1Jn_1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him
and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1Jn_1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin.
As I wrote last time, I want to continue on the
subject of living in the gray areas. My
subject mater could not have come at a more pivotal time in the American Church . In social media and the likes I
have read and seen so much misunderstanding by today’s modern Christians.
I have come to understand a vast majority of
Christians really know very little of what the Bible says or they reject many
of it’s teaches as out dated. They describe a God and Jesus that is nether
biblical or consistent with true born again believers. They seem to form a Christianity that is customized
to fit them and look for others that will agree with them, rejecting others that oppose their ideology. The sad
fact is, this is nothing new. It has
been happening through out church history for nearly 2000 years.
I am not trying to be all negative here, but only
pointing out what is right before us.
There are true believers who are seeking truth in love. There are many Christians who stand for truth
without compromise, yet showing gentle love to those around them. We are commanded to love all people, but let
us not confuse that love with other levels of love we are given in the word of
God. Let’s not confuse love with
acceptance either. Let’s not pervert
God’s love and grace with compromising sinful living.
I keep hearing people say, we are not to judge
them. Many will say love overlooks what
others do. Yet I find no scripture to
back up their understanding of love and judgment. Did not Jesus clearly tell us to examine
another’s fruit, which means their growth and maturity?
(Mat 7:13) Go in
through the narrow gate, for wide is the
gate and broad is the way that leads to
destruction, and many there are who go in through it. (Mat
7:14) Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life, and there are few
who find it. (Mat 7:15) Beware of false prophets who come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Mat 7:16) You
shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from
thistles? (Mat 7:17) Even so every good tree brings forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. (Mat
7:18) A good tree cannot bring
forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. (Mat 7:19) Every tree that does not bring forth good
fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat 7:20) Therefore by their fruits you shall know
them. (Mat 7:21) Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord!
shall enter the kingdom
of Heaven , but he who
does the will of My Father in Heaven.
Jesus has mad it very clear that our lives should
reflect truly who we are. This seems to
be lost in today modern Christian. This
is what I am calling living in the gray areas.
People are trying to make peace with both worlds. Trying to be light but not to bright to
offend others. Trying to be a good tree yet
bearing bad fruit. As a pastor I would many
times talk to a person who was doing wrong and somehow justify it by saying “God
knows my heart, and that I mean well”. Yet I would often never see a change in
their life. I would still have love and
compassion while speaking truth to them.
In today’s modern Christian ideology, it’s all
about praying a sinner’s prayer, going to church and everybody is going to
heaven. This is so messed up and so far from Biblical truth. No wander we are
in the mess we are in. The grace of God
today has been misrepresented to the modern Christian to the point we no longer
understand how it works. Where has true
preaching of the Kingdom message and repentance is necessary to enter
gone? Paul talked about a need to change
over and over in his letters, and so did Peter and John.
We are commanded to be different. We are to be a bright light of truth. I know we are not perfect, but we should
strive for it, by letting His Spirit shine through us. Light has no part with darkness. Righteousness and sin can not co-exist. To try and live both is to exist in the
shadows of disobedience and the old nature
Luk 11:33-36
(33) No one, when he has lighted a lamp, puts it in a secret place, or under a grain-measure,
but on a lamp stand, so that they who come in may see the light.
(34) The light of the body is the eye. Therefore when
your eye is sound, your whole body also is full of
light. But when your eye is evil, your
body also is full of darkness.
(35) Therefore take heed that the light in you is
not darkness.
(36) Therefore if your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole
shall be full of light, as when the
shining of a lamp enlightens you.
You
will either be in the light that enlightens you to God’s truth or live in
shadows of man made Christian ideology.
There is still a right and a wrong, truth and lies, and the only way to
right and truth is through obedience to God and His son Jesus.
I
know this is not popular, but it is time for God’s people to shine brightly in
the truth of God’s word and love. God
has not changed or made any mistakes, if there’s a misunderstanding or something
that is nor fitting how we feel, we are who need to repent and change.
To Be Continued