming of the Lord. The second coming is spoken of in greatest detail in Revelation 19:11-16

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will [d]rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the [e]wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

In Christ's second coming, He will be brining the wrath of God upon those who are wicked and have refused to place faith in Him as the one and only way to get to God the Father. The time for mercy and grace will be over and He will execute perfect judgment from on High. When Jesus returns, He will be ready for war (Revelation 19:11–16). The nations will be gathered to fight against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2) in what we call the battle of Armageddon. But that will be the day Jesus returns: “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south” (verse 4). It will be a unique day in the history of the world: “On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness . . . a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light” (verses 6–7). God’s enemies will be defeated, and the Antichrist and the false prophet will be “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). Jesus will set up His kingdom, and “The Lord will be king over the whole earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

In establishing His kingdom on earth, Jesus will first set up a judgment for those who are still alive after the tribulation and who are on the earth at the time of the second coming. This is referred to as the “judgment of the sheep and the goats” or “judgment of the nations” (Matthew 25:31–46). Those who survive this judgment will remain on earth and enjoy a time of peace and prosperity with Christ for 1,000 years (referred to as the millennium; see Revelation 20:4–6). Those who are found guilty in this judgment are cursed and consigned to “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Satan is bound and forbidden to act during the millennium (Revelation 20:1–3).

During this time there will also be a resurrection of all believers in God (Revelation 20:4–6). These resurrected believers will join believers who are alive at the time of Christ’s coming and those Christ brings with Him from heaven, and all will live with Jesus during His 1,000-year earthly reign.

At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released, and one final battle will occur, which will rapidly be won by Christ (Revelation 20:7–9). Satan is then permanently consigned to the lake of fire. At this point the second resurrection will occur, and another judgment. Unbelievers will be resurrected and judged at what is referred to as the great white throne judgment; based on their works, they will be assigned to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15).

So, the return of Jesus will usher in two different eternities—one with God and one without Him. This truth is captured in two verses in the book of Malachi: “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire. . . . Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves” (Malachi 4:1–2).

What happens when Jesus returns? Evil is defeated, the earth is restored, and God wins. Your response to Jesus’ return depends on your relationship with Him. It will either be, as one pastor calls it “the greatest calamity in all of human history” or the fulfillment of the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). Faith in Christ makes the difference. “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8, NLT).

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep [k]in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [l]and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a [m]shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [n]and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Some have claimed that Jesus has already returned stating that His return was purely symbolic according to Matthew 24. But later verses in that chapter suggest that Jesus intended a literal coming.

Jesus warns His disciples to discredit prophets claiming that He was on earth; rather, His coming would be like lightning shining from east to west (24:26–27). Borrowing the language of Daniel, Jesus promises to come “on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (24:30). He notes that the tribes of earth would mourn at His coming—not just Jerusalem, but all the earth (24:30). His visible coming will affect the entire earth.  

For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will [n]show great [o]signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the [p]elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:24-27

Do the words that Christ will return to judge the wicked and those who have rejected His work....do they scare you or do they give you a great hope? The answer to that question depends on whether you have placed faith in the only begotten Son of God. If you have confessed with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. You will be eternally secure and safe from the wrath and judgment of God. If you have rejected Jesus, you will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire that burns forever. 

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Do you believe? Have you placed faith in Him? You can do that today and are encouraged to call out to Him to save you. Attend a local church and get involved and share your decision to follow Christ.

I have heard many good Christian people state throughout my years in ministry that some of their good friends are those who are non-believers. I've even had believers in Jesus Christ tell me that they are good friends with people from other religious beliefs. This has always troubled me because scripture is clear about our associations and the type of company we keep. 

I want everyone to know up front that I am not saying that we should avoid all people who do not believe as we do. The point of this episode is to point us in the right direction about our relationships while keeping true to the word of God. It is absolutely true that Jesus Christ associated, sat, talked, and even ate meals together with sinners. In fact, scripture tells us in 

Matthew 9: 10 Then it happened that as [e]Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and [f]sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn [g]what this means: ‘I desire [h]compassion, [i]and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus associated with sinners and the dregs of society in order to give them the gospel and win them to Himself. It was never with the intention of having a lifelong friendship with them. Some of the encounters Jesus had with sinners were a one-time occurrence. He might sit with them, eat, and leave and never see them again. But He always left them with spiritual food and a calling to repent and turn from their sins.

When I was attending NOBTS in the early 2000s, we had an assignment to memorize Psalm 1 and be able to recite it to the class. It was actually something that I remember to this day. This passage presents to us a choice we must make in this life...a fork in the road so to speak....one way is the way of the righteous that leads to eternal life and the other is in the path of sinners that leads to destruction. 

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the ]path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by [b]streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its [c]leaf does not wither;
And [d]in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord [e]knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Notice that the blessed man/woman does not walk with wicked people. They do not stand in the path with sinners. They do not sit with those who are scoffers/unbelievers. All of these people are characterized by wickedness and ungodliness. To walk not in the counsel of the ungodly means to reject any advice from the wicked. It includes avoiding any guiding influence that might shape or direct your way of life toward godlessness. Walking involves progress; thus, the verse instructs, “Don’t walk in the counsel, don’t stand in the path, don’t sit in the seat” of the ungodly. The apparent progression presents a picture of someone walking next to sin, then stopping to stand and take it all in, and then finally sitting right down in sin’s seat “to enjoy it. 

Not walking, standing, or sitting with the ungodly implies steering clear of sin by avoiding participation in every aspect of the sinner’s way of life. The apostle Paul warned, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). 

Proverbs 22: 24 Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
25 Or you will learn his ways
And find a snare for yourself.

How can a Christian expect to to keep progressing forward in their relationship with Christ and be formed more into His image when they associate with sinners and unbelievers? 2 Cor. 6:14 says not to be yolked together or bound together with unbelievers. Why? Because light cannot fellowship with darkness. They have nothing in common, at least not eternal things. That scripture goes on to say, come out from among them and be separate. That is not elevating yourself to a position of being better than, it is separating yourself from evil influences. 

My grandmother has said it best my whole life, "If you lay down with dogs, you'll get fleas. If you hang around trash long enough, you'll start to stink."

Simply put, it is much easier for you to be brought down and participate in evil activities than it is for you to bring them up. This doesn't mean we never talk to, nor associate with people who are non-believers or practice other religions. It doesn't mean we are mean-spirited or think we are better than them. It means we do not have eternal things in common. 

A believer who “walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” will apply biblical truth to his daily life, letting God’s Word be a lamp to guide his feet and a light for his path (Psalm 119:105). His “delight is in the law of the Lord,” and he “meditates on his law day and night,” says Psalm 1:2. This person will grow in faith and spiritual maturity.

Loving God and obeying His Word will result in abundant blessings (Joshua 1:8; Luke 11:28; John 14:21). As we read the Scriptures daily, study them, memorize them, and meditate on them night and day, our thinking changes. We no longer love the world or the things in it (1 John 2:15–17). We no longer walk in the counsel of the ungodly. We “don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world”; instead, God transforms us by changing how we think. Then we can experience God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2, NLT).

People who walk in the counsel of the ungodly listen to worldly advice, make plans with the wicked, and willfully participate in the sinner’s way of life. Romans 8:5–7 describes these people as those “who live according to the flesh” and “have their minds set on what the flesh desires.” By contrast, “those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”

What about associating with people of other religions? This one is really simple. 2 John 1 is very clear. Listen to what it says.

9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

Did you get that? It says don't even greet them. The KJV version of scripture says do not wish them godspeed. Do not with them a good day. Do not associate with those who preach anything other than Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. Why? Because if you give them your approval, you are participating in their evil deeds. That is heavy friends. 

We are to be people of the kingdom of light, not darkness. That is why I do not associate and have close friends who are non-believers. I do not hang around with people from other religious beliefs. Amos 3:3 asks us a question, How can two walk together unless they be in agreement? The answer to that question is....you can't. You cannot walk with those who do not think like you, walk like you, act like you, believe like you....well, you may be able to, but I can't. I want to associate myself with those who have the same mindset and worldview that I have and that is a mind and belief system that is based on the absolute authoritative word of God and belief in His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. We are to be separate. 

What are our relationships with non-christian people supposed to look like? We are to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them until they are converted. Here is what I promise you, if you begin to share the gospel with all of your non-believing friends, or those who do not believe as you do according to the word of God, the separation will happen automatically! Start telling them about the Jesus of the Bible and associating yourself with people who know Jesus Christ.

It is important that we learn the distinction between the punishment of God vs the discipline of God: It is important for maintaining the honour and glory of God, and for the peace of mind of the Christian. God’s people can never by any possibility be punished for their sins, because God has already punished Jesus Christ for our sins at the cross. This is a fundamental truth and one that Christians need to be established or rooted or grounded in. So many believers have this idea that when they mess up, that God is ready to strike by punishing them for their sins. That could not be further from the truth. 

Isaiah 53 is the redemptive chapter. It is Isaiah seeing Jesus as He bears the iniquities of the whole world. Jehovah God put all our sins on Jesus and He not only put them on Jesus, He punished Jesus for our sins. He took our place, He died our death and took our negative judgment from God.

Is. 54: 6 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
Now that right there is how I know that God is talking to me and talking to you. If you are saved, He is your Redeemer, AMEN? He is talking about the people of God. He is going to have mercy and be kind to us with an everlasting kindness as the Lord our Redeemer

9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

What a promise? Amen! That is something to shout about!
Because of what my Son did for you, because of the cross and this great redemption and me being your redeemer, I will never be wroth with you again. I will never be angry with you, I’ll never punish you again. That verse told us that God's kindness will never depart and His covenant of peace can not be removed because of His mercy. 

Isaiah 54: 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
God says there are 3 things that are enemies that will come against us. Oppression, fear and terror. We need to know that while these things may come against all of us, God says, it’s not by me.

Verse 13 says, they shall surely gather together….who is they….oppression, fear and terror But God says, not by me.  

No matter what comes around me and against me, it didn’t come from God.  

How many of you know that if you were diagnosed with cancer that would be a great source of fear? It might would even be a great source of terror? Amen? Folks, listen to me tonight…..God isn’t giving us cancer. Did you hear me? God isn’t causing fear. God isn’t causing terror.

I once had a man in one of the churches that God called me to pastor....he told me that he believed that if he messed up today, if he sinned today, then God would get him tomorrow. That somehow, someway, God would punish him for the sin he had committed. What a misunderstanding of the grace and mercy of God! What a misunderstanding of our relationship with God when we come by faith in the person of Jesus Christ! What a misunderstanding of the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross!

Friends listen to me today....if you have to be punished for your sin that you commit, why did Jesus have to go to the cross and die? If you have to suffer the penalty for your sins, then Jesus died in vain. If you have to endure the negative judgment of God for your mistakes, then the cross is of no effect. 

The Lord Jesus, our Blessed Substitute, suffered the full penalty of all our guilt, that is why it is written that “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Neither the justice nor the love of God will permit Him to again exact payment of what Christ fully discharged. 

You might ask, then if we can never be punished for our sins, why do bad things happen to good Christian people? Why is there suffering? Why are there trials and temptations? Those are great questions. While a believer’s sins cannot be punished, while the Christian cannot be condemned (Rom. 8:3), he/she can be disciplined by God. Once we are saved from His wrath, we now belong to the Family of God. The relationship which now exists between us and God is that of parent and child; and as a son/daughter we are disciplined for wrongdoing. Many times God uses discipline to correct us. 

Keep in mind that the discipline of God and the wrath or judgment of God are not the same thing. Punishment is always given as a payment for sin. Discipline is always for teaching and correction. Punishment is eternal. Discipline is temporal. 

Does that mean that every time we suffer that we are under the discipline of God? Absolutely not! Sometimes suffering is just a result of living in a fallen world. People get sick, loved ones die, we have accidents, and sometimes terrible things happen through no fault of our own. But God does use discipline to correct us and grow us into Christ-likeness. 

Many times even good Christian people will go to Job to show that God causes sickness and death and loss. But what they always fail to see is God did not take away Job’s wealth and position, or his loved ones, health, and wellbeing. That was not God. That was Satan. 

Remember that scripture from earlier that we have an everlasting covenant of peace with God now because of Jesus Christ? According to that scripture, I do not believe that God is in the business of robbing people, killing their loved ones, or taking away their health and wellbeing.  

Some people say, "well God allowed it to happen, so He must have caused it." Absolutely not! God allows everything my friends. Do you think it is God's will for there to be murder, suicide, adultery, fornication, or any other form of wickedness? NO! 

God allows us to live in and suffer through an imperfect world in which we are free to make our own choices that have consequences.

God allowed Job, a good and righteous man, to learn that he had a wee problem with self-righteousness.

God allowed Jacob, the deceiver of his brother and father, to be deceived by his uncle and experience what it was like to be hoodwinked and taken advantage of.

God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery and pruned of his spoiled selfishness.

God allowed Naomi to lose her sons and experience her daughter-in-law’s great love and loyalty.

God allowed Peter to crumble like sand under pressure and deny Jesus three times before learning about God’s willingness not only to forgive him but give him the grace to become a rock of faith.

God allowed Paul to suffer with a thorn in the flesh that taught him humility.

But listen to me today, God is not killing our children, causing death, giving people cancer, breaking down our cars, or any other trying thing that may happen in our lives. God is for you, not against you! Does He discipline His children, yes, but how? 

1. God arouses our conscience through the presence and power of His Holy Spirit when we do what is wrong, just as David’s aroused conscience took away the joy of his salvation.

We need to pray each and every day, asking God to expose any attitudes and habits that we need to confess and correct. I always like to go through my list of sinful tendencies that I need to confess and make sure I correct each day.

I believe one of the best signs that we have opened up our lives to Christ is when we do wrong, we are convicted of our sin that robs us of peace and joy. Christians cannot “En-Joy” sin. If Christ has become an integral part of our heart, soul, mind, and body – and we can say with Paul, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20) – then we will be conscience-stricken whenever we sin. If we are not conscience-stricken, if the Spirit of Christ is not “working within and on us,” then He is not a part of us.

2. We are disciplined through His word. God advises us to open and read the Bible. We need to read our Bible with an openness and eagerness for God to show us what we need to know and do! Many people have been disciplined by God while reading the Bible.

3. God disciplines us through spiritual leaders/teachers. We need to listen to good and godly people with an open mind, people who will not hesitate to tell us the truth about ourselves – and challenge us to be better than we are. Everyone needs a friend who will tell us what we don’t want to hear, but need to hear.

God sent Nathan (II Samuel 12) to confront David with his sins. We then read: “David responded to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan replied to David, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die. However, because you treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son born to you will die’” (II Samuel 12:13-14).

God is the author of life, not death. He is the great physician of healing, not sickness. Can He use sickness to teach us? Yes! Can He use the death of a loved one to show us something? Yes! Can He correct us through trying times that come our way? Yes! But never get confused and think that God is causing death, pain, oppression, fear, and condemnation. We have bee set free from the punishment and wrath of God because of Jesus Christ! What a savior!
 

Many people today believe that all religions are true. According to a recent Barna study, 58% of teens and 62% of adults agree with the statement, “Many religions can lead to eternal life; there is no ‘one true religion.’” It would be nice if everybody could be right about their religious convictions. After all, these are beliefs we often hold dear to our hearts. Nobody likes telling others that they are wrong about their deepest convictions. Yet simple reason and common sense tell us all religions cannot possibly true. However, in our day, common sense isn't too common.

Let's reason together and take a look at what the Bible has to say about getting to God. Even a half-hearted examination of different religions would quickly reveal that different religions make very different truth claims on a number of issues. By its very nature, truth is exclusive. It is not logically possible for all religions to be right when their core claims differ so radically. Either they are all wrong, or one is right.

Consider that Buddhists belief in no God, Hindus believe in many gods, and Christians believe in a triune God consisting of God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God. Just looking at these beliefs alone, we can see that all religions are not the same, nor do they all point to God. 
n fact, different religions don’t even claim to be the same. Every religion has its own specific idea of who God is (or is not) and how salvation may be attained. Yes, religions often agree on secondary, non-essential doctrines. But on core beliefs, they differ radically.

Unless we are willing to abandon the law of non-contradiction, Buddhism and Christianity cannot possibly both be true. God cannot both exist and not exist. There cannot be one God who exists as one person (Islam) and one God who exists as three persons (Christianity).

So all religions cannot be true. Despite our culture's love for pluralism and acceptance of everything, there can only be one true religion.  

This is where Christianity takes center stage. Biblical Christianity is absolutely unique among all the religions and philosophies of mankind. Its claim to be necessary for salvation is based squarely on the uniquely powerful evidences for its truth and finality. Actually, true Christianity is not a religion, but a person, Jesus Christ.

Christianity is unique and set apart from all others for several reasons. 

1. Only in the Bible is God revealed as the one eternal, personal Creator, who brought the entire universe into existence by His own Word.

All other religions start with the material universe as the only eternal reality, with their “gods” being essentially personifications of the natural forces which develop the universe into its present form.

On the other hand, the Creator-God of the Bible has all power and is Himself, therefore, not only the One who created the universe but also the One who establishes the basis for human salvation.

2. Christianity alone is centered in the historical events associated with a Person—the birth, death, resurrection, and imminent, glorious return of Jesus Christ. 

Other religions are invariably based on the teachings, rather than the acts, of their founders.

3. Jesus Christ alone, of all men in history, has conquered man's greatest enemy—death. The founders of other religions are all dead and their tombs venerated. The tomb of Christ is empty, and His bodily resurrection from the grave is the best proved fact of all history. The fact that He alone could overcome death demonstrates that He alone has all power. He Himself said,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

4. All other religions of the world are fundamentally just one religion—one of salvation by works. Each religion sets up a particular set of religious rites, of commands and restrictions, and of ethical principles to follow, and then teaches that if a man does these things he will be saved. The human origin of each of these systems is indicated by the fact that each is humanly attainable.

The Bible, however, sets its moral and ethical standard as the very holiness and perfection of God Himself, and demands nothing less than this for salvation. Obviously, no man would invent a standard which was utterly impossible for any man to keep.

5. The man Christ Jesus, alone of all men who ever lived, maintained in every respect a life of perfect holiness and full obedience to the Father, thus demonstrating that He was the God-Man. He then died for the sins of all men and thus can offer full pardon and His own nature of perfect holiness to anyone who receives Him.

Christ alone offers salvation by grace alone, to be received only through faith in Him.

To the one who truly believes on Him, He then gives through the Holy Spirit a new nature, enabling that one to live a life pleasing to God.

There is no mere “religion” in all the world like this. Jesus Christ is the world's Creator, and its only true Redeemer.

“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Christ alone was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.
Christ alone is God incarnate.
Christ alone lived a sinless life.
Christ alone died a penal, substitutionary death
Christ alone rose from the dead triumphant over sin
Christ alone qualifies as Savior, and Christ alone is Savior.

In the words of the country preacher...."there ain't nobody like Jesus" 

Do you know Jesus today? Do you believe? That is what is necessary for salvation. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world......

Do you believe? For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Have you believed in your heart that Jesus is the only true Savior and way to get to God? Have you confessed that to Him with your mouth? If not, you can today. Call out to him and tell Him you believe and that you need forgiveness for your sins. He will cleanse you and transform your life.