Tuesday, July 2, 2019

How We Think Matters

The liberals have moved from telling us how we should think to punishing us for not thinking like them.

For years we shared our views and ideas with others only to be accused of "shoving our beliefs down their throats." It wasn't true we were merely sharing as everyone else was sharing but in our case we were not allowed to have our views if they differed from the liberal view.

We are living in a strange world in which those who are bullies punish anyone who does not think the way they do or do the things they do.

We have seen this in church gatherings for years where the pressure to conform to the pack was much more subtle. Back then the clique simply excluded you, looked at you sideways or rolled their eyes in contempt so others would fear being our friends.

Yes, there is pressure in the liberal and apostate churches for those attending to be what others want them to be, not what God would want, but what the culture of that group wants.

These groups are more hostile toward non-conformists than non-believer have been in many cases.

There is a "religiosity" that might seem good with lots of words that sound like love when in fact they are not loving and their actions are not according to God's Word.

There are mantra's that say "come as you are you will be loved." The suggestion in that comment is that when you come to our gathering nothing will be expected of you, you can remain just as you are forever and we will all be happy with you.

The problem with this mentality is that it presumes that love means being friendly. There is a basic misunderstanding that love means acceptance of every sin as long as everyone is glowingly happy. This is not love, its hate!

When we love someone we tell them the truth and equip them with the Word of God to learn the way of salvation. Anyone interested in truth will come as they are but will not remain as they are, they will grow and change into something better, that is the likeness of Christ.

Christ never leaves us as we are, He teaches and trains us to mold us into His image. This must be our goal for everyone that comes to our gatherings. Not that they come to be happy and comfortable but that they become a new creation. Those who come just to have a club to join ought either to become convicted and become born again or leave under the weight of conviction.

2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [a]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

John 16:7-9 "…7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;"

There is nothing more exciting than to see a wicked human being transformed into a born again follower of Christ. There is no greater joy than becoming a new creation in Christ.

Those who become born again didn't realize how unhappy they were until they became a new creation by the hand of God, then the joy was overwhelming and overflowing.

John 15:10-11"These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" .




Their Goodness is in their Own Minds Only

Our problem in this country was in following the "experts" in believing self esteem was a good thing.

I argued with several "Christians" back in the 70's who believed we needed self esteem. I argued from the Bible and they still fought to defend it.

Even now as we see how it has ruined this culture those fighters back then do not remember how wrong they were, they still defend it. Their children are ruined, the country is ruined and the churches are ruined because of the "me first" mentality.

Even more astonishing is that these ruined people do not think they are ruined, they believe they are doing well. When compared to the Bible, their lives are selfish and ruinous no matter how they view themselves. After all, they were taught for years that they were special and nothing they do needs correction or modification. In short, they are gods in their own minds.

Romans 3:9-10 "9What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous,not even one. 11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.…"

Remembering Back in the Day

YEP!!! Sounds just like me. Only I remember the party line on the phone wired to the wall. I remember the wringer washing machines too.
Image may contain: text that says 'I'm So Old That I have dialed a rotary phone, listened to music off an 8-track tape, watched a black and white TV with foil on the rabbit ear antennas, and went through a whole day without taking a picture of myself.'

Know the Enemy While Following Christ

YES, I know people just like this!!!! Those who elevate them will not hear truth about them. They worship what they do not know.
Image may contain: text that says 'Narcissists have secrel lives. They lie effortlessly. They are two aced-appearing with a perfect public image that most pcople believe. In the shadows, when no one is looking. they do tremendous damage lo f'amily members. including their children.'