Which Jesus?
Christians in Every nation for the last three hundred years have suffered persecution. The only exception is the United States. It’s easy to lose heart and become disheartened about the recent state of affairs in America. In days gone by, it was an advantage in American society to be considered a Christian. However, today, the popular culture has relegated Christians to despised, intolerant, unenlightened second-class citizens. Christians used to be praised and revered. Today Christians are humiliated, ridiculed and dismissed.
If America finds herself far from God, who moved? There are paradoxes in the word of God… from God’s perspective the world is upside down. Men call good evil and evil good. When God reveals the light of truth, then those who have eyes to see can flee from the darkness of this world to pursue the light of Christ. When we are born again of God’s spirit, he will open the eyes of our spiritual understanding so that we can perceive the from God’s heavenly perspective.
What men meant for evil, God meant for good. When a nation does not kneel voluntarily in reverence to the Lord, God allows the troubles, trials, and tribulation of this world to bring a nation to its knees. In God’s time, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.
Following after the Lord Jesus Christ is a choice…. It is an deliberate, intentional, and purposeful act of will. You choose what you love. What is it that you love the most? We love what pleases us. When we love God above all, our greatest desire is to please the Lord and do that which is acceptable… well pleasing unto Him.
James said, whoever doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed… for a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. However, he that doeth the will of the Lord, happy is he. When we deliberately delight ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our heart.
It’s easy to fall away from the path that God has prepared for us to walk according to his divine design. When we are distracted and stray from the straight path… when we deviate into “Bypass Meadow”, how do we get back into the way of the Lord? As Paul said in Romans 7, That which I would, I do not do, and that which I would not do, that I do. Who shall deliver me from this dead body? The answer to this question at the end Romans chapter 7 is in Romans chapter 8…. There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.
Jesus said, in order to find your life you must lose it. Missionary Jim Elliot said, He’s no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to keep that which he cannot lose. Jesus said, for what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?
Jesus said, take heed and beware of covetousness, (avarice, greed and the desire for material possessions.). For he has said, I shall never leave you nor forsake you. Our blessing, our portion in this world, our allotment is not in the things of this world…. It is not in money, wealth, possessions, popularity, or praise of men. These things are fleeting. They are here today and gone tomorrow. What is it thatwe really need? All I need is thee.
Jesus completed the sermon on the mount with an illustration. He said, he that hears the truth of the word of God but does not do it is like a man who built his house on the sand. It may look good on the outside. But it is built on shifting sand and does not have a firm foundation. Then when the storms raged and the wind and waves surged, the house fell and great was the fall of It. The storms of life undermine the shifting sands of good intentions without action.
Jesus said, there is none good. No one is inherently good, for as Paul said, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. Only God is good. If there is any good, this goodness comes from God himself. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) “Good” bibliblically speaking, means “fit for the purpose designed by the designer.” Another word for Good means that which is beautiful by God’s Devine design.
Jesus Christ can be seen either from the perspective of Orange County or from God’s heavenly perspective. Jesus of the OC is an uncrucified Christ. There is no price to pay, no cost of following him… Jesus of the OC offers a cheap salvation. However the Jesus of Nazareth says, count the cost…. If they hated me, they will hate you. Jesus of Nazareth said, Blessed are they when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven.
Jesus of the OC is politically correct. Jesus of Nazareth is biblically correct.
Jesus of the OC says truth is relative. Jesus of Nazareth says truth is absolute.
Jesus of Orange County says, peace is based on circumstances. Jesus of Nazareth says, I am the prince of peace.
Jesus of the OC says, study the word so that you will know. Jesus of Nazareth says, study to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Jesus of the OC says, God’s purpose is to love, bless and serve me. Jesus of Nazareth says, my purpose is to love, serve, and worship the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength….
Jesus of Orange County says, God’s job is to set me free from captivity. Jesus of Nazareth says, make me a captive Lord and then I shall be free…. Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be… Imprison me within thine arms and free shall be my stand…
That in loving God above all, we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
