Tolerant, Intolerant or Both: A Balanced and Biblical Approach

Mark 9:38-40: And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

Crying Out for God

Do you ever find yourself crying out for God?

Lately I have had such a burning desiring to see God.

I am ready, I am ready to be with God. I want to experience what Paul talks about with seeing God face to face. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 he writes, For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Is that what John felt like in the end of writing the book of Revelation when he cries out that the Lord would come quickly?

Jesus says, I am coming soon--to which John responds Amen.! Come Lord Jesus! (22:20)

And I say, "Come."

I didn't feel this way 10 years ago, but now I am ready. I can honestly say there isn't anything I want to remain on this earth to do. I have experienced enough at just 46 years old to say there is nothing left holding me here.

Teenagers can't relate to this. Young adults can't related to this. I couldn't. But now I am ready to see the Lord. The toil of life grows weary. And many many days by God's grace I experience the abundant life but opportunity to experience all that God has for those who love his coming is drawing me more and more to the other side.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor 2:9).

Again Paul said, "I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account." (Phil 1:23-24)

I pray my ministry is productive enough to declare that it is better for me to stay on account of those in the church and my son but that perhaps is quite boastful.

Come Lord Jesus--come and rapture your church.

Thy kingdom come and thy will be done on this earth as it is in heaven!

The Greatest Servant of All: Are You?

Have you ever considered how much the gospel speaks to how to be servant of Christ? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:34-35)

That Nasty Little Four-Letter Word

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

In this verse, Paul issues an apostolic directive—a commandment—with the same authority as the Lord Jesus Himself. With such a clear commandment from the Lord, why are so many people struggling with this concept? Last Sunday night, Pastor Bill reminded us that the purpose of civil government as established and ordained by God was NOT to protect people from poverty.

What then is God’s plan to protect people from poverty? The answer is found in this verse. Work! Work is God’s plan to protect people from poverty. Welfare is NOT biblical. Work is biblical. Compassion is biblical. Love is God-like. But getting paid to do nothing is not biblical. In fact it is anti-biblical.

Yet, we have Christians who vote for politicians who enact anti-biblical legislation that enables sin. Are you one? There are only two reasons why someone would vote for a politician that supports the entitlement enabling mentality that exists in America. Reason 1: Ignorance. This Christian is not aware of such a clear biblical directive—don’t work, don’t eat. Or, reason 2: Rebellion. This Christian doesn’t care about the application of the truth of God’s Word in the culture of man—ultimately, this is rebellion against God.

But what if someone cannot work? That is a reasonable question, and the Bible addresses that directly. First the family has a responsibility to care for its members. In fact, Paul states that “if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8). Then Paul goes on to explain that those with a family who have a legitimate need should be provided for by the church—not the federal government.

It is a liberal, progressive, social justice ideal that the federal government will eliminate poverty. But poverty will never be eliminated. Jesus said you will always have the poor with you (Mark 14:7). Poverty cannot be eliminated because laziness is a sin in all human beings that will never be completely defeated because all will not be saved. That is just the fact—it sounds harsh, but that is just the way it is. We should seek to do good to all and especially those in the family of God. Paul wrote, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10).

The reality is eliminating poverty is an impossibility. In fact, the welfare state makes the problem worse. Have you watched the 3 minute documentary on Youtube about “Obama Bucks?” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5tqH7UrzOw). It is a glaring example of precisely what I am talking about.

Hunger is the greatest motivator to work, and it is a legitimate form of motivation. A desire NOT to be poor is also a legitimate motivator for work. Finally, the ultimate motivation to work hard should be to glorify God. Our Lord Jesus set the example for us. He was a hard worker.