I was a part of a ‘Christian’ social group called 'Truth Under Fire'. I appreciated much of what they said, and were attempting to do. The creator of the group was a sincere man, as was most of the participants it seemed to me. Yet, the group creator, and members, began posting political, and condemning entire swaths of people that didn't fall in with their particular political party and position. They felt proven right by a distortion of religious means and philosophy. I attempted to bring the group focus back to Christ Jesus, and His Kingdom. If one is a Christian their Kingdom is not of this world, and their political involvements in this earthly realm will be born of Heavenly source, resource, and residence. For the follower of Christ Jesus, our focus and our residence is the Kingdom of Heaven. God is our King, and there is no other. He is the merciful and holy Ruler, and His Kingdom is neither Capitalist nor Democratic. Furthermore, the Child of God can never be too Heavenly minded… we are to be entirely Heavenly minded.
The creator of the group posted a particular political post – an article that was written under the heading, ‘The Whole Truth of God'. It was simply a base article decrying the sins of a political leader of the opposite political party. The article was entirely gossip and slander, and declared as ‘God's Truth'. This cut me to the quick. This behavior is clearly decried in the Holy Bible. It is entirely unholy. The Bible tells us: “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew:12:37.
The scriptures warn us against gossip and slander. This is fresh for me because it is something the Holy Spirit has been correcting me on. Gossips and slanderers will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:10. We must take great care in our words, and offer every one – written, or spoken – over to the control of the Holy Spirit. When I expressed my concerns over the direction this post had taken the group, my concerns and scriptural references were met with only self defense and contempt – even some scoffing.
I cried and prayed before submitting my responses to the group regarding this article. I did not want to simply react on the offense, and barge ahead with my words. I asked Jesus, in my prayers, “Why does this article upset me so?” Immediately I saw a picture in my mind of someone squatted over the Banquet Table of Jesus, and defecating on it – to be crude, as the picture in my mind was meant to be, this person was taking a dump (dumping) on the Banquet Table of Christ Jesus.
When we engage in slander and gossip against those with whom we disagree, or feel threatened by, we are taking a dump on the Banquet Table of Christ Jesus, and we must be warned, this behavior will not be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Most of us would not allow anyone into our house who would insist on dumping so crudely upon our table of friendship and fellowship! The true Christian believes, and heeds, the words of Christ Jesus – that judgement begins in the house of God! “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter:4:17. The Follower of Christ Jesus is instructed to PRAY for their perceived enemy – not malign them to others in gossip and slander under the umbrella of ‘defending God’, or exposing what is false. Our fight is NOT against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Our prayer should be as Jesus' prayed, “Father forgive them. They don't know what they're doing”.
I have asked forgiveness of the Father, through the shed blood of Christ Jesus, for the times I have dumped on His Banquet Table. I offer my words over to the Lord God, daily. I ask that He put a guard upon my mouth, and the words that I write. I pray for the lost, and also for those who call their self by Christ's Name. I am not surprised at the evil in the world, and the world political systems. I am not surprised that Christians are being martyred in Muslim countries. I do not fear the Muslim, nor do I hate them. I do not fear, or despise, the Stranger (Immigrant) among us. I am a bit surprised at the Christian who is scared, shocked, or indignant, over these. It is as if they really do not believe what is written in the scriptures of the Holy Bible.
I will conclude with 2 Timothy 3, which I believe describes what we are witnessing today within the House of God, where judgement will begin… “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
No comments:
Post a Comment