In Romans 2:24 Paul says to the church "no wonder the world blasphemes the name of God because of you." People look at the church in many cases as rightly don't want to be like them.
Jesus also said in Matthew 5:"YOU are the SALT of the earth. But what good is SALT if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."
Jesus is saying there are parts of the church (SALT) that has lost its flavour - that will be thrown out as worthless.
Much of current evangelicalism is not salt and light. They make pathetic excuses to ignore the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Bible tells us in Luke 10:29
"The religious leader wanted to justify his actions and so he said, "Who is my neighbor?"
Are not little girls having their breasts cut off our neighbor? Of course they are.
Thank you, Geoffrey, for this timely writing piece. From my point of view as a returned Prodigal, I think with humility of the sheer tenacity, relentlessness and mercy of God and His Son. They did not cease calling and calling and calling me back Home, for the whole 35 years I fled. I can never forget this fact that I was welcomed back, even covered in sin and grime. They began to help me clean up step by step and with such love, I could not flee ever again. Even if I get frustrated with others at times, I remember the mercy and also Romans 5:8: "But God commends his love toward us, in that, when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Wendy
I am late to this post, but glad you pointed out this wake-up call. I've wondered and asked: where are the calls to pray for the salvation of these folks, who are dead in trespass like we once were. Are we asking God to bring them to repentance, transfer them from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son, just as we have been? Are we praying for the Lord of the harvest to send harvesters where it is ripe?
May our outrage drive us to our knees in in thanksgiving for His mercy and anguish for their souls.
We are not to judge outsiders, as they are lost ignorant and know nothing of the ways of Christ Jesus or heavenly father, we do share the good news about Jesus Christ in grace & speak the sum of God's whole truths to them in love, especially when they ask questions, warning them to repent, believe the gospel, and be accounted worthy to escape all the things that will befall the unrepentant and to stand before the Son of Man!
We must personally be in right standing with our father in heaven by holy living and in expectation for the Lord's return, and how we honour living out our lives in Christ & to heavenly father through his indwelling Holy Spirit being led by it, this being reflected in every choice we make and how we live in this world, in it but not of it, and touching no unclean thing, not loving the things in this word, the desires of the eyes of the vain pride of life or the debased things it offers; 1 John2: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
Demonstrating to the outside world a distinction from their choices made out of merely their base carnal flesh of soulish desires feeding those licentious cravings because they are in ignorance.
1 Corinthians 5:11
but now I write you not to mingle with, if any that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with the such no, not to eat.
12 For what have I to do with judging those without? Do not YE judge those within,
13 and those without ·God judgeth? Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
Interestingly Did you know what the early Christians did when Rome had it's entertainment of Colosseums and amphitheatres and even the Olympics?
In the beginning, they were held at the great sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece, and they were part of pagan worship. They began with prayer and with sacrifices to the gods. So how do you think the early Christians viewed the Olympics? Well as you can probably guess, the early Christians refused to have anything to do with the Olympic Games. In fact if a Christian became an Olympic athlete you would be put out of the church. If you were one before you became a Christian, they would not allow you to be baptized until you had totally left that profession.
In contrast, today if an Olympic athlete is a professing Christian, he or she is viewed with great admiration by most “Bible-believing Christians.” I realize that probably the vast majority of people who call themselves “Bible-believing Christians, etc” deny Christ by the way they live.
How can we possibly imagine that we can glorify God by being involved with something Christians originally refused to have anything to do with? The Olympic Games originated as part of worship of Zeus.
There were four main types of entertainment that were popular throughout the Roman Empire. • Sports and athletic events. • Spectacles in the arena and amphitheater. • The theaters. • Banqueting.
So the New Testament Christians didn’t go to the same entertainment events that the world did, and so as a result the world hated them and spoke evil of them.
Tacitus was a Roman historian who lived in the first century. He referred to Christians as “enemies of the human race.” He noted how Nero blamed the burning of Rome on them, and sentenced them to cruel deaths as a result. Even though Tacitus deplored Nero, he had little sympathy for the Christians. To him they were “enemies of the human race,” and they got what they deserved.
The apologetic works of Tertullian entitled The Shows.He addressed this work to the pagans. He writes:
“We renounce all your spectacles…. Among us nothing is ever said, seen, or heard that has anything in common with the madness of the circus, the immodesty of the theater, the atrocities of the arena, or the useless exercise of the wrestling ground. Why do you take offense at us because we differ from you in regard to your pleasures?”
Tertullian (c. 197), 3.46.
Again he writes: We do not go to your spectacles. As for the merchandise that is sold there, if I need them, I will obtain them more readily at their proper places. Tertullian (c. 197), 3.49.
Lactantius, a Christian writer in the early fourth century, made this observation:Those who come for the sake of beholding the spectacle actually display more of a spectacle themselves. I am referring to when they begin to shout…. and to leap from their seats…. Lactantius (c. 304-313), 7.188. Now if somehow you imagine that these early Christians were fanatics or that the New Testament Christians were not like that, think about what Peter said in 1 Peter 4:4: In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
Would we be so quick with outrage if our lives were asked of us as a result? My audience is the lukewarm Christian, but when the Antichrist comes, I will be silent in the public square, but very loud with truth in love in my private community.
I am agreeing with you Geoffrey we are not to judge outsiders. As reborn new creations in Christ Jesus we are set apart from this world so we obviously don't enter into the same arena or mindsets of getting outraged as the world does, these things are so obvious that it surprises me how so many do not understand these things?? Let the Broadway of illusions have their bread and circuses we though stay separate from the way they respond and are reactive We do not!!
We don't engage in the same entertainments or their reactionary responses that the world does nor support such things. Our minds have been renewed and regenerated in Christ Jesus. The Romans were baffled as to why the early disciples Christians refused to attend their amphitheatres circuses etc because when we are led by God's Spirit and the all the truths of how to live out our lives in Christ Jesus we are set apart from the worlds ways, thinkings entertainments etc. Even what employment a Christian would take has to be considered and weighed according to living God's truths and not compromising them in any way. If our employment makes us live in ways contrary to our loving God and living our neighbours not ever extorting, stealing, lying defrauding, for self aggrandisement or for greed, harming another etc we do not run with the world in their ways of thinkings, or actions.
Take for instance a sincere indwelt Christ disciple believer wouldn't be a film star in Hellywood as they would have to compromise on God's truths or be self seeking in their vocation allowing themselves to be worshipped or elevated upon a pedestal as if an idol, or be selfishly ambitious in the things of this world, not have any idols in our hearts, lusts, anger not inflicting violence upon another nor themselves because it's seem as a sport.
These are all carnal soulish and not born of the Spirit.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-39
I get it and don’t disagree. I had some similar thoughts, especially after going through this week’s devotional series in YouVersion in which various Christian athletes spoke about being the light at the Olympics. Since then I’ve prayed that people attending the Olympic Games will see the light of Jesus shining through Christians and be drawn to Him. We do so often expect non-believers to act like believers. On the other hand, as even non-Christians have noted, this display was extremely (and I would guess intentionally) disrespectful to the beliefs of others. So from merely a humanitarian and Western standpoint this was over the top. But I think I could better use my energy in praying for these people than in indulging my outraged feelings. 😊
Thanks for the comments Wendy. As I pointed out in my post, Yahusha only showed outrage at religious hypocrisy. It was the religious hypocrites that had Him murdered. Would the result be different today?
That is a good verse, but it is not the only verse in the Bible.
Many religious people use this verse as an excuse to never stand against evil going on.
In the book of Luke 3:19 we read "John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee. for marrying his brother's wife Herodias, and for many other wrongs he had done."
Notice the Bible says this was done publicly.
Notice the Bible also says for many other wrongs he had done.
In Ecclesiastes 8:11 the Bible says, "When a crime is not punished, people feel it is safe to do wrong."
The brave Pastor Detrich Bonhoeffer who gave his life said:
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
"Christian outrage" can be hypocritical.
However, all Christian outrage is not hypocritical. In fact, there are times when Christian outrage is expected and commanded.
An atheist asked me "Why is the church not stepping up to the plate?"
This atheist was rightly observing that with the surgical sexual mutilation of children (and numerous other issues) the church is spineless.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/nearly-14000-minors-underwent-sex-change-procedures-in-recent-years-according-to-new-watchdog-database/
In Romans 2:24 Paul says to the church "no wonder the world blasphemes the name of God because of you." People look at the church in many cases as rightly don't want to be like them.
Jesus also said in Matthew 5:"YOU are the SALT of the earth. But what good is SALT if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."
Jesus is saying there are parts of the church (SALT) that has lost its flavour - that will be thrown out as worthless.
Much of current evangelicalism is not salt and light. They make pathetic excuses to ignore the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Bible tells us in Luke 10:29
"The religious leader wanted to justify his actions and so he said, "Who is my neighbor?"
Are not little girls having their breasts cut off our neighbor? Of course they are.
Silent Rapture
Thank you, Geoffrey, for this timely writing piece. From my point of view as a returned Prodigal, I think with humility of the sheer tenacity, relentlessness and mercy of God and His Son. They did not cease calling and calling and calling me back Home, for the whole 35 years I fled. I can never forget this fact that I was welcomed back, even covered in sin and grime. They began to help me clean up step by step and with such love, I could not flee ever again. Even if I get frustrated with others at times, I remember the mercy and also Romans 5:8: "But God commends his love toward us, in that, when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Wendy
I am late to this post, but glad you pointed out this wake-up call. I've wondered and asked: where are the calls to pray for the salvation of these folks, who are dead in trespass like we once were. Are we asking God to bring them to repentance, transfer them from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son, just as we have been? Are we praying for the Lord of the harvest to send harvesters where it is ripe?
May our outrage drive us to our knees in in thanksgiving for His mercy and anguish for their souls.
Seems weird to me that Christians are surprised that non-Christians don't do the things Jesus told them to do.
Well done... Let us focus in our own relationship with Christ rather than spend our days bemoaning the poor choices of others...
We are not to judge outsiders, as they are lost ignorant and know nothing of the ways of Christ Jesus or heavenly father, we do share the good news about Jesus Christ in grace & speak the sum of God's whole truths to them in love, especially when they ask questions, warning them to repent, believe the gospel, and be accounted worthy to escape all the things that will befall the unrepentant and to stand before the Son of Man!
We must personally be in right standing with our father in heaven by holy living and in expectation for the Lord's return, and how we honour living out our lives in Christ & to heavenly father through his indwelling Holy Spirit being led by it, this being reflected in every choice we make and how we live in this world, in it but not of it, and touching no unclean thing, not loving the things in this word, the desires of the eyes of the vain pride of life or the debased things it offers; 1 John2: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
Demonstrating to the outside world a distinction from their choices made out of merely their base carnal flesh of soulish desires feeding those licentious cravings because they are in ignorance.
1 Corinthians 5:11
but now I write you not to mingle with, if any that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with the such no, not to eat.
12 For what have I to do with judging those without? Do not YE judge those within,
13 and those without ·God judgeth? Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
Interestingly Did you know what the early Christians did when Rome had it's entertainment of Colosseums and amphitheatres and even the Olympics?
In the beginning, they were held at the great sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece, and they were part of pagan worship. They began with prayer and with sacrifices to the gods. So how do you think the early Christians viewed the Olympics? Well as you can probably guess, the early Christians refused to have anything to do with the Olympic Games. In fact if a Christian became an Olympic athlete you would be put out of the church. If you were one before you became a Christian, they would not allow you to be baptized until you had totally left that profession.
In contrast, today if an Olympic athlete is a professing Christian, he or she is viewed with great admiration by most “Bible-believing Christians.” I realize that probably the vast majority of people who call themselves “Bible-believing Christians, etc” deny Christ by the way they live.
How can we possibly imagine that we can glorify God by being involved with something Christians originally refused to have anything to do with? The Olympic Games originated as part of worship of Zeus.
There were four main types of entertainment that were popular throughout the Roman Empire. • Sports and athletic events. • Spectacles in the arena and amphitheater. • The theaters. • Banqueting.
So the New Testament Christians didn’t go to the same entertainment events that the world did, and so as a result the world hated them and spoke evil of them.
Tacitus was a Roman historian who lived in the first century. He referred to Christians as “enemies of the human race.” He noted how Nero blamed the burning of Rome on them, and sentenced them to cruel deaths as a result. Even though Tacitus deplored Nero, he had little sympathy for the Christians. To him they were “enemies of the human race,” and they got what they deserved.
The apologetic works of Tertullian entitled The Shows.He addressed this work to the pagans. He writes:
“We renounce all your spectacles…. Among us nothing is ever said, seen, or heard that has anything in common with the madness of the circus, the immodesty of the theater, the atrocities of the arena, or the useless exercise of the wrestling ground. Why do you take offense at us because we differ from you in regard to your pleasures?”
Tertullian (c. 197), 3.46.
Again he writes: We do not go to your spectacles. As for the merchandise that is sold there, if I need them, I will obtain them more readily at their proper places. Tertullian (c. 197), 3.49.
Lactantius, a Christian writer in the early fourth century, made this observation:Those who come for the sake of beholding the spectacle actually display more of a spectacle themselves. I am referring to when they begin to shout…. and to leap from their seats…. Lactantius (c. 304-313), 7.188. Now if somehow you imagine that these early Christians were fanatics or that the New Testament Christians were not like that, think about what Peter said in 1 Peter 4:4: In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
1 Peter 4:4
Would we be so quick with outrage if our lives were asked of us as a result? My audience is the lukewarm Christian, but when the Antichrist comes, I will be silent in the public square, but very loud with truth in love in my private community.
I am agreeing with you Geoffrey we are not to judge outsiders. As reborn new creations in Christ Jesus we are set apart from this world so we obviously don't enter into the same arena or mindsets of getting outraged as the world does, these things are so obvious that it surprises me how so many do not understand these things?? Let the Broadway of illusions have their bread and circuses we though stay separate from the way they respond and are reactive We do not!!
We don't engage in the same entertainments or their reactionary responses that the world does nor support such things. Our minds have been renewed and regenerated in Christ Jesus. The Romans were baffled as to why the early disciples Christians refused to attend their amphitheatres circuses etc because when we are led by God's Spirit and the all the truths of how to live out our lives in Christ Jesus we are set apart from the worlds ways, thinkings entertainments etc. Even what employment a Christian would take has to be considered and weighed according to living God's truths and not compromising them in any way. If our employment makes us live in ways contrary to our loving God and living our neighbours not ever extorting, stealing, lying defrauding, for self aggrandisement or for greed, harming another etc we do not run with the world in their ways of thinkings, or actions.
Take for instance a sincere indwelt Christ disciple believer wouldn't be a film star in Hellywood as they would have to compromise on God's truths or be self seeking in their vocation allowing themselves to be worshipped or elevated upon a pedestal as if an idol, or be selfishly ambitious in the things of this world, not have any idols in our hearts, lusts, anger not inflicting violence upon another nor themselves because it's seem as a sport.
These are all carnal soulish and not born of the Spirit.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18
Loving our neighbours not living sorry typo!
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-39
I get it and don’t disagree. I had some similar thoughts, especially after going through this week’s devotional series in YouVersion in which various Christian athletes spoke about being the light at the Olympics. Since then I’ve prayed that people attending the Olympic Games will see the light of Jesus shining through Christians and be drawn to Him. We do so often expect non-believers to act like believers. On the other hand, as even non-Christians have noted, this display was extremely (and I would guess intentionally) disrespectful to the beliefs of others. So from merely a humanitarian and Western standpoint this was over the top. But I think I could better use my energy in praying for these people than in indulging my outraged feelings. 😊
Great point and thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comments Wendy. As I pointed out in my post, Yahusha only showed outrage at religious hypocrisy. It was the religious hypocrites that had Him murdered. Would the result be different today?
"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:6
That is a good verse, but it is not the only verse in the Bible.
Many religious people use this verse as an excuse to never stand against evil going on.
In the book of Luke 3:19 we read "John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee. for marrying his brother's wife Herodias, and for many other wrongs he had done."
Notice the Bible says this was done publicly.
Notice the Bible also says for many other wrongs he had done.
In Ecclesiastes 8:11 the Bible says, "When a crime is not punished, people feel it is safe to do wrong."
The brave Pastor Detrich Bonhoeffer who gave his life said:
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”