It’s Time…It’s Time To Speak
I need to preface this blog post. This was a hard post to write, and it may be a hard post to read, but I had to write it.
I am writing this to believers in Christ. So if my remarks seems insensitive or judgemental, I am speaking from the depths of my heart. And those that know me, know my motives and actions are sincere in hopes of uniting the body of Christ together. In hopes of shining a positive light to edify and lift up someone who is wandering down the wrong path.
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5:19-20 ESV
I have stayed silent for too long when I see fellow believers do, say, post things that they believe are biblical. But I am compelled to say enough is enough.
Just because you think what you or someone else does is right, doesn’t make it right. We are supposed to be salt and light. We are supposed to shine light to the darkest areas. We are supposed to give flavor in the lacklustre of life. We are supposed to be different.
People may say that things mentioned in the Old Testament do not apply to believers. But Christ said we are to follow the rules of the Old Testament. Christ didn’t come to tear apart the law, but to fulfill it. So all the things people say are not relavent because of Christ, are wrong. They are still relevant. God was trying to protect His children from making bad decisions. Decisions people make today with the umbrella of grace to save them.
Christ never corrected the Old Testament. He never said this doesn’t apply anymore. He never said you are allowed to do these things because Moses was wrong when he wrote them. He never did that. So things that were wrong then are still wrong now.
If your life doesn’t look any different than a non-believer, you haven’t transformed them to Christ. No, you have just conformed yourself to the world.
If that statement causes anger, I am sorry. We need to reconcile. We need to start over. We need to forgive. We need to repent. We need let go of the anger that so easily divides, and breeds, and sours, and stews.
We are to love. Not hate.
Doesn’t matter what political party, race, economic status, educational background, or state you live. We are called to love.
If you are having relations with someone other than your spouse. That is wrong. Sorry, but this generation has grown accustomed to living with your significant other before even deciding if marriage is in the future. That doesn’t mean you are being smart before taking the plunge into marriage. That’s not smart, but playing with multiple fires that only causes the devil to grin. Nowhere in the Bible is that allowed. No where.
Yet most people getting married in the church today only wear a white wedding dress for the beauty. Not the symbolism. And that goes for the men too. Just because a man doesn’t wear a white dress, he should too be pure on his wedding day.
But sadly, 40 year old virgins are mocked with blockbuster comedies. But I’m proud to say. Mock me. I’m fine with it. I wish more people had the peace I have.
If your life doesn’t look any different than a nonbeliever…
If your marriage fails, just get a divorce. Isn’t that the slogan? Better luck next time. But biblically speaking, that is totally unacceptable in almost every scenario. When 50% of marriages end in divorce, we have a problem.
Once again, if your life doesn’t look any different than a nonbeliever…
If you make a promise. Keep it. There is nothing worse than promising to do something and then backing out. The core need in life is relationships and if you keep breaking your oath, who will trust you in the coming years.
This may seem petty, but it’s true.
If you say you will help out at church, do it. Be prepared. Do your best. Be ready, willing, and able. But don’t flounder Sunday morning because you don’t feel like it.
We believers need to hold each other accountable.
And I’m sorry that I have been holding anyone accountable. I’ve been trying to be the people pleaser, but biblically speaking, that notion isn’t in the Bible. It’s a notion the world has planted in our hearts to make us feel better.
But I would rather please my God and help someone lost than watch my fellow brother walk the road leading to destruction because I didn’t want to offend him.
There are going to be many people walking unoffended to Hell and that sickens me.
In this political season it is easy to retaliate. It’s easy to get defensive and spat back hurtful remarks.
Just don’t. Please.
If someone smacks you with an insult, don’t throw a low blow to devastate them.
That will not build them up. That will only make things worse.
Don’t spread the hate. But spread the love. We believers are called to love everyone, even the people who ridicule, mock, hate us. We are called to still show them love.
If you were on trial for being a Christian…would a jury of your peers and family find you guilty?
If you’re not being charitable in your giving and offerings, shame on you. God has blessed each and every one of us and we are called to give. Not from our leftovers, but from the first flow of abundance. If you wait to give after you pay your bills, is your phone bill more important than God?
I’ll let you tell Him that.
You can have every excuse in the book, but if God knows the number of hairs on your head, He also knows the truth of your heart.
When you fast or pray in public or do anything “spiritual” don’t gloat. Don’t post about it. Don’t puff yourself up for being a good Christian.
If the purpose behind reading the Bible is to brag about it so you can say you read the entire bible in a year, you are no different than a person in a book club discussing the latest New York Times bestseller.
Don’t belittle His words. Just don’t. His words are too good.
If you are worrying about this election. If you are fearful of the wrong party getting in power. If you are churning in thoughts of fear. Don’t.
You can’t say you are worried about this world and also say God has it under control. Those are conflicting statements.
Either say you are worried and need to trust God more. Or God has this. But don’t say both. Just don’t.
If you are judging someone, beware. Be very aware.
This post may sound like I’m judging, but I’m not judging one person in particular. I’m also commanding myself to follow what I’m saying. But if you do start picking out someone’s mistakes, be prepared for them to pick out yours. It’s common human nature to go into a defense posture mode when feeling attacked and words are our best weapon.
Once a word is said, it can never be unheard.
Once again…who are you living like?
Pray. Pray again. And pray some more. Pray believing. Pray knowing. Pray to open what you are called to open.
Everyone knows the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Christians and nonchristians alike know this saying.
But are you living like you know it?
The better question may be, are living like you follow it?
Watch out for lies. Watch out for good lines that seem true. Watch out for beliefs that uplift and showcase love without limits. Even God has limits to a certain point. He loves all, but He doesn’t love everything we do.
We can not grasp this concept because we are not pure, or blameless, or perfect…but God is. He sees the bad things we do and despises the error of our ways. But yet, He gives grace. But don’t let your grace be a crutch.
If your salvation is just a fire protection plan to live life the way you want…are you truly a believer? Because a follower should want to change. A follower should want to grow closer to God.
So if your life isn’t any different than your neighbor, you really need to look closer at your life.
It would be horrible to go through life living with the world, but thinking you were living with Christ. It would be horrible to be blindsided and told you were never a believer because you believed what the world said and not what Christ said.
It would be horrible to be separated from God forever.
Please don’t be separated from Him. Please.
Open your ears. Listen for His voice. Not the voice of the world. Not the voice of your own thoughts. Not the cunning voice of Satan who parades and masquerades as the son of the dawn that deceives. Build your life on Christ and His words and His teachings.
If you’re living your life with teachings that go against the Bible, it’s time to stop.
It’s time to turn to God.
It’s time. And He’s ready for you.
You may think that this post is judgemental. You may think I am brainwashed or living in the 1950s…but read the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7. The most famous sermon given.
I only brought up things Jesus mentioned. These are not my thoughts. These were His. I’m only sharing what He wants you to know.
I could have went into other subjects that are being discussed now like it’s no big deal…but those views are a big deal.
If you have a view that opposes the Bible, no matter how good it may sound, it still isn’t approved by God.
No matter how many people say it’s okay. If God doesn’t say it’s okay, then it’s not okay.
May we all turn more to God and listen to ourselves and our friends a little less.
If I wanted to get a medical opinion I would go to a doctor. If I want to get an understanding of my car I would go see a mechanic. If I wanted to get some assurance on my soul, I would turn only to God.
People lead people into pits all the time and never know it until everyone has fell.
You don’t have to fall.
Peace and love to all
