Heaven vs Hell - Love vs Wrath - God & Man

(Words in Italic indicate links you can follow)

I watched a documentary last night about the history of Christianity.  It saddened me as well as enlightened me. It made me painfully aware of certain realities. It makes me sad that Christianity was used to harm people groups. It makes me sad that even today, Christ is misrepresented by fake Christians as well as well intentioned but misled Christians. It happens when we take it upon ourselves to "do for God" instead of being available as the hands and feet for God to use as He leads us and directs us by His Spirit. (Being His instrument of righteousness) This is a foundational issue. Love should be the cornerstone and central theme of our lives. It should motivate us to do what we do and to say what we say. We should act out of love and not condemnation.

In watching this documentary, much of the information was not new to me. I had to appreciate the viewpoint of the author, and at the same time, I had to watch it with great discernment and objectivity so as to not fall into deception and believe lies. I was on guard as I watched it. All that to say, I was saddened by it. Then this morning, I was listening to Adrian Rogers on the radio. It reminded me of the coming judgement.  So the combination of the two is what prompted me to write this today.

It broke my heart when the documentary said that Christians are speaking hate when they say that certain people will go to hell. For those of us who truly believe there will be hell for eternity after death, we also believe everyone deserves to know how to avoid it. Even if you do not believe as I believe, please know this: I believe to the core of my being that there is a destination that exist for those who choose to not believe. That destination in my reality will be eternal agony. Now if I believe this to the core of my being, and I know an alternative to this judgement, MY LOVE is what motivates me to share this with others, not hate. It is purely that I would not want anyone to go to this eternal destination without knowing they had a choice. That is the plain and simple truth about it from my perspective. I wish there was a way to demonstrate how motivated by love this type of sharing is. I do not hate those that believe differently. I love them, but I desire to share with them the truth of what I know. I hear people say truth is relative, but in my heart and my mind, I have settled the matter. I have chosen this day whom I will serve. I have settled where I will live for eternity. I wish all would join me there. However, I will join God in respecting anyone's decision either way. It is each person's own choice.

It is my belief that there is a God who loves me, and there is an enemy who hates me. I choose to spend my eternity with the one who loves me. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sin because I could never be right with God on my own. (I could not satisfy God's wrath toward my sin - only Christ's sacrifice could do that) The God who created me and all the universe, desires to be in relationship with me. This relationship is made possible through His Son's payment for my sinfulness and by His Holy Spirit filling me. (Just as one can be filled with wine and be controlled by it "being unable to control their own behavior" - I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be controlled by Him "being unable to control my own behavior") Once I have accepted this wonderful gift of right standing before a holy God, I am free to live in relationship with Him and His wrath is turned away from me. I am at peace with Him, and that peace is worth more than gold. This is where He equips me to serve and live out my purpose on this earth. My main purpose is to love Him and to love others.  It is not loving to act hateful to the world because of their sin, but it is not loving to know the truth yet not share it with others.

If you are reading this and getting a sick feeling in your gut, (a feeling of guilt or anxiousness)  please do not get offended at me. Instead, confess to God your sinful estate, accept that God made a way for you to live free of your guilt by sending Jesus to die for you, confess with your mouth that He is the Lord of your life, and join me in absolute peace and liberty. I do not judge you. I don't know your heart. I know that even after I accepted Christ as my Savior, I sinned and still fall way short of the glory worthy of God. I messed up more ways than you can count. But the scripture says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ, and that is where I am found, in Christ. This in no way gives me permission to sin, it is just an antidote for the human condition. Praise God for that! Being free in Christ, gives me freedom to sin or not to sin. If I choose to live by the Spirit, I am a slave to Christ. Living full of the Holy Spirit (controlled by the Spirit) will enable me to live free from sin, and enable me to crucify my own fleshly desires. If I choose to walk in sin, it means I will be held captive by it, therefore I will be a slave to sin, and my own fleshly desires will control me. (but this is a topic all its own)

If there was a plague sweeping across the earth where everyone who got it, died from it, and I knew about the antidote; Should I tell others? Would it be considered hateful to tell them the plague is going to kill them? Would it be elitist or hateful to say that I have a remedy for their fatal condition? Or would everyone simply want to receive this lifesaving solution?

This is how I see my salvation and eternal destination. I see it as the remedy to what ails us. We are sin-sick, and we are dying. We are held captive and in slavery to our own fleshly demands. If you were born, then you will die. If you are flesh and blood, that flesh will decay, and the blood will dry up one day. However, I believe there is a part of you that will go on for eternity. God says in His Word in Eccl. 3 that He has set eternity in our hearts. Believe as you choose, but if I am correct, wouldn't you want to know about it. How hateful it would be of me to withhold this information from you. If this information, this antidote, could have offered you eternal life instead of eternal torture and torment; I would be the worst kind of person not to share it with you. Now I cannot speak for everyone, but I can tell you that throughout the course of history, many have known this truth and tried to get the word out even at the cost of their own life or livelihood. It is the message of the gospel. It is the good news! It is the reason for the hope I have.

There have been dark times in the history of Christianity. I do not believe God commanded Christians to kill people groups that wouldn't follow Christ, or even stripping them of their rights. Would God want these people groups to know the truth? Yes. But I do not believe He would have led the Christians to exterminate all non-converts. I do not believe that was from God!!!! That is someone taking it upon themselves to do this evil falsely in His name.

God's message remains the same. The message is a message of love, not hate. The only hate is toward that of sin. There is NO room for hate toward the sinner. NONE!!!  Hate the sin of the sinner. The hardest work of the Christian will be determining how to accomplish this task.

There have been and will continue to be wolves in sheep's clothing taking the message of the gospel, and tweaking it to their own advantage. They will use it for their own personal power grabs and gains. Many times, it has been used for behavior modification to control the masses. But I can tell you NOW, the God that I serve and love will never force you to follow Him. He is patient, He will draw you, He will discipline you because of His love for you, He will try to convince you through various avenues motivated by His desire to be with you; but He will not force you to spend eternity with Him nor follow Him in this life. Therefore, I believe His followers should follow in that same manner. However, although He is a God of love, He is also full of wrath toward our sin. His love motivates Him to pursue us, but His perfectness, holiness and righteousness makes it impossible for our sinfulness to be in His presence. That is what I believe creates the wrath in Him; that our sin breaks our connectedness to Him. That is why we need a sacrificial payment-Christ.

Christianity has been hijacked many times in history. The documentary went on to talk about how throughout Christianity's history, there have been times where the Jews have been persecuted for crucifying Christ. I think this is incredibly ironic. According to scripture, gentiles who receive Christ have been grafted into the family as wild olive shoots into the olive tree that represents the Israelites.

Truth is, ALL of our ancestors crucified Jesus. ALL!!! Pontius Pilate sentenced him knowing He was an innocent man. He was a Roman governmental leader (A Gentile). The Roman guards were guilty of ripping His flesh when they beat and flogged Him and nailed Him to the cross. They were the ones to execute the orders handed down by the Roman government. (Gentiles) The Jews were the ones requesting His death. So truly all of our ancestors are guilty of fulfilling the execution of our Lord and Savior. But had they NOT done this, we would all be without hope. So instead of pointing fingers at any people group for the crucifixion, perhaps we should be extremely thankful. Instead of despising the executioner, be thankful. Instead of turning on each other, turn toward the solution, and say THANK YOU JESUS for being willing to do this for me. Thank you God for making a way. Thanks for saving me from myself! Thank you for satisfying the wrath of God since I could not!

SO on behalf of the misguided Christians throughout history, I am sorry for the misrepresentation of the wonderful hope that we have available. Many have come and gone who have harmed the advancement of this good news. Many have done harm in the name of Christ Jesus, and to this I say "I am so so Sorry". I know that is not enough, but it comes from my heart. However, please do not use that as an excuse to reject the One they misrepresent. Any Christian you encounter is only as Christ-like as he is willing to love, surrender, obey and follow the One who saved him.

Each of us will be held accountable for the times we have turned away non-believers by our words and actions. There is a judgement for the believer where God will deal with each of us on this matter. I desire to live a life worthy of God and to not become a stumbling block for those who may come to know Him.

Believers: will you join me in living a life that draws others to Christ.  Let's not be a Christian version of bug repellent. Let's be that sweet aroma mentioned in 2 Cor. 2:14-17. See also this expanded version.

The World Needs Love from Instruments of Righteousness - Not a Beating from Self Righteous Instruments

I saw a post on Facebook today and it went along with my heart's cry lately.  It was about a New Church Lady.  If you are interested in reading it, I highly recommend it. Click on this link to see further:  Pearls and Grace

My heart has been heavy from the issue of Christian behavior, actions, deeds.  (You know the "walking out your faith" thing before the world)  I have blogged around the topic, but I sense that I just can't get a full grasp of it.  I am hoping that even as I blog today, it will become more clear to me.

So today I feel weepy as I ponder this.  I am saddened by it.  (As you read this, you may say what is "it") It is the missing hope, it is the misrespresentation of Christ, it is condemnation of the body toward itself, it is being in the word and church to impress God or others instead of seeking Him, it is the missing compassion, love, kindness, gentleness and self control in believers, it is the missing passion for the Lord, His people and the lost world.  It is the missing glorification of God from the body, it is the missing gratitude of God, the missing exaltation of Him.  Are we drawing attention to our knowledge of the Word, our good works, our church, or are we drawing all attention toward God, who He is, what He is doing, and what He has done??

I am saying this not to beat anyone up.  I don't believe that it is done intentionally, but it is done out of desire to do the right thing.  It is done typically out of a lack of understanding.  I am in no way looking down my nose at anyone, but lump myself in the category as guilty too.  Any of our religious acts are of no real value apart from God.  (they are garbage and filthy rags)

Here is what I believe is at issue:  we are in need of revival as the universal body. We need to know how much we need God daily.  We need to become aware of our neediness.  We need to become aware of how hungry and thirsty we are for the Spirit of God in our lives.  It is when you eat all the wrong foods and drink all the wrong things, we may feel VERY full but we will still be starving for nourishment.  We may be drinking liquid but it is not a liquid that will quench our thirst.  

The actions of doing religious do's and don'ts is not going to produce the fruit and will not satisfy the soul. That is conformity and will not bring about the transformation that comes from walking closely, dependantly and completely surrendered to Christ.  He wants to use us and equip us for good works, and in doing so, we will be made holy and set apart for our godly purposes. (obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and the commands as He prompts)

In 2 Timothy 2:20-22, the Word describes the difference between a clean, special instrument and an unclean or dishonored instrument.  But as you read the scripture, I sense that it is all about the use of that instrument that makes it one or the other.  In Romans 6:13 we are to offer ourselves to God to be used as instruments of righteousness.  

Follow these links to look at the verses and even compare in various translations

Romans 6:16, Romans 6:19

Such a practical picture of God's love on a needy world

God's love was intended to pour out on the body of Christ as we walk intimately with Him.  But we were not to become reservoirs to collect His love and blessings, yet we were to be conduits where God's love flows through us to a world in need of that hope, love, peace, and joy.  Through this, His kingdom comes to earth as it is in heaven!  That is the hope that we have to offer to the world.  

So we need to stop trying to be an instrument of righteousness, which according to Isaiah 64:6 says are filthy rags. (see also Philippians 3:8 )   Instead we need to be surrendered vessels available to walk in fellowship with our Creator.  So that when we do this, we, by His use of us, are made Holy, sanctified (set apart for a special use) and a sweet savor to those we encounter.

Lets study the Word of God under the inspritation of the Holy Spirit.  Inviting the Spirit to inspire us, feed us with spiritual nourishment.  So we will know Him more.  Ask Him to reveal Himself to us through the study of the Word.  We do not need to manufacture a form of godliness by our own strength and conformity, but allow Him to carve out in us our godly character and transform us in the image of Christ.

Perhaps  as we the body begin to do our part, which is to surrender to His hands for His holy use so we become those instruments of righteousness as His slave, then the lost and dying world will see Christ in us and begin to recognize just how hungry and thirsty they are.  The world doesn't want what the Christians have because it is a conterfeit version, and the world recognizes it more than those of us who are in the body. 

I pray today that the body will begin to see its independence from God and turn back to Him in full surrender.  I pray that the body would see that it is all about being in communion with God by the Holy Spirit through Christ's sacrifice.  We need relationship not religion.  We need transformation not conformity.  We need TRUE change that can only be done by Him.  We need to be authentically changed not manufactured.  

It seems in many American churches today, because we live in a time where many of our true physical needs are being met (even many of our wants) so we are clueless of our spiritual poverty.  Hard times of any kind seem to help awaken us to our spiritual needs.  Nothing like a hardship to bring us back to the basics of our faith.  Not one of us would ask for hardship, but it is in those difficult trials of life where, because of our humaness, we become pliable and available.  This is when we tend to be more ready to turn our ears back toward the only One with the answers.  The only One that can transform us and make a difference.  The only One  that can make us truly righteous instruments.

So today as you read this, if you find that you have been "doing the church thing" apart from God, and you sensed that something is missing, just confess it and ask for the Lord's help.  Welcome Him back into your life's activity.  Tell Him today that you are available for His use.  (simple surrender) see: 1 John 2: 1 and 2

If we fall short, it is not for our condemnation.  We have Jesus as our advocate pleading on our behalf to God.  So in this, if we have offered our bodies to sin in order to be used as instruments of unrighteousness, confess, and Jesus is there as our advocate and faithful to forgive.  

Apart from Christ, we can do NO-THING.  But in Christ all things are possible.  Surrender to Him, seek His will, and walk daily in fellowship with Him.  That is it.  

Have a blessed blessed day.

I pray today that my fingers were used by God's Holy Spirit as instruments of righteousness for His glory to convey these words to us all.  If any of this was just of me, may they be discarded with the garbage!  AMEN!

Trying or Trusting

Perhaps I drive home the same message all the time, but it is the one that comes to me the most.  It is a matter of trying for God.  We try to be good.  We try to be like Christ.  We try to do our duties for the church.  We try to be without sin. There are all manner of reasons why we try.  We may try because it is expected.  Maybe we try because that is what we have been taught.  We try because we are seeing our flaws and we want to perfect ourselves.  We try for the sake of pride.  We try as to not disappoint or look bad to other Christians.  We try because we want God to love us.  Perhaps we are even trying to please God or get His favor. We may even try because we do not want to be a poor witness to the world.  For every person there is a reason why we try.  Some of these are great reasons and may seem to even be godly motives.  However, my point remains the same, anything we do apart from God will not only be temporary but will have NO eternal effect.

• "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5  
• "Everything that does not come from faith is sin." Romans 14:23b NIV

However, if we believe that Christ came to die for our sins; believe it was finished on the cross; believe that Christ is our savior, then we will have to recognize that the perfecting work is for Christ to do in us.

So when we are convicted of our sin, let's not beat ourselves up.  Let that be a time of agreeing with God.  Let it be a time of thanksgiving, because it is being revealed to you so that God can help you become more like Christ.  When God points His finger at imperfections in our lives it is not for condemnation.  So we need to STOP condemning ourselves and start rejoicing that we see them.

• "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1 NKJ  

 
It is God's revelation to us little by little that helps carve us into His son's image.  If we will stop working with the enemy and stop agreeing with his lies about us, and start cooperating with the convictions of the Holy Spirit, then we shall see a true work of God in our lives.  Little by little, God will transform us from glory to glory. 

• "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJ  

When we were born we were fully a person just really small and in need of help.  However, with time, we grew into the full grown person we were born to be.  All the potential for an adult was in that new born baby.
 
We as Christians have to allow ourselves to grow up in our walk with God.  We also have to allow those around us to do the same thing.   Just as we should never get angry with a small toddler for falling while learning to walk.  God does not grow angry with us as we learn to walk in our faith and walk with Him.   Shouldn't we offer the same sort of grace to others.  I am not talking about accepting sin.  I am talking about long suffering and grace for those who are still toddlers in the faith. 

God is not disappointed in us because we are imperfect.  As a matter of fact, He has known it all along.  He is just trying to reveal it to us thru our circumstances little by little.  I believe that the circumstances of life is what helps us see our own imperfections.  When I am going thru a hard time, I see just how imperfect I am.  It is easy to behave RIGHT when all is good and I am blessed.  However, I see the hand of God in my life when I am in the midst of hardships and trials much more clearly.  That is the time when I am able to see what I am in need of; whether it is patience, compassion etc. or that I need to stop an activity like gossip or idolatry.

God desires our obedience not our sacrifice.  God is not asking us to BE something, do something or NOT do something.  He is trying to get us to listen to Him, follow Him, obey His commands.  He will develop you into THE person He created you to be.  (if only we will cooperate)

• "But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."  1Sam 15:22

If we will obey (work with and along side God, cooperate with the work God wants to accomplish in us), we will see the glory of Lord in our lives.  We HAVE to stop trying and start TRUSTING God!   Trust God to accomplish the work in your life He needs to accomplish.

• "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

 
Our righteousness comes by faith.  First we are proclaimed righteous when we confess Christ as our savior.  Then we begin to grow up into that same righteousness little by little.  Going from one glorious stated to the next elevated state of glory.  Going from glory to glory.  

• "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJ

Hope you have a wonderful day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXut0HxncvY
Watch this along with what I have shared

Are You a Human Being or a Human Doing?

Why are we so determined to find our value in our doing.  Why is it we are either pleased with ourselves or angry with ourselves based on what we have or have not done.  I have heard it a million times that we are human "beings" not human "doings".  That sums it up.

Satan is our enemy, and he will try to get us so wrapped up in the "doing" of Christian life that we will miss out on the purpose of Christ's sacrifice.  Christ died so that we could get back our RELATIONSHIP with God.  It was torn apart in the garden and was restored on the cross.  It is by faith we believe this to be true and it is by obedience we become like Christ. 

There is such peace in surrender.  You can sit peacefully before the throne.  Open to correction without any hint of arrogance or offense.  To be fully surrendered and at peace with God is the most indescribable experience.  Nothing comes near it.  When we hear a message that may pierce our heart and convict us, I have watched over the years as believers get so offended by the message that they begin to even despise the messenger.  Well I say, we need to search our hearts before the Lord to see if the message is for us and is biblical.  If we find that it applies to us, then we must submit to it, confess it and repent.  (Submit- accept somebody else's authority, Confess- agree with God on what He says about the behavior, repent- simply stop doing it)    Why do we get so offended?  Could it be pride?  If what they are saying is however, incorrect, we do not have to take it personally.  My experience has been that when I am offended, the message touched an area of "weakness" in me.  When the message touched a nerve, I should take note.  That should be where I quickly go before the Lord to determine what is up with me.  Usually, the message touched on my sin areas or  it touched on areas where I have been trying to do it myself.

I enjoyed attending church yesterday. To me, it is so satisfying to participate in true worship of the one true and living King. I love songs that get my focus squarely on God. I enjoy singing songs that get me to really realize (for that moment) how insignificant I am in what I do, yet how valuable I am to my Savior. I was just basking in that fact yesterday and the tears began to trickle down my face. One of the songs spoke of the fact that He loves me.  The song reminded me that I love Him becasue He first loved me. Then the message proceeded to validate that point.


I began to think on the value a painter places on a blank canvas and a lump of clay to a potter. Just average people cannot see the potential in a blank canvas or lump of clay. We would never think of it as priceless. However, how many sculptures and paintings are now priceless. They are so valuable the price cannot be met. That is us to our Father. It is only when we are fully surrendered to Him are we going to become the priceless work of art that He intends. How do we do this you may ask, simple -- OBEY His commands.

It is for His glory and our good that we surrender to the hands of the potter.  Allow Him to do the doing in you today.  ALLOW Him to do the work.  That way He gets the glory and you get the peace and satisfaction that comes from submitting to something much greater than you.  We get to participate and cooperate in the work of the Creator of the Universe.  Yet it is not by what we do for Him but what He does thru us in our obedience and surrender.   This is where we begin to really develop our relationship with Him.  Praise God we don't even have to conjure up love for the unloveable.  God gives it to us.  He loves the unloveable thru us in our surrendered obedient state.  I can tell you the love that will flow out of us will feel better than any earthly love we can come up with to shower on others.  Test it and see if this is true.

I am overwhelmed by this fact even as I type.  Be blessed today.  May God bless you thru your obedient surrender today!!