We are a peculiar people, the people of earth.
We strive for everything from power to wealth. Sometimes we see ourselves as super human, with the ability to leap tall buildings with a single bound, but some times we can't even open a jar without help.
Many people, even Christians, don't realize that, there will be others that will judge, and others, that will offend.
Offenses come in many different varieties and forms.
Some times they are subtitle, and sometimes, they are direct, and hurtful. Many times Christians will become offended, by the world, which according to Scripture, bring about drastic measures to come down upon them by God, as punishment for hurting one of His Children, but also offences will come from the word of God.
Many Christians are still carnal minded, not truly understanding what the word actually is stating.
Here is an example.
I wrote an article on the Biblical teachings of the Curse of Israel. Some were offended and desired me to retract what I had written.
I refused, and they became offended even further. I cannot change what the Bible states as fact.
Jesus was sent to the House of Israel first. They rejected Him and the gentiles accepted Him. This is Bible. I cannot change that.
Here is part of the message I have written called The Curse of Israel pt.1.;
Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Pro 1:23-31; Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity( destruction the King James Version); (5) the devastation of war (Jer.46:21 (6) adversities of any kind (Pro.27:10).); I will mock when your fear cometh;.
As you can see, God had established many curses upon His own people for their rejection of His Laws. But this curse shall be lifted from them at the end of days, when they accept Jesus as Christ.
The world(Carnal man, 1st Adam.)
Matthew 18:6-7;
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
For an unbeliever to offend one of the Lords Children is common today. Christians, all around the world are persecuted, hated, offended, and murdered, for no other reason than that they believe in Jesus Christ, as the Son of God.
Many people offend a Christian, because of the way we think, act, and testify of the Lord Christ.
Our actions are different than the world. We do not do what they desire us to do. We do not commit adultery, run around the streets, drunk, on drugs, committing riotous acts, as they do.
1st Peter 4:3-5; For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
This is the way the world desires us to act. We cannot commit willful sin, we cannot accept any sin, no matter who they are, being, children, friend, family nor fine neighbor. Life is precious, but it is not the end.
We are commanded by Christ, who is the head of all things concerning the church, to be separate from the acts of the world.
Romans 13:12-14; The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering(Wanton, lewd, immodest behavior.) and wantonness, (lasciviousness.)(The softness, delicacy and weakness in men, which are characteristic of the female sex, but which in males are deemed a reproach; unmanly delicacy; womanish softness or weakness. Voluptuousness; indulgence in unmanly pleasures; not in strife and envying.) (Webster.)
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We are hated because we stand up for the commandments of God. We cannot be partaker of homosexuality, drunkenness, adultery, riotous living, we cannot accept this madness, that the world says, is freedom of sin to all. But we must warn them of their sin, and the consequences of they sin they commit.
We are judged by the world as, trouble makers, and lyres.
We are judged by the world as, dangerous people supporting Israel, and righteousness. We are called names, persecuted, and hounded, because we will not accept, the new world order, a one world religion, and the rejection of any man calling himself Father. We are hated, and judged, by the world because we will not be partaker of joint worship with the religions, that reject Christ as Lord and Savior. We cannot be married to God, and sleep with the Devil.
The Christian(Carnal Minded.)(Christians are in Last Adam.)
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
This is speaking of the unruly among some Christians. Those that are trying to teach things that are contrary to sound judgment.
We are commanded to avoid and mark them, and their teachings, as not Biblical.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
This happens very little in todays world because of apostasy in the mainstream church world, as per Biblical prophecy.
Many churches today and, yes, many pastors, are not use to being strong within the bounds of the church body. We as ministers must control those that teach within the church, and be sure of the doctrine that they teach.
We must not forget the Commandment of Christ;
1Titus 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
We also see the power given to ministers, from God, in Romans;
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Is one church better than another? No. They all have their faults, but we remove ourselves from any Church that does not teach the sound doctrine, that was delivered to us, from the Holy Spirit. We must remember that there is only, One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism. This is stated in Old Testament writings and also in the New Testament Book of Revelations.
There can no longer be ministers, nor Churches, that speak evil of one another, for we are the light of the world. If we are fighting among ourself, saying that this Church is bad, or that Church is bad, then how can we all come together as Christ commanded? How can we prove to the world that, Christianity is the only way of living, that God will accept? How can we prove to the world that, Christianity is the only way of salvation and that Jesus is Lord?
Mat 7:21-23; Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
None of us are immune to making mistakes.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. The key here is to learn from them and ask forgiveness.
Is there hope for these hypocritical Christians? Yes.
Lets read; Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Think about it. Ars.
Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/
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