What They Think
What They Think
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” John 15:18
Jumping to conclusions can wear a person out! Yet that's all some folks do. We see people jumping to conclusions every day on television. We read it. We hear it on the radio. We see it on the Internet. And sometimes conclusions jump out of our own mouths. The Bible categorizes this behavior as a path to folly: One who gives an answer before he hears, “It is foolishness and shame to him.” Proverbs 18:13.
In the real world, the obvious thing to do is to go straight to the person and ask them to tell their side of the story. A dedicated news reporter would go even farther, interviewing other witnesses and gathering facts through research. In this crazy, convoluted world, we have to decide whether we want to be independent thinkers or go with the herd. The mob rules when people tickle our ears and tell us what they want us to know and when we allow our emotions to tell us what to think. And the mob wins when we value someone else's word more than we value the truth. The real truth is God's Word (John 17:17).
The only exercise some people get is running their mouth, jumping to conclusions, and pushing their luck. Things are often not what they appear to be. Take the time and effort you would want others to put into searching for the truth about you, and do what's right even when no one else does.
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Sadly, we live in a world where people have grown used to drawing lines in the sand. We are choosing sides, even though we are all citizens of the same nations. No longer is it possible to simply disagree on an issue and still be friends. In today’s world you either agree with me, or you are my enemy. Much of what we see around us are individuals who are driven by their emotions which are reacting to incorrect information.
Look at politics! Republican or Democrat? Republicans are painted as racist elitists who are all rich and simply what to put down the “little man.” Democrats are painted as the savior of all who champion the rights of the oppressed. What is the truth? Democrats led the way to keep slavery. Democrats enacted the Jim Crow laws. Democrats pushed for abortion as a way to depopulate the African American population in the USA. Democrats have done much harm to our nation and our people. As for the Republicans, there are many who have used their positions of power to get rich off the backs of the American people. Many were complicit in the actions of others which has caused great harm to our nation. Enough said!
What about the education system? Our kids are taught only one truth and that is what the government wants them to learn. This includes very little accurate history and a whole lot of inaccurate science. There is more focus on social agenda and social engineering than on actual academics.
What about the Church? Truth is irrelevant. Whatever feels good, do it! The church as a whole in our society has sold out to the cult of popularity.
Place all this in the context of Jesus’ day. What were politics like? Do whatever will cause the least friction and get along. Be complicit and don’t make waves.
What about society and religion? Live by a ridged adherence to the Law or suffer the consequences. All except the religious leaders who made multiple exceptions for themselves which allowed them freedoms others could only imagine. There was a perverted view of the Word of God and what was taught was not in accordance to Scripture. Add to this that some people are better than others and you have a right to look down on them and treat them in detestable ways and you have a world not too unlike ours today.
Now place yourself in that context as Jesus! He came to speak and act according to the heart of God the Father and in accord with the Word of God. He chastised those who took advantage of the system for personal gain. He taught on the equality of all people, thus elevating women and non-Jews. He gave us the “render unto Caesar and unto God” understanding. And what was the attitude Jesus received for speaking the truth? He was hated by many!!!
Ultimately, it all boils down to who you want to be. Do you want to compromise everything to simply get along and fit in? Or do you want to stand for God in the middle of a world which loves lies? Choose your poison!!!
If you choose compromise, then you choose the wide and broad path which will be trimmed in beautiful flowers, filled with great parties, and all the comforts of life. You will be well-liked and respected by almost everyone, and you will spend your days not only be admired but wielding great influence on others. This broad comfortable road will be a smooth journey straight into the pits of hell!
Or you can choose to stand for God. If this is your choice than you have already chosen a difficult like. Your stand against the moral decay of society, the corruptions in both political parties, the debacle of our education system, and most pointedly the unfaithfulness of so many who fill the pulpits and sit in the pews of our churches will bring down much wrath upon you. You will be hated! Just as Jesus was hated. Hated for doing what was right and hated simply for being who He was.
This is your choice! Choose wisely! Because the choice of standing for God is not easy, but it comes with a unbelievable retirement plan. The path will be narrow and steep, but it leads to the glorious kingdom of God and His eternal blessings.
Think about it,
Pastor Russ
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” John 15:18
Jumping to conclusions can wear a person out! Yet that's all some folks do. We see people jumping to conclusions every day on television. We read it. We hear it on the radio. We see it on the Internet. And sometimes conclusions jump out of our own mouths. The Bible categorizes this behavior as a path to folly: One who gives an answer before he hears, “It is foolishness and shame to him.” Proverbs 18:13.
In the real world, the obvious thing to do is to go straight to the person and ask them to tell their side of the story. A dedicated news reporter would go even farther, interviewing other witnesses and gathering facts through research. In this crazy, convoluted world, we have to decide whether we want to be independent thinkers or go with the herd. The mob rules when people tickle our ears and tell us what they want us to know and when we allow our emotions to tell us what to think. And the mob wins when we value someone else's word more than we value the truth. The real truth is God's Word (John 17:17).
The only exercise some people get is running their mouth, jumping to conclusions, and pushing their luck. Things are often not what they appear to be. Take the time and effort you would want others to put into searching for the truth about you, and do what's right even when no one else does.
+++
Sadly, we live in a world where people have grown used to drawing lines in the sand. We are choosing sides, even though we are all citizens of the same nations. No longer is it possible to simply disagree on an issue and still be friends. In today’s world you either agree with me, or you are my enemy. Much of what we see around us are individuals who are driven by their emotions which are reacting to incorrect information.
Look at politics! Republican or Democrat? Republicans are painted as racist elitists who are all rich and simply what to put down the “little man.” Democrats are painted as the savior of all who champion the rights of the oppressed. What is the truth? Democrats led the way to keep slavery. Democrats enacted the Jim Crow laws. Democrats pushed for abortion as a way to depopulate the African American population in the USA. Democrats have done much harm to our nation and our people. As for the Republicans, there are many who have used their positions of power to get rich off the backs of the American people. Many were complicit in the actions of others which has caused great harm to our nation. Enough said!
What about the education system? Our kids are taught only one truth and that is what the government wants them to learn. This includes very little accurate history and a whole lot of inaccurate science. There is more focus on social agenda and social engineering than on actual academics.
What about the Church? Truth is irrelevant. Whatever feels good, do it! The church as a whole in our society has sold out to the cult of popularity.
Place all this in the context of Jesus’ day. What were politics like? Do whatever will cause the least friction and get along. Be complicit and don’t make waves.
What about society and religion? Live by a ridged adherence to the Law or suffer the consequences. All except the religious leaders who made multiple exceptions for themselves which allowed them freedoms others could only imagine. There was a perverted view of the Word of God and what was taught was not in accordance to Scripture. Add to this that some people are better than others and you have a right to look down on them and treat them in detestable ways and you have a world not too unlike ours today.
Now place yourself in that context as Jesus! He came to speak and act according to the heart of God the Father and in accord with the Word of God. He chastised those who took advantage of the system for personal gain. He taught on the equality of all people, thus elevating women and non-Jews. He gave us the “render unto Caesar and unto God” understanding. And what was the attitude Jesus received for speaking the truth? He was hated by many!!!
Ultimately, it all boils down to who you want to be. Do you want to compromise everything to simply get along and fit in? Or do you want to stand for God in the middle of a world which loves lies? Choose your poison!!!
If you choose compromise, then you choose the wide and broad path which will be trimmed in beautiful flowers, filled with great parties, and all the comforts of life. You will be well-liked and respected by almost everyone, and you will spend your days not only be admired but wielding great influence on others. This broad comfortable road will be a smooth journey straight into the pits of hell!
Or you can choose to stand for God. If this is your choice than you have already chosen a difficult like. Your stand against the moral decay of society, the corruptions in both political parties, the debacle of our education system, and most pointedly the unfaithfulness of so many who fill the pulpits and sit in the pews of our churches will bring down much wrath upon you. You will be hated! Just as Jesus was hated. Hated for doing what was right and hated simply for being who He was.
This is your choice! Choose wisely! Because the choice of standing for God is not easy, but it comes with a unbelievable retirement plan. The path will be narrow and steep, but it leads to the glorious kingdom of God and His eternal blessings.
Think about it,
Pastor Russ
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