Jesus hung out with hookers and crooks.

     Recently I read an article where a young lady changed her political views after what she called a deeper exploration of the Bible.  She came to the conclusion that the Jesus preached by conservative, evangelicals was not the Jesus of the Bible. Her claim is that the Jesus of the Bible "encouraged his followers to 'sell their possessions' and give them to the poor. He hung out with hookers and crooks." I hear this type of reasoning all the time in defense of ideas such as Bible studies in Bars with themes like "Beer, Conversation, and God". (Which does tell the priority right?)  The logic goes, we have to reach people like Jesus did, where they are.
     Did Jesus "hang out with hookers and crooks?"  Did He simply call His followers to "sell their possessions and give them to the poor"?  Let's see what the Bible has to say!
     Who did Jesus spend the majority of His time with?  An objective look at the Gospel record will show that He spent the majority of His time with the twelve men He specifically called to be His Apostles.  He walked, talked, ate, slept, and conversed with these men on practically a daily basis for the duration of His ministry.  He was training these men.  He was teaching His Church.  These are the ones that Jesus "hung out" with.  He was preparing them to spread His message to the rest of the World after His Own death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to Heaven.  During this time He also had occasional dealings with harlots and cheats, as well as with the religious elite of the day.  Jesus ate in the Pharisees' houses just as much as He did in the houses of the Publicans.  But when Jesus ate with the "cheats" (publicans) what were the circumstances?
    Again, let's look at what the Scriptures say.  We can find the account in Mark 2:14-17. In verse 14, Jesus calls Levi (also known as Matthew) to follow Him.  At that call, Levi left the table where he was receiving taxes, and followed Jesus.  Verse 15 then tells that Jesus was eating in Levi's house and that many publicans and sinners were present.  Jesus called Levi, and then Levi invited his friends to a meal to meet Jesus.  Mark 2:16 reveals that this meal upset the religious elite.  How dare Jesus eat with sinners.  To this Jesus replied that He "...came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  Here is where we find the difference between what modern liberal theologians claim and Biblical Christianity.
     People claim that Jesus "hung out" with sinners, and that justifies us going into bars, and stooping to the world's standards in order to reach people.  They will continue these things perpetually, because they never challenge those they are reaching in these places to CHANGE!  Can we honestly believe that Matthew continued to be a "cheat' after He met Jesus?  The harlot that Jesus "hung out with" was named Mary Magdalene.  Can we honestly believe she continued to be a prostitute after she met Jesus?  NO!  They repented!  Jesus didn't call us to strive for good works here and make ourselves acceptable unto Him.  He called us to REPENT. Are those who have Bible studies in bars trying to persuade those gathered to turn away from the alcohol, or are they joining in and condoning fleshly living?  I believe Jesus said "REPENT"!
     The Greek word translated repent is meta-knosis. This is a compound Greek word.  It comes from meta; which means to change, and from knosis; which means to think.  Literally, it means to change our thinking.  We are to change our thinking about sin, not justify it.  We should look at sin like God sees sin, and turn away from it.  Good works should happen because we ARE saved, not in order to be saved.  Salvation doesn't work like that.
     Now, what about this idea that we are supposed to sell our possessions and give to the poor?  The closest thing I can find in the Scriptures to this is recorded in Mark 10:21. (This exchange is also recorded in Matthew and Luke.)  Here, Jesus is confronted by a rich young man who asks the question, "what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17)  After this young man claims that he has been keeping the law, Jesus then tells him to sell all that he has, give it to the poor, and follow Him.  By studying this account in context, we should be able to see that Jesus isn't calling His disciples to sell their possessions and give to the poor.  He is, instead, pointing out to this young man what is keeping him from a true relationship with Jesus.  Mark 10:22 reveals, "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."  He was unwilling to give up his materialism to follow Jesus.  What was Jesus doing?  He was trying to get this young man to REPENT!
     I find it heart-breaking that so many people think that Jesus is ok with sinful activity and try to use Scripture to justify it.  Many today believe that because God is Love, He doesn't really care what they do.  Yes He is Love, but He is also Just!  He doesn't want us to suffer the eternal consequences of sin; death, Hell, and the eventual Lake of Fire.  This is why He died on the cross in our place.   He came to deliver us from the bondage of sin.  I pray that we will open our eyes to the truth and let Jesus change us!  Repent!

Find Your Own Way to God

   

    The first major doctrine that needs to be challenged is the concept that God intended salvation to be relativistic and pluralistic. We often hear the mantra, "we have to find our own road to God."  This is NOT the message that the Scriptures give us.  (Remember, this blog is based upon the Word of God and the Christianity which the Scriptures present.)
     First, let me say, salvation is open to all people.  John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world..."  He did not simply love a select few.  We also have the understanding that "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)  Titus adds, "For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." (Titus 2:11)  All means all, so every person has the opportunity to receive salvation from God.
      Since all have the opportunity to be saved, can each person find God His own way?  Can we each come to God on our own terms?  Again, let us refer to the Scriptures.  Jesus said, "... I am the way,the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)  The Book of Acts records, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  A third verse we could look to is John 3:36 which states, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"  These verses alone should make it abundantly clear that unless you believe on Jesus Christ as Savior, you are not going to get to Heaven.  Instead you will face the wrath of God.
     Everyone CAN come to God, but you have to come HIS way! The modern theology which states that we can find God in our own way is a false doctrine that has many thinking they have found a relationship with God, when they have been fooled into worshiping a god of their own choosing. I pray that people will wake up to this delusion and come to know Jesus Christ as Savior before it is too late. We can try to satisfy the judgment penalty of sin in other ways, but we will find it falling short.  Prophetically, Isaiah gives us the answer on how to satisfy God's standards,"He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities" (Isaiah 53:11)
     In the relativism of our modern world, it sounds great to have the ability to approach God anyway we want, but the Truth of the matter is that, again, we must come to God in His prescribed way. It is especially disturbing to me to hear of those claiming to be Christians espousing such a damaging doctrine.  Let us know and stand for the truth!
     So let me ask YOU, the reader a question; Do YOU know Jesus Christ as your Savior?  Have you called upon His name?  Do YOU trust HIM for your salvation, or are you trusting in something else?
"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ,..." (I John 3:23)

But I say unto you. . .

I have a little girl.  As a parent, part of my job is to point her in the right direction.  It involves teaching her that my voice has valuable information which will be critical to her success.  There are many other voices out there which will compete with mine.  Some of them may catch her ear.  She will ultimately have to decide for herself which voice she will listen to.  It scares me to think of this reality.

     This challenge reminds me of the Words of Jesus found in Matthew chapter 5.  In part of the "Sermon on the Mount"  Jesus used the teaching formula; "Ye have heard it said . . . but I say unto you."  With these words, He was challenging people to consider what they had been taught, and compare it to His Words.  Then, each individual would have to decide what they would follow; what they had been taught, or Him.  Those that found value in the Words of Jesus, would apply His wonderful teaching to their lives. Those that did not would ultimately continue in their traditions.  How frustrating this must have been for Jesus who only had the peoples' best interest in mind?

     Similarly, as a pastor, what I preach must be weighed against all other messages.  Am I teaching the traditions of men?  Am I teaching my philosophy?  Or, as is always intended, Am I preaching the Word of God?  It will be up to those hearing, or reading to decide.  I am starting this blog to try to point people in the direction that I believe to be right.  Much of today's religion focuses on feelings and opinions instead of Scripture.  I hope to challenge preconceived ideas.  It is desirable that people will compared what they know with what is said.  Ultimately, again, you will have to choose.  I hope many will join me on this journey.  May we not be guilty of the Words of Matthew 15:8-9.  "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Thank You!

Philip