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Growing up, I took pride in never being afraid of anything. This was mostly because I never ventured outside of my comfort zone. So instead of admitting things that frightened me, I just chose to never participate in them or say that they were a waste of time. Still, that was my claim to fame.
I recall one time, however, when I was truly frightened. In high school, I was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider. The infection from the spider began to spread all the way up my arm. When I eventually went to the doctor, he said, “Unless we stop the infection, we will have to cut off your right arm.” Considering that I’m right handed, this was a huge problem for me.
I couldn’t help but think how this one insect could change the course of my entire life and how its effect could leave a permanent impression of its presence. I resolved to take my anger and frustration out on every spider I’ve seen since that day. The only thought that goes through my mind whenever I see one is that it is dangerous and must be killed.
Similar to the effects of a spider bite, Jesus Christ preached a message that could change the trajectory of someone’s life if they accepted it, and because of this power, He was deemed a threat to everyone.
"59 So they took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus, by mixing with the crowd, concealed Himself and went out of the temple [enclosure]." - John 8:58 AMPC
The sad reality of Christians in America, however, is that we are not considered “dangerous” to the world or even our local government. So a question comes to mind — Have Christians lost their venom?
"13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men." - Matthew 5:13 AMPC
Isn't it interesting that Jesus was in a country where the people claimed to be lovers of God but He experienced so much hate while we are in a country that clearly doesn't love God and it has no problem with us? Why are we not perceived to be a threat to society? Is this because we have become friends with the world?
"4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God." - James 4:3-5 AMPC
The reality is that the gospel message that’s being preached today doesn’t cause significant life change; thus it has become accepted in the world.
13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." - Matthew 7 :13-14 MSG
"13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it." - Matthew 7:13-14 AMPC
How long can light coexist with darkness before one takes control of the other completely? Is it possible for us to truly follow Jesus and not offend anyone? Is it possible for us to truly follow Jesus and have many friends?
The reality is that only half of America claims God, and of that half, other than attendance to a building on Sundays, there is nothing that really differentiates between them and the non-believers. We all try to make Jesus into who we want Him to be, but the reality is that He was considered a terrorist and the people preferred the release of a murderer over Him.
"49 I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how greatly and sorely I am urged on (impelled, constrained) until it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I have come to give peace upon earth? No, I say to you, but rather division;" - Luke12:49-51 AMPC
Peter was imprisoned for preaching the gospel, and had to sleep with a soldier chained to each side of him simply because he preached the ways of Jesus Christ.
"5 So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church (assembly). 6 The very night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison." - Acts 12:5-17 AMPC
We have a country that’s falling away from Christ at a rapid pace but, surprisingly, Christians aren’t persecuted for preaching His ways.
"9 Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake." - Matthew 24:9 AMPC
A question arises — Would America be tolerant of a present day Jesus Christ? Or have they become tolerant of people who talk about but act nothing like Him? Isn’t it interesting that the laws of our country are clearly against God, but that same government making the laws has no problem with the church? The laws that are being changed are going against God, but the church hasn’t been confronted by legislation because we are also against the same God we preach -- similar to the religious rulers in Jerusalem who were justified by their government but condemned the Son of the God they claimed to worship.
"27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, who failed to recognize or understand both Jesus and the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled these [very prophecies] by condemning Him." - Acts 13:27 AMP
Do friends attack one another or do enemies? Why is the government so against God but not against the church? Why have the Bibles been removed from schools but the church hasn’t been forced underground?
There is a time in the bible where the religious people and the government were on the same page.
"3 So Judas, obtaining and taking charge of the band of soldiers and some guards (attendants) of the high priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to them and said, Whom are you seeking? [Whom do you want?] 5 They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene." - John 18:3-5 AMPC
Are we really free to worship or are we free because we aren’t truly worshiping?
"8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. 9 Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines" - Matthew 15:8-9 CJB
Question of the Day: Would the Devil consider you dangerous to his kingdom?