My Children and Grandchildren

" The Lord is compassionate and gracious..."

Psalms 103:8

"...He does not treat us as our sin deserves or repay us according to
our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great
is his love for those who fear Him; as far as the East is from the West,
so far as He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has
compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who
fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we
are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower
of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and it's place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's
love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their
children's children ..."

Psalms 103:10-17

Forbid Them Not

Jesus had a very special place in his heart for

children. He said little children were of the

kingdom of God. He forbid anyone causing

one of them to stumble. Indeed our children

are gifts from God. For a grandfather to have

his picture made with these special ones in

God's eyes is a grand privilege. In this picture

with me are six (6) of my nine (9) grandchildren.

I have this picture now in an album and will

always cherish them.

LO, CHILDREN ARE AN HERITAGE

OF THE LORD.

PSALMS 127:3

FISHBONES FOR THE TEACHER

On our recent trip to Israel our group stopped by a restaurant on the Sea of Galilee. The fish we were served at this restaurant surprised all of us. They were the Talapia from the waters of the sea. When we were served about 50 of these fish what a sight it was. They were whole fish, eyeballs and all. As we ate them it was obvious that they were quite bony so we had to eat them carefully.
When I was in college in the early 60's I had a Bible teacher who taught us a course in First and Second Corinthians. One of his favorite statements was "I don't need any fishbones for the teacher." What he meant by that was he didn't want any questions that would cause deviations from the course outline and he wanted to finish the study before the semester ended.
We were all young students and at that point we probably could not have come up with too many serious "fishbones" that he could not have handled speedily and thoroughly. However, it has been over 40 years since I was in that class and I have had many hours to study and to contemplate various topics and life experiences. I think I have entertained a few questions during this time that transcend some sort of pat answer that could be given in the name of religion that does not satisfy the needs of modern day man. The pat answers are not sufficient in my mind because they do indicate a serious lack of addressing the needs of men's souls.
So let's look at some of the questions. Some of them are questions that young people have asked over and over while being taught through the years. Did I give pat answers that did not address specific needs? Probably so. For that I ask forgiveness and I apologize when I did not introduce a loving Saviour to them but a church doctrine.
So here are the fishbones.....

1. Is drinking beer a sin?
2. Is dancing a sin?
3. Does a Christian have to attend every church service to remain a Christian?
4. What is the age of accountability?
5. Is God interested in each one of us no matter what our problems or needs?
6. When does a fetus become a human being?
7. Who is my brother in Christ?
8. Are there Christians in all belief systems?
9. Is there any perfect church anywhere on earth?
10. Is it possible to determine who is a conservative Christian and who is a liberal Christian?
If so which one is saved and which one is not saved or are both saved?
11. Does Christ save me from sin or does the church?
12. Which sins are unforgivable besides the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit?
13. Are there church's that think it is wrong for a woman to attend services without a hat
and are there church's who think it is OK for a woman to go to church without a hat?
14. Are there churches that think Sunday school is wrong?
15. Are there churches that have Sunday school?
16. Are there churches that use one container for the fruit of the vine in the Lord's Supper?
17. Are there churches that have multiple containers for the juice in the Lord's Supper?
18 Are there churches that commune every Sunday? Or Saturday?
19. Are there churches that commune less often?
20. Are there churches that believe monies cannot be taken out of the treasury to support
orphans homes?
21 Are there churches that believe monies can be taken out of the church treasury to support
orphans homes?
22. Are there churches that believe that Christ will come back to earth and reign for 1,000
years.
23. Are there churches that believe that Christ will not come back to earth and reign a 1,000
years.
24. Are there churches that believe in spiritual gifts?
25. Are there churches that do not believe in spiritual gifts?
26. Are there churches that believe that the Holy Spirit is simply the Word?
27. Are there churches that believe that the Holy Spirit is a person?
28. Are there churches that have praise teams?
29. Are there churches that do not have praise teams?
30. Are there churches that raise their hands in praise to God?
31. Are there churches that do not raise their hands to praise God?
32. Are there churches that use instruments in worship?
33. Are there churches that do not use instruments in worship?
34. Are there churches that frown on women wearing slacks to church?
35. Are there churches that do not frown on women wearing slacks to church?
36. Are there churches that believe in paying the preacher out of the church treasury?
37. Are there churches that do not believe in paying the preacher out of the church treasury?
38. Are there churches that baptize believers immediately?
39 Are there churches that wait awhile to baptize believers?
40. Among all these churches is it possible that there might be someone attending their services
regularly who might not agree with everything they do?
41. Is it possible that even a member of another denomination might be going to one of these
churches and considering themselves to be a member of one of these churches and not
agreeing with everything they are teaching?
42. Is it possible that there might be some folks attending their services and having opinions
differing from them and yet they have been accepted into their fellowship?
43. Is it possible that in any one of a number of these churches that there are folks that are
sinners who have been accepted into the fellowship?
44. Are any of the folks in the above churches lost because of their conservatism or liberalism?
45. Does not Paul teach that among churches there will be differing opinions in Romans 14 and
15?
46 Is salvation individual or collective?
47. If so are there saved people in all belief systems?
48. Who decides if a person is saved or lost?
49. Are there any sinless Christians?
50.Is covetousness and idolatry and drunkenness and foul mouthed abuse of others as bad as
fornication?
51. Which of the following sins listed in the Bible is a worse sin than others? If a Christian
commits one of these sins and repents what is the result? (fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whispering,
backbiting, hating God, deceitful, pride, boasting, evil, dishonesty with parents,
covenant breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, anger, wrath, blasphemy, filthy communication, lying, brawling, foolishness,
disobedience, lust, pleasures, hate, adultery, rioting, drunkenness, wantonness, strife,
theft, false testimony, evil thoughts, wickedness, an evil eye, witchcraft, sedition,
heresies, bitterness, clamour, hypocrisy, a lack of love)
52. Why are churches so selective in punishing those who commit a few of these sins and are
not consistent throughout? I believe Jesus would say something like this "let him cast
the first stone".
53. Are there any totally correct, sinless, perfectly orthodox, conservative churches anywhere
in this world.
54. Who is not a sinner?
55. Who forgives sins?
56. And what does poor in spirit mean?
57. Does God give a repentant sinner the right to judge another repentant sinner?
58. Does God forgive the unforgiving?
59. There are over 6 billion people in the world. There are over 300 million people in the
United States. Does a belief system that has less than 10 million people have the right to
judge all the rest to perdition?
60. Who did Paul preach?
61. What is the one thing that saves a person from sin?
62. If one is a believer in Jesus Christ and does not meet the prerequisites of some belief system
is he lost?
63. Can Jesus forgive sins from heaven as He did when He was on earth?
64. What significance did Jesus give the greatest commandment and the one second to it?
65. Thousands are dying today in hospitals and die each day. If they believe in Jesus and do
not comply with a system of belief are they lost?
66. Do you think that all men and women who have died on the battlefields and clung to their
Saviour at death were lost because they did not comply with the intricacies of a belief
system?
67. Do you teach your children that everybody in the third world countries who have never
heard of Jesus Christ go to perdition?
68. Can you perfectly live out the requirements of your belief system?
69. Since you can't what saves you?
70. Is it the Grace of God?
71 If God's Grace can save you when you cannot perfectly perform then why would you
limit God's Grace to others who cannot perfectly perform?
72. Do you pride yourself in being conservative yet allow yourself certain privileges daily to
live life as you see fit?
73. If you give men the right of forgiveness and the freedom to worship God then would that
do any harm to your belief system? If not then what motive do you have in condemning
them?
74. If God honors your belief system with its imperfections then what makes you believe that
He will not honor others with their imperfections?
75. If God instructs you to love your enemies then what is wrong with loving other believers in
Christ?
76. If churches in the New Testament were not exactly like other churches then what makes
you believe they can be exactly alike today?
77. Is it possible that there are some churches that are churches not of Christ who may have
things fairly doctrinally correct but have lost the Spirit of Christ and the disposition of
Christ?

There are probably more fishbones but this is enough. Fact is human beings will never have all the answers. That is where Grace comes in. We see in a mirror darkly. All we can do is put our faith and trust in God; lean not on our own understandings,; never think we have all the answers to all our problems and others; pray, pray, pray for forgiveness and the help of God; believe with all our heart the promises of God; keep our eyes on Jesus; don't compare ourselves with others nor look to ourselves as being the model for others; permit others a like access to God's Grace as we permit ourselves; refuse to believe that we go to a perfect church; give others the right to be imperfect as we are imperfect; stop categorizing people and sins and look at people as being God's creation; quit branding folks because we think we have more insight into God's Word than they; and look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Please Allow Me To Have Peace

The picture above is of the courtyard of a church built on the mountain where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus preached peace for his followers.

The Greek word for peace in the New Testament is eirene. It is the opposite of dissension and trouble. And it is a quality directly associated with and given by God.

Some of the antonyms of peace are; war, fight, conflict, anguish, distress, anxiety, fear, disturbance, confusion, tumult, division, and strife. Jesus is called "...the Prince of Peace..." (Rev.1:5)

God is the giver of peace. Romans 5:1 says "Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The fruit of the Holy Spirit is: "...love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..."(Gal. 5:22)

Where does one put oneself when he or she constantly attempts to ruin peace in another Christian's life. If we make war in the lives of others I fear we follow the "...prince of this world..." (John 12:31), "...the accuser of our brethren. " (Rev. 12:10), "...a roaring lion ...seeking whom he may devour..." (I Pet. 5:8), "...the god of this world ..." (II Cor.4:4) who promotes the works of the flesh which are "...quarrels..." "...a contentious temper..." "...fits of rage..." and "...dissensions ..." (Gal. 5:19) Jesus desire is that "...we may have peace..." (John 16:33)

What is wrong with a Christian who persists in conflict, upset, fights, trouble. He claims to be a Christian, he is a follower of Christ. Yet, he makes war and creates division. Why? What is the cause? What is the motivation? What spirit causes that? I suppose multiple reasons could be listed. But none can be associated with Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace. Jealousy, pride, contempt, hate, possessiveness or a number of other like negative qualities should not be found "...in Christ...".

Jesus said "...blessed are the peace makers..." (Matt. 5:9) Where does that leave warmongers of the world? Peacemakers are called sons of God. Where does that leave the strivers, contenders, disputers, and antagonizers?

Paul said "...let us pursue the things which make for peace." (Rom. 14:19); "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. " (Rom. 8:6); "...let the peace of God rule in your hearts..." (Col. 3:15); "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way." (II Thess. 3:6); "Be at peace among yourselves..." (I Thess. 5:13)

James wrote "...the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (Ja. 3:18)

It is about time in my opinion that Christians stop hurting one another. And it is about time we all listened very carefully to our Lord and Saviour. There is too much of a pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious spirit in Christendom.

Jesus said "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) Jesus said "These things have I spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. (John 16:33) Paul wrote of "...the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. " (Phil. 4:7) And Paul said this peace comes "...through Jesus Christ."(Phil. 4:7)

Fact is no man can take that away from a true child of God. Please. Christ came to give His children peace. Don't try to destroy our peace.

JERUSALEM

As we came out of a tunnel on our way from touring the Dead Sea area, looking across toward Mt. Nebo where Moses died and God buried him, climbing Masada, and walking up the valley of En-Gedi where David dwelt, we looked to our right and viewed a brilliant sight, the City of Jerusalem.

Just as we exited the tunnel and looked toward the City of David the song "Jerusalem" began playing loudly on our tour bus. I don't think there was a dry eye on the bus. I know mine were not.

Moriah was bought by David from the Jebusites we are told. Before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. a magnificent temple was built by Herod on the peak of Moriah. I believe our tour guide told us this temple was about 22 stories high. Today as one comes out of that tunnel one can view vividly the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim temple on the sight where the temples of Solomon and Herod stood. The Muslim temple is not nearly as gigantic and brilliant.

Jesus will come back and there will be another destruction of another temple. Peter tells us when that will happen. "...the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (II Peter 3:10)

I do not profess to understand everything about this great city of Jerusalem now and forever. All I know is that the Bible speaks graphically about the city of Jerusalem. May I give you just a few notations? John speaks of "...the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." (Rev. 1:10) Revelations 3:12 refers to "...New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God...". John saw "...the holy city, New Jerusalem..." (Rev. 21:2)

Thank the Lord Paul said "...the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all...". (Gal. 4:26). Then he said in Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,..."

Peter said that we should look for "...new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (II Peter 3:13)

Is it any wonder that the writer of the song 'Jerusalem' would pen the following:

"John saw a city that could not be hid.

John saw the city, O yes, he did.

John caught a glimpse of the golden throne.

Tell me all about it, go right on.

Around the throne he saw a crystal sea.

There's got to be more, what will it be?

I want to go to that city he saw, New Jerusalem."

So what do we know about this place? The important thing is that John says "...He will dwell with them and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."

"and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Rev. 21:3-4)

BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

EPHESIANS 2:8

FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH

AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT

OF GOD!

PEACE COMES FROM THE LORD

JAMES 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle , and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

----And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Thanks

CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY IN THE GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS..................

I want to thank those of you that have written to me and called to respond to my latest series on "The Moneychangers". I have sort of been on vacation with LaJuanah's family and we had a great time up in the mountains. The weather was wonderful and we got to visit with them in their church. We had great praise and worship and heard several really interesting teachings. LaJuanah's children and grandchildren are very sweet and they enjoy getting together every time we go up there. I look forward to the day I will be able to visit with my children and grandchildren and enjoy sharing in their lives. I am working on my next series for my blog. I hope to be able to show the love and hope that comes from knowing our Lord and Saviour and the blessings He bestows upon us everyday. God Bless all of you. I do love hearing from you and appreciate any input you may have. Have a blessed day...............Wayne

A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

THIS IS A GATHERING OF CHRISTIANS BY THE SEA OF GALILEE WHO

ARE ENJOYING EACH OTHERS FELLOWSHIP.

The final chapter of my writings about the tactics of moneychangers in the house of God is this one. I plan to write no more on this topic. This one will take some patience to read as it will be the longest. I believe it has done me much good. I have studied passages afresh and I realize that I am indebted to Jesus Christ to be forgiving and loving. And I hope I will never again judge any person unworthy of the blessings of our Lord. You remember we were writing about the consequences imposed on others by the charlatans of our day who have somehow missed the grace and forgiveness of God and who have appointed themselves as judges at the gates of the city of God.

We had talked about how Paul would have been unworthy in one of their churches. Now how about Abraham. Did he not misrepresent the fact that Sarah was his wife? God's consequence went something like this. "...he is a prophet..."(Gen. 20:7) and "...in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." Would he have been tagged a compulsive liar by some in high places today?

Take a look at David. He was a murderer and adulterer. Where would he have been in your fellowship Mr. Moneychanger.? What would you have imposed on him? David became a forgiven man. He said to God..."...you forgave the iniquity of my sins."(Ps. 32:5) Why? He said.."...I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"(Ps. 32:5) No wonder he wrote "Blessed is he whosetransgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." What would you have done with him? What have you done with other sinners like him? Paul picks up on David's statements in Ps. 32 and utilizes them with reference to us today who are children of God. Ro.4:5"to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." So Paul concludes as David did..."Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered."(Ro. 4:7)

Another reason I believe some are adversely affected by these bullies is because many fellowships are boss-run fellowships that are more business and society oriented than Christ oriented. Matthew was a tax-collector who was chosen to be an apostle. That surprised many of that day. Jesus actually ate with such folks. Mt. 9:10..."Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples." The society of the day and the spiritual bosses disapproved. Jesus said to them..."...I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."(Mt. 9:13) I wonder if they got His drift? "...the righteous..." That is exactly what they saw themselves to be. They were already perfect. Those bosses were well qualified in their minds to say who sinners are and who should be allowed to eat at a table of a teacher. Mk. 2:15 says of the sinners...."...there were many, and they followed Him..."

These ax carrying bosses would spurn any fellowship with sinners. After all they are of very little use to the corporation. Yet Jesus said..."it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." (Mt. 18:11-14)

Is that not the reason John tells the Christians he writes to in his epistles, including himself, that God will "...cleanse us from all unrighteousness..."(I Jn. 1:10) God is not willing that we perish but that we come to repentance..that we be saved...that we have forgiveness....

Takes us to another ploy...They say..."Some sins are worse than others." Question...If we confess our sins and God does away with "...all unrighteousness..." where is your argument. If all unrighteousness is gone then the fact is that for the confessing Christian there remains no unrighteousness. Paul told the Christians at Colosse that God had "...forgiven us all our transgressions..."(Col. 2:13) Did you note that Paul was just like John? He included himself in sin.

I know your next ploy. You go back to the beginning of the first chapter of I John and you say "But in order to have forgiveness of sins and the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all unrighteousness one has to "...walk in the light..." Don't you know that walking in the light cannot mean sinless perfection? Else John himself could not have been forgiven because he included himself as a sinner with other sinners. (I Jn. 1:9)

Forgiveness and reconciliation is hard to come by in some circles. Bosses don't want it. And they have the power, the influence, the control to prohibit a renewal of fellowship among some Christians.

There is a real absence of that which lasts forever among those circles. That that is love according to Paul in I Cor. 13. Jesus taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves and even our enemies. Question is can act like they do and love truly love as Jesus loved?

The very fact that Jesus gives such explicit teaching about forgiveness should attract the attention of many who are unforgiving. Peter asked Jesus "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" "Jesus said to him, I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."(Mt. 18:21-22) Should be enough, but not in some circles.

We were privileged to be near the mountain where Jesus preached the most famous sermon ever to be preached. In it he said. "...if you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you." "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."(Mt. 6:14-15) Mk. 11:26..."...if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

I wonder what you are teaching your children about forgiveness? Are you rearing a generation that will be just like you? Will they be unforgiving and in the process be in danger of not having their sins forgiven? Will they hold grudges? Will the church to them be some sort of haven where the perfect abide and all sinners are on the outside? Will they shut the doors of the kingdom against sinners who are trying to enter? If so what will happen to your fellowships? Will they continue? Or will they cease to be?

If Jesus had forgiven to the degree that some men do based on the hurt that others sins caused in their lives there would be no hope of redemption. How we hurt him. How our sins affected him. O how we wounded his glorious head. How we ridiculed him. How we shamed him. How we abused him. How we made fun of him. We murdered him. And yet he said..."...Father forgive them..."

I am sorry I adversely affected you Mr. Moneychanger. I am a sinner. I confess my sins. I have caused ripples in your lives. But guess what. You have a long list to exploit and persecute. Let me give you a few examples of those you are going to have to remove from your fellowships.

Here are some examples. What are you going to do with them?

Noah drank until he was drunk.(Gen. 9:21) "Then he drank of the wine and was drunk,..."

Abraham lied about his wife.(Gen. 12:12-13) Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me..."

Lot committed drunkenness and incest with his daughters and had children by them. Gen. 19:32..."Come let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him..." Gen. 19:36..."Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father."

Jacob stole his brothers birthright and lied to his father. Gen. 27:24..."Then he said, Are you really my son Esau?" He said, "I am."

Reuben had relations with his father's concubine. Gen. 35:22..."...Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine;..."

Moses committed murder and disobeyed God before God's people. Ex. 2:11-13; Num. 20:1-12..."..he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." "...you did not believe me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel..."

David committed adultery and had the husband of the woman he committed adultery with killed. "...your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead..."(II Sam.l 11:24) II Sam. 11:2..."...it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold." II Sam. 11:4..."Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her..."

Paul was an accomplice to the murder of Christians and persecuted the churchActs 7:58-59..."And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Acts 8:1..."Now Saul was consenting to his death.." Acts 8:3..."And Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison."

Peter denied Christ. Mt. 26:74..."...I now not the man..."

On and on we could go. Demas loved the world. Whole churches were forsaking Christ. Ephesus left it's first love.(Rev. 2:4) Pergamos had doctrinal problems.(Rev. 2:14-15) Thyatira put up with a false prophetess.(Rev. 2:20-21) Sardis was dead.(Rev. 3:1) Laodicea was lukewarm.(Rev. 3:16) In all cases all God asks for is repentance. What do you want Mr. Moneychanger?

The crux of the matter can be simplified into one statement. Jesus Christ offers all men forgiveness because all me are sinners. He came for their salvation. My prayer and earnest request is that if you read this and you are a moneychanger who exploits men in their hour of repentance and need that you will warm your hearts with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ and resolve to be a true spiritual and caring leader in the lives of men and women who are plagued with guilt, depression, loneliness, spiritual demise, loss, discouragement. Please read the New Testament, especially the gospels and acquire to your lives the disposition of our Saviour. Sinners already know they are sinners. You don't have to tell them. Please just introduce them to a God and a Saviour who wants all men to be saved. Please remove the choke hold of judgementalism and in doing so you will "...both save thyself, and them that hear thee."(I Tim. 4;16)

BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER

THE PICTURE ACCOMPANYING THIS WRITING IS A PICTURE OF A CHECKPOINT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE. THIS IS A SAD NOTE WHEN ONE CONSIDERS JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM AND HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD. HE DIED IN JERUSALEM WHICH IS IN ISRAEL FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD. YET THE COUNTRY THAT WAS DESIGNATED AS THE PROMISED

LAND IS DIVIDED.

It occurs to me that some of our brothers are living under the iron hand of sectarianism of one form or another. There is in this world an unfortunate spirit of selfishness that would rule others in this way. If a brother commits a wrong that discomforts another brother it is never forgotten. And sin is used to rule ones life. I know a dear brother that lives under that kind of dominance right now. He is a close friend; a good man; born again; a christian; has confessed his sins and no man can snatch him out of God's hands. Yet the heavy foot of criticism and justice and judgement is upon his neck and his personal life is a daily experience of human meanness.

It is easy to judge another person in the eyes of some. Others sins are so obvious that they are used to accuse and destroy. It is more difficult to view ones own shortcomings and sins because that is too uncomfortable, besides ones sins are not as bad as others sins. And others must realize that there is discomfort and consequences attached to their sins.

You know I think that this is the worst kind of exploitation and moneychanging. Why? Fact is others can attempt to stand between a person and the forgiveness a loving God gives. But this attempt is in vain. God's forgiveness is available to all men and it is little that anyone can do to prohibit God. But consequences for sins can be humanly contrived and imposed on others and this is the worse kind of exploitation.

The ploy is this...sins can be forgiven, repentance and confession can be accepted by a loving Saviour. Yet the charlatan has one more trick up his sleeve. "But what about the consequences of sin? yada, yada, yada...".

It is a fact that sin does have consequences. The very first one is death. "...in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Gen.2:17) Those are the wages. There are the consequences. But my dear moneychanger friend have you not read Romans 6:23? "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

All agree that consequences do occur with sin. There may be social, familial and personal consequences. But the question arises as to who determines those consequences and how long do they last. If the Spirit of God and the fruits of the Spirit are prevalent such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, etc. then how does anyone possibly determine for themselves evil are bad consequences in the life of another sinner.

Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:1). The Bible is a book of peace for the followers of God. Yet there is hardly any peace and a lot of trouble dished out by many paradoxically in the name of the "...Prince of Peace." God is quite capable of determining any consequences yet religious charlatans play God in this respect.

A good person always chastises himself with reference to his sins. The apostle Paul said for example "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I Tim. 1:15) But even here this is a self imposed consequence of sin. Hebrews 8:12 says of folks like Paul "...for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

To attach consequences to others' sins is only simple conjecture. I wonder how such folks would have treated Paul. He was an accomplice to murder and he persecuted the church. Galatians 1:13 "... I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it." I Cor. 15:9 "...for I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. " Paul was aware of his wretchedness and he knew who delivered him from that. He said "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "(Romans 7:25) Among the last words Paul wrote one understands that Paul's sins had been forgiven for he told Timothy in II Tim 4:7 -8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; " "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. "

It is true that Paul did wrong and sinned. At the stoning of Stephen it is said that the witnesses "...laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul." (Acts 7:58) and Acts 8:1 says "Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death." Paul did not forget his shortcomings. Most good men don't. What would you have done with Paul in your church? Would you have excommunicated him? What worse thing can one do than kill Christians? How much more harm can one do than imprison members of the church? Yet he was a forgiven man and God said of him in Acts 9:15"...he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bare My name before the Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel." Paul knew why. He said "...by the grace of God I am what I am..." (I Cor. 15:10). In our day among some Paul would have been given public notice in local church papers that he was a sinner and out of possible fellowship and usefulness. Thanks be to God that He gives no such honor to such tactics.

CONDEMNING THE HELPLESS

PSALM 10:2,8 "...THE WICKED ..." "...EYES ARE
SECRETLY FIXED ON THE HELPLESS..."

While thinking about this blog I overheard my wife reading a little book to one of the grandchildren about sharks. It seems that all sharks are in appearance to some degree like other sharks. A whale shark has 3,000 teeth but it would never bite you. A diver can ride on its back and it never attempts to harm the diver. A great white may have the same appearance of a whale shark but one would never attempt to ride on the back of a great white for obvious reasons.

Throughout the country men in suits and ties are leaders in religious movements. They all look alike in appearance but some are tamed and gentle and would never harm another. However, some would "...bite and devour ..." (Gal. 5:15). The latter are religious charlatans who would condemn the spiritually helpless by standing between the Saviour and the helpless.

In a recent blog we looked at the story of the prodigal son. God freely accepted this sinner with open arms. Moneychangers are much like the older brother who complained about the Father's readiness to accept the boy back. Even to the point that he went to him as he returned. Besides the ripple effect of sin being an excuse for not forgiving others I can imagine another ploy given by the unforgiving. "We don't know whether he has truly repented or not." "We don't know for sure about his sincerity." "Why has he come back when he is not worthy." "Doesn't he know everybody knows he is pretending." The older brother acted sort of that way did he not? He was angry that his father so readily received him and he would not even go to the banquet the father had prepared for the boy. However, the father was relentless in giving his forgiveness to the boy.

It is here that we see the significant and real difference between a loving heavenly Father and a judgmental, unforgiving charlatan. "...We had to celebrate and rejoice for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found." (Luke 15:32;" I offer another retort from God to the moneychangers who attempt to refuse the Grace of God to sinners. In John 8:1-11 Jesus gives us the account. The religious professionals of the day brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in adultery. Their take was that the sin was so bad that she should be stoned. They asked Jesus what He thought about it. He wrote on the ground as if he did not even hear them. Then He said to them "...He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." Then he just stooped back down and began writing on the ground again. They simply slinked away, and when they were gone He said to the woman..."Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" The lady said "No one, Lord." Jesus said to her..."...Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more;"

To think that Jesus condoned adultery or riotous living of any kind would be far-fetched. But to think those sins or any other sin is in a category of unforgiveness is also far-fetched. Jesus did not categorize sin. He forgave it. And He simply admitted that the woman was a sinner and her accusers were sinners when He made the statement "...He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." I would hope that we all, including charlatans who should know better, would realize that.

The only ploy then that the moneychanger has to keep pentitent sinners from forgiveness and therefore imprisoned in their sins is to impugn the motives of the sinner. I think I know what they are saying about these two sinners, the prodigal and the adulterous woman. "Jesus knew they had truly repented so he forgave them because repentance is necessary for forgiveness." I must tell you here that Jesus still knows the repentant heart even today. And if you say you do you are treading in dangerous water.

I know what you really want from people before you will forgive them. It is repentance, but it is incredibly more than that. You want sins fixed and you want someone to suffer in the process. But you want what God does not require. And no one can fix sins. Can you fix your sins? Can anyone take care of the ripples? You seem to misunderstand about repentance. Don't you know what it is? It is produced by sorrow that is godly and it is a change of mind and purpose and cannot include fixing the results of sins. Jesus did that on the cross. Don't you know that.

The Father did not tell the prodigal to restore all the inheritance. He just forgave him. And Jesus did not tell that adulterous woman to go back and undo her adultery. He knew that would be impossible. He simply told her He did not condemn her and advised her to sin no more. And that is the same advise he gives you, Mr. Moneychanger. Sin no more. Please quit looking for excuses to condemn. Quit putting a yoke around the necks of others that you cannot bear yourself. We are all sinful. God encourages us not to be, but we are. And by His grace He forgives us and saves us because of His love for us and the perfect sacrifice He gave on our behalf.

There is absolutely no way you can look into the heart of an individual and determine the genuineness of his repentance. So please let them have the forgiveness of God without preying on the helpless sinner and condemning him.

OUR ONLY TRUE SOURCE OF HELP

PSALM 121:1-2

"I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS-- FROM WHENCE COMES MY HELP?" "MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH."

Today I sit looking at the beautiful, lush mountains of eastern Tennessee. Do I have the right to look unto those hills and beyond and expect help from the Lord? The religious charlatans of our day, the theological moneychangers say no.

Men everywhere sing "...amazing grace how sweet the sound that saves a wretch like me..." Yet these quasi-religious experts willingly apply these words to themselves and a few who they have deemed worthy of this grace. They disallow any right of other wretches to the grace of God. Why? I believe by experience I have learned that it is because they have imagined my sins have had a negative ripple effect in their lives.

May I ask whose wretchedness does not affect others? It is much like throwing a rock into the ocean. The ripples seem to go on endlessly. Our sins affect others in this way. But God forgives the sin and gives one the right to experience his grace despite the ripples. The effects of men's sins had a great impact on the one who was willing to die for our sins. "...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,..."(Isa. 53:5)

What a piece of work a man is who would deny all wretches access to this Saviour. Men attempting to truly look "...to the hills..." are limited in their access by these self-appointed charlatans who would stand in their way.

The book of Psalms is a treatise about how God deals with those who are persecuted and ridiculed by such people. The Psalmist would say..."Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease."(Ps. 121:4) David said "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;"(Ps. 124:2-3) Don't despair if you would look to God for help and someone would stand in your way with the excuse that you are not worthy...The Psalmist wrote..."As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever."(Ps. 125:2)

It was my blessed privilege yesterday to read the book of Psalms while at every moment I could look out the window at those beautiful mountains. The book is replete with the plight of man and the attitude of God toward a man who seeks Him. Help is available. We may have to look beyond the moneychangers of our day, but help is definitely there. Note some encouragements.

Ps. 3:4..."I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill." Ps. 5:6..."The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man." Ps. 5:11..."...let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them;" Ps. 9:10..."...You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." Ps. 9:12..."...He does not forget the cry of the humble." Ps. 15:1..."Lord...," "...Who may dwell in Your holy hill?" Ps. 15:3..."He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor..." Ps. 18:2..."The Lord is my rock and my fortress and deliverer;..." Ps. 18:6..."In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears." Ps. 18:27...You will save the humble people..." Ps. 18:50..."...He..." "...shows mercy to His anointed..." Ps. 25:3..."...let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." Ps. 25:9..."The humble He guides in justice..." Ps.27:1..."The Lord is my light and my salvation..." Ps. 27:14..."Wait on the Lord...and He shall strengthen your heart..." Ps. 30:2..."O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me." Ps. 31:12..."I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;" Ps. 31:13..."...I hear the slander of many;..." Ps. 31:14..."But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;..." Ps. 32:5..."I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin." Ps. 34:4..."I sought the Lord, and He heard me,..." Ps. 37:23..."The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,..." Ps. 37:24..."Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;..." Ps. 56:11..."In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do to me?" Ps. 57:1..."...in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge..." Ps. 66:20..."Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me." Ps. 69:32..."...you who seek God, your hearts shall live." Ps. 101:7..."He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house..." Ps. 142:4..."Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me, refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul." Ps. 142:5..." I cried out to You, O Lord; I said You are my refuge..." Ps. 145:8..."The Lord is gracious and full of compassion..." Ps. 146:5..." Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help." Ps. 150:6..."Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

David is an explicit example of a man who was sinful. Yet if one reads Psalms 32 and Psalms 51 where he asks for the forgiveness of his sins one cannot miss the fact that David was forgiven. He was a sinner and knew it. But he also knew he was a forgiven sinner. The same is true today of those who are pentitent and go to a loving heavenly Father for their forgiveness. Despite what may be conjectured by some we can truly "...look unto the hills..." "...from whence comes..." our help. And " our help comes from the Lord. "...who made heaven and earth." Please do not let anyone deny you that right. That is between you and your loving heavenly Father.