*** WARNING: This is not a message that will be encouraging, or fun to read. The purpose of this message is open our eyes to the current state of Christianity and push/motivate us (believers) to change our way of thinking and do better. I am not putting down anyone, or any denomination, I just want us to come to a realization. If you're ready, then proceed with an open mind.
Let me say this to start things off, we (Christians) have had, and still have, a part in making our world the way that it currently is. I know that some of you might disagree, thinking how can you be even remotely responsible for making the world such an ugly place. Well, lets dive into that because honestly, it's not what we did, but it's what we DON'T do.
Sinner's Perspective
Sinners are not the ones who should take full credit for the state of our dying world. I hate to say it, but unfortunately, Christians today should take some of the credit. Sure, sometimes sinners make choices or take actions that have a long lasting, negative effect on this Earth. In the end, a sinner still can't receive all the blame because they no realization of their wrong doing. Follow me on this one, don't get lost. For the most part, sinners know what they do is wrong; they have the basic or common knowledge that their actions or lifestyle is wrong. What they lack, however, is a real understanding. Why do you think sinners are often referred to as the lost and/or the blind? It's because they don't grasp the fact that they are in need of a Savior. Ephesians 5:18 says, "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts".
This scripture by itself defines the mindset of a sinner. "Darkened in their understanding"; sinners don't have a full, clear understanding of their backward lifestyle. They can't see the full picture of redemption and the sacrifice that was paid for them. The definition of ignorance is to be unaware because of a lack of relevant information or knowledge. Simply put, it means lack of knowledge of the facts. In other words, a sinner simply doesn't know the meaning or consequences of his/her actions or lifestyle. You might disagree, but think about the people that you know who were raised in a family where sin was dominating. Think about the man or woman who grew up in a neighborhood where hope was found in turning tricks, selling herb or dirty business deals. They are ignorant to the escape door that lies in Jesus Christ. All they see is what's in front of them and they react to those things in front of their eyes because they have no faith to deal with them otherwise.
Christian's Perspective
This is where we come in. We have been redeemed, changed, switched over from death to life. Yet some of our actions make me question or ponder the authenticity of our proclaimed salvation. The Bible calls us the salt and light of the Earth. The light shines into darkness to uncover the truth about sin and draw the helpless to the rock that shines that light. The salt preserves; in this case, it doesn't preserve the sinful habits and policies of this Earth, but this salt that we have preserves the truth that the light has uncovered. So why do we have a lot of dead flashlights? There are a lot of vessels claiming to be redeemed and born again, but why is there no light shining?
Before you think to exit my webpage, let's think about this for a minute. You can travel to any city in the U.S. and see many churches. You will even see many churches on the same block. Some of you are thinking there's nothing wrong with that. Well, there isn't anything wrong with it, if that block or city is lit up by the light that was given to us to shine on darkness. Look, what I'm saying is this; we have so many churches on one block or in the same city, but there is no change taking place. Some churches have been in business for more than ten years, and that neighborhood or city is still in the same condition. Change doesn't happen overnight, but if there is no sign of progress, then something is wrong. From what I've seen on TV and in person, we need to take responsibility.
Give'em the Gospel
We as Christians must give people the full gospel, not one side of it. Remember that the sinner is the ignorant. How can they be given the option to accept Christ if we don't give them Christ? I've seen too many times where Christians give a sinner a one-sided story of Christ, when they need both sides. How can you give someone the good, but not the bad? How can you give someone the bad, but not the good? When you tell someone they're a sinner and the consequences they will face, you have to give them the good side too. Otherwise, they won't have any hope for change and won't try to find a reason to change. FLIP THE SCRIPT; if you give a sinner the good, but not the bad, they will ultimately have a FALSE SENSE of safety. The Bible says come as you are, but that scripture didn't mean for the church to accept people as they are and keep them the same. No, that scripture meant for the sinner to come as they are, with their sin, so they can receive the knowledge needed to transform and pull them from the grip of sin. That can only come by the acceptance of Christ. This is where we take credit for the world being the way that it is. We have to give them the full gospel, not bits and pieces.
The Beauty of Redemption
If you've made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS. This is the last thing I will say, I promise. We are ultimately responsible for the Word of God getting to the ears and the hands of the people. A lot of times, I hear people say they can't witness to someone else until they get themselves right. That way of thinking is wrong and dangerous. I'll explain. That way of thinking is wrong because you can't fix yourself, you don't have that power. If you had that power to fix yourself, then God would have never sent Jesus to be the atonement for our behalf. That statement also symbolizes that once you're saved, you don't need God to do maintenance on you, which is very dangerous. The Bible says that a righteous man will fall seven times. That means that you're going to fall, and sin. So, using that statement is a LAME excuse. If I offended anyone who uses that statement, I'm sorry, but I had to let you know because I love you and I want us to do better. Just because you have sin on you, doesn't mean that you have to hide yourself until you rid yourself of that sin. In fact, that's what makes redemption so beautiful.
God uses people who were encased in sin to spread His teachings. Look at David, he was a man after God's own heart. Yet he committed adultery with Bathsheeba and had her husband killed. That makes David an adulterer and a murderer. Yet God still used him after David repented. This is the real beauty of redemption; God taking a person with an extensive rap sheet and once converted, using them to disciple the world. If you sin, repent, dust yourself off and get back on the grind. No matter what you are, sinner or saint, you need God. We are all in the same boat, the only difference is we have been redeemed and received the grace of God. It's up to us to carry on the legacy of Christ with the full, unedited Word of God.....real talk.
27 March 2008
02 March 2008
Christ and Sin Synergy
Greetings!!!
It's been a minute, but I've been on the grind in other areas. Now that I'm back, I want to address an issue that is prevalent in our nation and culture. There's a certain theology that's the underlying reason for us to operate in sin while claiming or trying to have a form of holiness. That theology doesn't really have a name, but I will call it the theology of Christ and sin synergy. This theology has been perpetuated since the Bible days and is, unfortunately, still in effect today.
First, lets look at the word synergy. Synergy is defined as "the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." Just by reading the definition alone, you should already realize something. You should realize that Christ, which represents absolute holiness, can't interact with sin to produce a greater effect than if they each acted alone. This synergism of holiness and sin takes place often, but it shouldn't be that way.
The Message
The Bible says that no man can serve two masters; he will either hate one and love the other. That means that you can't operate in both sin and holiness. That, however, is what the world will tell you. Thus, that is the overall thesis behind the theology of Christ and sin synergy. The theology's message is that you can take two components that are completely opposite of each other, fuse them together into one unit to make it seem as though they can function perfectly together. That's why some people think it's ok to be saved and still hit the club, lie, commit adultery, fornicate, etc. They're living the Christ and sin synergy theology. They're trying to have the best of both worlds. This is how the world operates. They have, sadly, popularized Christianity in an attempt to blend sin in with holiness so the accurate and powerful Word of God wouldn't throw a monkey wrench in their sinful lifestyle and seem so offensive to the lost. Check this, that very same message of this theology is its biggest loophole.
The Loophole
Sin and holiness can't be fused together. Why? Simple. They can't function properly when the other component is in the mix. Holiness can't operate at maximum efficiency with sin mixed in because the pure, cleansing power of God will be tainted. Likewise, sin can't operate when holiness is mixed in because sin can't do anything, but die when real, authentic holiness reveals itself. Therefore, this theology that has made a psychological attachment to the minds of mankind , who have transformed it into a lifestyle is absolutely FALSE. It's complete GARBAGE. There has to be a difference; when a person gets redeemed, there has to be a separation from the world. God bless.
It's been a minute, but I've been on the grind in other areas. Now that I'm back, I want to address an issue that is prevalent in our nation and culture. There's a certain theology that's the underlying reason for us to operate in sin while claiming or trying to have a form of holiness. That theology doesn't really have a name, but I will call it the theology of Christ and sin synergy. This theology has been perpetuated since the Bible days and is, unfortunately, still in effect today.
First, lets look at the word synergy. Synergy is defined as "the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." Just by reading the definition alone, you should already realize something. You should realize that Christ, which represents absolute holiness, can't interact with sin to produce a greater effect than if they each acted alone. This synergism of holiness and sin takes place often, but it shouldn't be that way.
The Message
The Bible says that no man can serve two masters; he will either hate one and love the other. That means that you can't operate in both sin and holiness. That, however, is what the world will tell you. Thus, that is the overall thesis behind the theology of Christ and sin synergy. The theology's message is that you can take two components that are completely opposite of each other, fuse them together into one unit to make it seem as though they can function perfectly together. That's why some people think it's ok to be saved and still hit the club, lie, commit adultery, fornicate, etc. They're living the Christ and sin synergy theology. They're trying to have the best of both worlds. This is how the world operates. They have, sadly, popularized Christianity in an attempt to blend sin in with holiness so the accurate and powerful Word of God wouldn't throw a monkey wrench in their sinful lifestyle and seem so offensive to the lost. Check this, that very same message of this theology is its biggest loophole.
The Loophole
Sin and holiness can't be fused together. Why? Simple. They can't function properly when the other component is in the mix. Holiness can't operate at maximum efficiency with sin mixed in because the pure, cleansing power of God will be tainted. Likewise, sin can't operate when holiness is mixed in because sin can't do anything, but die when real, authentic holiness reveals itself. Therefore, this theology that has made a psychological attachment to the minds of mankind , who have transformed it into a lifestyle is absolutely FALSE. It's complete GARBAGE. There has to be a difference; when a person gets redeemed, there has to be a separation from the world. God bless.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
