God Blog

Approaching God One Thought At A Time

The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.
- Leonard Ravenhill

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Jesus Judges His Church

There are a myriad of reason we all desperately need revival. Given the earth's growing population, there's 7.5 billion souls at risk just for starters. And while 2.5 billion of these identify themselves as Christian on a census, according to Scripture the eternal security of perhaps half or more of this number is by no means certain.

The parting words of Jesus, as recorded in the Bible's final Book of Revelation offer amazing and troubling insight into how Christ views His church. As scripture warns, "
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." Many believe this passage to be describing the Bible, the written word of God. How much more so does such a description depict the ascended and glorified Christ, the Word of God incarnate!


It was Sunday and I was in the Spirit, praying. I heard a loud voice behind me, trumpet-clear and piercing: “Write what you see into a book. Send it to the seven churches.”


- Revelation 1:10-11 MSG


For two thousand years the Church has given birth to and nurtured the faith of billions coming to know and trust Christ as their Lord, and thus Savior. Like a long awaited sunrise, a myriad of cultures once gripped by eternal night, first glimpsed the dawn of God’s
mercy and love as the Church spread the light of Christ across a darkened world.

Filled with compassion for the lost and needy, Christians braved seas and seasons of hardship to share and strengthen the message of the gospel. Facing peril and cost, faithful men and women laid down their time and treasure, if not their freedom and lives, that the
Kingdom of God might flourish throughout the Earth:

  • “Then he said, “How can I picture God’s kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use? It’s like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard. It grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it.” Luke 13:18-19 The Message
Born of the seeds of suffering and sacrifice, believers beyond number have and continue to find forgiveness and friendship, support and meaning through church and fellowship meetings. By design, such gatherings develop personal relationships while deepening individual and shared experiences of God.

Time would fail to tell of the changed lives and families, cities and nations benefiting from the
gospel lift. When weightier forms of sin and oppression lesson, sanctification and love find opportunity to flourish.

Unfortunately, God is not the only one at work among men. Scripture reveals a cunning and malevolent
Adversary sowing seeds of his own:

  • He told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too. “The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’ “He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’ “The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’ “He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’” Matthew 13:24-30 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
While Christ’s story of the thistles is a parable with many applications, it’s primary purpose is to serve notice against the influence of sin and Satan. As does His warning against yeast:

  • Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They thought he was saying this because they had forgotten to bring bread… “How could you even think I was talking about food? But again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that by yeast he meant the wrong teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6-7,12 Living Bible
As with all Christ’s harsher sayings, such passages do not deny the untold acts of individual and corporate good accomplished through the auspices of local fellowships and denominations. They do, however, stress the critical need for discernment in regards to both Christian doctrine and lifestyle.

They also reiterate the deceptability of
dualism, a particularly pernicious problem. Both inside and outside the church. Divided motivations and lifestyles are as common as they are disconcerting. Even so, willingness and skill is necessary to rightly recognize and respond to spiritual double-mindedness. A state often entrenched in a wisdom of its own. A quantum challenge, not to be confused with open mindedness. Itself an admirable trait, as noted by the famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

Today’s social and spiritual thistles and yeast, come in a variety of forms.
Modern Christianity favors the watering down and/or misapplication of Scripture. The all too common tendency of embracing a partial gospel neglects Christ’s harsher sayings and command by overemphasizing a kinder and gentler Jesus. Nicely playing off the old adage “Jesus meek and mild” such misplaced sentiment is exposed by the title of Mark Galli’s book “Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God.”

It’s popular to imagine Jesus as meek and mild for a variety of reasons. The gentle words of Christ as the suffering Servant are far more pleasurable and congruent with modern Christianity’s expectations, permissive doctrines and lifestyle, than are the excessive demands of the Messiah. Much less the twin specters of Jesus judging His church and His coming conquest as the Conquering King:

  • “Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:11-16 The Message
Notice that next to “King of kings, Lord of lords” Churchianity’s favored phrase, Personal Savior, is conspicuously absent.

As in so many aspects of life, when it comes to God we all hope for the best. Little wonder that when interpreting Scripture we gravitate towards the Bible’s promises over their
conditions. Encouragements over warnings. Good news over bad.

This posses a great dilemma. Given the Earth's growing population there are well over 7 billion souls at risk.
While 2.5 billion identify themselves as Christian on a census, according to Scripture the eternal security of perhaps half or more of this number is by no means certain. Additionally, the parting words of Jesus, as recorded in the Bible's final Book of Revelation, offer amazing and troubling insight into how Christ views His Church.

Again Scripture warns,
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." This passage references the Bible as the written Word of God. How much more does such a description depict the ascended and glorified Christ, the Word of God incarnate!

Christians share a historical heritage and hold many beliefs in common. Nevertheless, with hundreds of denominations, we clearly don't always see eye to eye. When comparing the two major divisions, Catholic and Protestant, there are as many areas of agreement as disagreement. While both sides embrace certain essentials of the faith, each contends the other has stumbled over crucial points of doctrine and practice.

Within the membership of each are those who long for unification of the body of Christ. Not only with one another, but God Himself. These recognize that Scripture's record of Christ's final words to believers, His complements and complaints to the seven churches of Revelation, ring truer today than ever. Entrusted to John the Beloved, Jesus delivers His message with such force that even the disciple whom once rested his head on the Lord's shoulder and to whom Christ on the cross entrusted the care of Mary His mother,
fainted dead upon seeing the visage of the now ascended and glorified Christ:

  • "I saw a gold menorah with seven branches, And in the center, the Son of Man, in a robe and gold breastplate, hair a blizzard of white, Eyes pouring fire-blaze, both feet furnace-fired bronze, His voice a cataract, right hand holding the Seven Stars, His mouth a sharp-biting sword, his face a perigee sun. I saw this and fainted dead at his feet. His right hand pulled me upright, his voice reassured me: 'Don't fear: I am First, I am Last, I'm Alive. I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever. See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death's doors, they open and lock Hell's gates. Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be." Revelation 1:13-19 The Message
Clearly this message is intended to reverberate down through the millennia as both a warning and encouragement to every believer and congregation throughout the church age. It's content and tenor should be of the greatest concern to Prophetic Christians, genuinely interested in seeking and serving God acceptably. To such, Jesus has much to say:

Church of Ephesus: “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:2-7 New Living Translation - Emphasis QC’s

Church of Smyrna:  “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. Revelation 2:9-11 New Living Translation
- Emphasis QC’s

Church of Pergamum: “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city. “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:13-17 New Living Translation - Emphasis QC’s

Church of Thyatira: “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve. “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 2:19-29 New Living Translation - Emphasis QC’s

Church of Sardis: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:1b-6 New Living Translation - Emphasis QC’s

Church of Philadelphia: "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:8-13 New Living Translation - Emphasis QC’s

Church of Laodicea: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:15-22 New Living Translation - Emphasis QC’s

It's a
quantum truth that Scripture can be as troubling as it is comforting. Sometimes simultaneously. This can be confusing, and is one of many reasons so few today invest serious time and effort in Bible study. Yet, while it’s far easier and pleasant to find a few passages or concepts we like, doing so to the point of ignoring the rest of Scripture is perilous. Discarding the data is foolish in any endeavor. A casual, if not blatant, disregard for the integrity of God’s word must eventually prove a costly, if not eternal, mistake.

Take the popular notion that when God looks at believers He can only see Christ. While all that being
in Christ means is somewhat of mystery, and certainly changes our status before God, does the Bible really teach it blinds Omnity to our sin? As noted, hundreds of both Old and New Testament verses strongly suggest otherwise. Including the words of Jesus, who as noted warns we shall give account of not only our actions but “every idle word” and perhaps even our thought life.

Most of
Churchianity avoids such passages. Yet, as can be seen in Christ's assessment of His seven churches of Revelation, God is neither blind to or pleased with shortcomings or sin. Such passages oppose today's pop theology that God's love and mercy supersedes His holiness and judgment. This being the case, those embracing easy believism would do well to reconsider Christ's teaching on fearing God, as well as that of His apostles.

From the vantage point of Heaven, the resurrected Christ sees and knows all. As clearly evidenced in
"I know your deeds..." Notice carefully the emphasis. Surely God knows everything. Including our beliefs and attitudes, our desires and aspirations. Yet inappropriately intimate worship lyrics aside, it isn't our feelings or doctrine, praise or prayers that most concern the ascended Christ. As during His earthly ministry, even in glory Jesus if far more interested in what we do. The reason for this is clear. In the end, the true state of our faith is revealed by our actions, which encompass our beliefs and feeling. The real question is, even after having been given two millennia to contemplate the meaning and impact of Christ's parting words, do we yet have, ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church? Here are just a few of the highlights:


Complaints:

1. Ephesus: Lost your first love. See how far you've fallen.
2. Smyrna: None!
3. Pergamum: Tolerate false teachings, including those permitting idolatry and immorality.
4. Thyatira: Lack of judgment. Allowing false leadership promoting gross sins such as idolatry and immortally to mislead God's servants.
5. Sardis: False reputation with dead faith. Asleep. Actions fail to meet God's requirements.
6. Philadelphia: None!
7. Laodicea: Lukewarm. Spit out of Christ's mouth. Self deceived. Poor and wretched, miserable, blind and naked.


Warnings:

1. Ephesus: Repent and do the first works or have your lampstand removed from among the churches.
2. Smyrna: None!
3. Pergamum: Repent or suddenly be slain.
4. Thyatira: Christ will cause all who join in adultery to suffer greatly, striking dead those refusing to repent.
5. Sardis: Wake up! Strengthen what little remains. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and return to Christ before He comes suddenly like a thief.
6. Philadelphia: None!
7. Laodicea: Buy gold purified by fire. Buy white garments and ointment for your eyes. Receive correction and be diligent in turning from indifference.


Compliments:

1. Ephesus: Hard working with patient endurance. Don’t tolerate evil people. Discerning. Patient and faithful in suffering
2. Smyrna: Poor but spiritually rich. Faithful in the face of opposition by false believers.
3. Pergamum: Loyal and courageous.
4. Thyatira: Loving and faithful with a patient servants heart. Constantly improving.
5. Sardis: Some have not soiled their clothes with evil and are worthy.
6. Philadelphia: Opened a door because of have little strength, obedience and faithfulness. Current perseverance grants protection from future worldwide tribulation.
7. Laodicea: None...


Rewards:

1. Ephesus: Overcome and be given the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
2. Smyrna: Be faithful in persecution and receive the crown of life. Overcome and be unharmed by the second death.
3. Pergamum: Overcomes and be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
4. Thyatira: Overcomes and endure are receive authority over the nations to rule them with an iron scepter. Receive the morning star.
5. Sardis: Overcomes and be dressed in white, never have your name removed from the book of life and be acknowledged by Christ before all of heaven.
6. Philadelphia: Hold fast and be crowned. False believers will bow in recognition of God's love for those who overcome. Become a pillar and permanent resident in the temple of God. Names of God, new Jerusalem and Christ inscribed upon them.
7. Laodicea: Respond and enjoy friendship with God. Overcome and receive the right to sit on Christ's throne.

Sadly, modern Christianity seems to have more in common with the description of Revelation's church of Sardis and/or Laodicea than Smyrna and/or
Philadelphia.

For modern Christendom, one the most relevant verses in all of Scripture is Christ's warning, “
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." In keeping with the premise, Jesus warns against hypocrisy and blaspheme, the deceptiveness of wealth and being unprepared for His return. He then issues the following ultimatum:

  • “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:42-48 New International Version - Emphasis QC’s
The previous passage represents some of Jesus’s harshest words of which, contrary to popular belief, there are many. While contextually a warning for those in authority, particularly church leadership, the principle applies to everyone. How then shall we fare who've been given more than than all previous generations combined?

Having been served notice, Christ’s explicit warnings will invariably illicit one of the following three personal and corporate responses.

  1. Ignore and/or marginalize: The most common response is none at all. Simply enjoy current lifestyles while fellowshipping as usual.
  1. Wait and see: Proceed unchanged but keep an eye out. Let life run its course and should things take a bad turn, hope to get holy in a hurry. In the mean time, walk the fence and enjoy the best of both secular and sacred worlds.
  1. Research and repent: Ponder and personalize the lists of Christ’s compliments and complaints. Begin the event and process of heartfelt brokenness. Recognize that an ounce of prevention’s worth a pound of cure. In time and eternity. As is practicing genuine and ongoing repentance before judgment falls.
It can be difficult to nearly impossible to image ourselves on the receiving end of judgment. Depending on our degree of commitment, such disapproval may seem to fly in the face of years, and even decades, of service and devotion. Yet might the same not be said for many within Revelation’s seven churches? And they without two millennia of history and the vast resources at our disposal. Scripture cannot be broken. We must deal with Bible on its terms, or run the risk of at best well intentioned heresy.

More like the Jews in Jesus’ day than we care to admit, modern Christianity is want to push back against criticism. And along similar lines. Citing lineage as example:

  • “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:7-9 New International Version - Emphasis QC’s
As the Jews did elsewhere, Churchianity goes so far as to claim God as our Father. An assertion that serves as a perfect example of the importance of marrying Scripture’s quantum love and truth. As the Psalmist declares, “Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.” It is true that, in a certain sense, the Bible declares God as the Father of believers. And even unbelievers. As evidenced in Paul’s famous Areopagus sermon to the Athenians. In a show of sensitivity, Paul breaks the ice by acknowledging their zeal for religion. He then segues from their altar to an Unknown God into sharing the gospel. He even references their own poets to both soften and underscore his point:

  • “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.”’ Acts 17:24-28 New International Version - Emphasis QC’s
Paul continues his message by reinforcing the Fatherhood of God. Not as grounds for continued apathy and ignorance, but as rationale and incentive for change:

  • Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:29-31 New International Version - Emphasis QC’s
Modern Christianity objects to comparing their relationship with God to that of 1st century pagans in Athens. While a somewhat valid point, it hardly invalidates the principle. Consider the following progressive indictment of Jesus against the Jews that believed Him:

  • Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:37-47 New King James Version - Emphasis QC’s
The dialogue of both Paul and Jesus reflect the quantum nature of God’s love and truth. Scripture attests to the Fatherhood of God as a manifestation of Divine love. Yet not to the point of overriding Biblical truth. Both the unbelieving Athenians and believing Jews were subject to another father. One who’s influence was culturally entrenched and thus difficult to discern.

Today, the challenge to Churchianity is less a matter of acknowledgement than that of obedience. Hundreds of millions gladly confess Christ as
Savior, while simultaneously distancing themselves from His example and directives as Lord. Many are taught simple belief, translating to superficial mental assent, is all God requires. Yet, as has been repeatedly demonstrated thus far, both Christ and Scripture have quite a bit more in mind. As the Old Testament prophet Malachi put it, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts…”

Genuine and honest Biblical study and application requires spiritually quantum balance and equilibrium. For example, as a decades old prayer partner once noted in regards to resolving the tension between accurately discerning Scripture and the centrality of the Holy Spirit, “Evangelism without prayer is Fruitless, Prayer without Evangelism is Faithless. Scripture without the Spirit is Lifeless, the Spirit without Scripture is Baseless.” With this mind, let us more prayerfully study the Bible, recognizing Scripture itself must be "spiritually discerned."

One final bit of unpleasantness. With the exception of Omnity,
all things change. For better and worse. On the bright side, consider Scripture’s fantastic promise of mortality becoming immortality:

  • “Some skeptic is sure to ask, “Show me how resurrection works. Give me a diagram; draw me a picture. What does this ‘resurrection body’ look like?” If you look at this question closely, you realize how absurd it is. There are no diagrams for this kind of thing. We do have a parallel experience in gardening. You plant a “dead” seed; soon there is a flourishing plant. There is no visual likeness between seed and plant. You could never guess what a tomato would look like by looking at a tomato seed. What we plant in the soil and what grows out of it don’t look anything alike. The dead body that we bury in the ground and the resurrection body that comes from it will be dramatically different.” 1 Corinthians 15:35-38 The Message
Great news! Unfortunately quantum transformation is a two way street. As noted by C.S. Lewis’ quote regarding our future appearances as gods and goddesses, horrors and corruptions. In the same way, once a sin is introduced, there are only three possible outcomes:

  1. Complete Repentance: The offense against God and man must be recognized and fully repented of, uprooting plant, root and all. While this option remains available, it has never happened in all of human history. Not even in regards to the least of sins.
  1. Commensurate Judgment: Failing to respond in time to Divine waring, punishment befitting the sin is dispensed.
  1. Growth and Mutation: Should sin fail to be fully repented of or summarily judged, it will certainly expand in both quantity and quality. The afore referenced ripe tomatoes, not to mention immense and towering redwoods, grow from tiny seemingly insignificant seeds. So too temptation and deception, entitlement and sin, can and will mutate exponentially.
Prophetic Christians appreciate distress tends to awaken God’s people to the perils about them. While true, so is the fact that extreme pain and suffering clouds and hardens angry hearts and minds in far greater numbers. Tellingly, the Bible never directs believers to pray for judgment or persecution. An unprecedented global revival, if not reformation, would be far more preferable.

With so much at stake, it's high time we believers recognize our massive physical and spiritual blessings and begin
seeking God as seriously as we do wealth and pleasure. Let's strive to be thankful and stop taking God and His gifts for granted. Let’s renew our efforts to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Before trials force the issue, let’s redouble our attempts to approach God acceptably, loving Him as He deserves and our neighbors as they so desperately need.



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For a hyperlink footnoted version of this article see eBook Quantum Christianity Introduction Volume 1



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