Doing Gods Work

Doing Gods Work.
Every now and then I like to poke Christians with a pointy stick. This I believe may be one of those times.
The book of acts records,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.   But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:28-39.
Over the years I’ve seen this quote used by Christians to justify them protesting against gay rights, abortion and other things they disagree with. They used it wrongly.
True we as Christians must obey God rather than man. We must stand up for our rights to worship and evangelise as we wish. That however does not justify us protesting against those we disagree with.
The Apostle Paul tells us,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
According to Paul we are not to judge those outside the church. That is God’s job. In the quote from acts the Peter a Jew (this was before the church split from Judaism) was brought before a Jewish religious court and told not to preach in the name of Jesus. Thus he a Jew  had the right to tell those Jewish leaders he was to obey God not men.
Jesus in the past had, had conflict with the religious leaders and spoke against them but that was his right as a member of the Jewish faith.
Jesus and His apostles never once spoke against, protested against or raised a sword in anger against the secular Roman government.
The apostle Paul under the emperor Nero who would eventually execute him said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
The apostle Paul, Jesus and the other apostles lived in a world in which there were many laws and practices that they would have disagreed with. Yet they never spoke against them.
They did as Jesus told them they presented the Gospel of Christ to all who would listen to them.
Billy Graham said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
They didn’t spend time and money on protesting or lobbying their government official about things they thought were wrong or needed changing. They couldn’t, the Romans wouldn’t have listened anyway.
The men that followed Christ spoke with everyone mixed socially with everyone and presented the gospel in word and in deed to everyone. In doing so by the end of the first century the Gospel message had been taken throughout the Roman Empire.
Those early disciples of Christ took seriously the words of Jesus who said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
My question to the Christians reading this are you truly doing what God wants you to do? Are you presenting the gospel to all people no matter who they are?
Please think about it.

Of "some Christians" and Storm troopers

Of “Some Christians” and Storm Troopers
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                      Matthew 28:18-20.
Note in the above quote from Jesus never said go and protest against the government of Rome or overthrow the religious leaders of the day. He said,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Jesus in a nutshell taught his disciples to Love God, their neighbour and even their enemy. He made it clear that He was the way to heaven.
Over and over again in the teachings of Jesus and the apostle we read,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  
                                                                                                      Romans 12:18
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” 
                         Titus 3:1,2
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  
                                                                                  Galatians 5:22,23.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 
                                                                                           1 Peter 2:12.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
                                                                                                    Matthew 5:9.
Sadly I have heard those calling themselves Christians who were protesting outside of an abortion clinic and protesting against same sex marriage, storm troopers.
These people have not learned from history. Hitler tried to change the world by force. To impose his view on people. To no avail. Sadly however to stop his madness cost in excess of fifty-six million lives.
In the 1920's in the United States, “holier than thou” people passed the prohibition laws yet if some reports are to be believed more alcohol was consumed during prohibition than before it and not only that the money went into the hands of criminals.
Prior to legalizing of abortions, abortions were carried out sometimes with tragic consequences not only to the child but to the mother.
When it comes to same sex marriages it’s a moot point whether to call them marriages or civil unions it’s the same thing. Christians don’t own the word marriage.
Not only that those who oppose same sex marriage and abortion are not considering God in all of this. God knows what is right and wrong. It is God and God alone that must judge every individual and that includes those protesting.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist got it right when he said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
                               Tony Campolo.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                             1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Sadly those calling themselves Christians and wishing to impose Christian values on people are committing a sin. They are judging others when they themselves certainly have sin in their lives.
You cannot legislate morality it must come from within the person. You cannot impose by force your values on anyone. They will not listen. That’s why the Apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?”
We can however judge those inside the church the apostle Paul saying,
“Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
In demonstrating against anyone or protesting to restrict the rights of those who are not hurting anyone is simply wrong.
The time, money and effort used to protest could be better spent on evangelism. On providing well publicized alternatives positive alternatives to abortion.
On reaching out and building bridges to the LGBT community.
Christianity is first and foremost a faith of Love. Love for God, one’s neighbour and even one’s enemy. We should be living our lives in such a way that non-Christians want to at the very least emulate us.
The Writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
          Hebrews 12:14
Unfortunately many calling themselves Christians fail to read and understand Hebrews 12:14.
If they don’t change I believe many of those who are protesting will be judged by God and hear the words Jesus who said,
“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                           Matthew 7:22,23.
Please think about it.