Why are we losing the battle for Jesus in America today? At whom do we point the finger for our failure to reach the masses here in this blighted country? I am not sure that we can really blame any one person but I think I have an idea of what is going on.
I call it the Taming of Jesus.
When we go to our local church we hear sweet stories about the God that will protect us and keep us from evil. How this Master will keep us safe and protected in harbors till our time to return to him has come. A walk, if you will, along paths in meadows of green grass and flowers.
Is this reality? NO
You see we, in our stupidity, are trying to tame that which is wild. God is not some tame dog that will keep us safe from the world, barking out his warning when trouble approaches. No, God is a God that does what he will to bring about the perfection of the Saints (thats you). Look at what he allowed to happen to Job, the Man that he loved. All that he owned was destroyed, his children were killed, he friends turned against him and accused him of hiding some sin in his life, his wife turned against God and left him. On top of all that he was afflicted with a hideous rash. What worse fate could have happened to Job? This was a man that worshiped God daily. God will not be tamed, he will do what he will, not what you want him to do. (When you pray with the intent of forcing God to do something he has no intention of doing, that is called spell casting.) Look at the lives of any of the New Testament brothers and sisters. Many if them suffered for their testimony of Jesus.
I call it the Taming of Jesus.
When we go to our local church we hear sweet stories about the God that will protect us and keep us from evil. How this Master will keep us safe and protected in harbors till our time to return to him has come. A walk, if you will, along paths in meadows of green grass and flowers.
Is this reality? NO
You see we, in our stupidity, are trying to tame that which is wild. God is not some tame dog that will keep us safe from the world, barking out his warning when trouble approaches. No, God is a God that does what he will to bring about the perfection of the Saints (thats you). Look at what he allowed to happen to Job, the Man that he loved. All that he owned was destroyed, his children were killed, he friends turned against him and accused him of hiding some sin in his life, his wife turned against God and left him. On top of all that he was afflicted with a hideous rash. What worse fate could have happened to Job? This was a man that worshiped God daily. God will not be tamed, he will do what he will, not what you want him to do. (When you pray with the intent of forcing God to do something he has no intention of doing, that is called spell casting.) Look at the lives of any of the New Testament brothers and sisters. Many if them suffered for their testimony of Jesus.
1Pe 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
We do a dis-service when we deny the wild side of God and how he deals with his children. Have plans for your future? Did you check with God? I think it can be rather pathetic how some pastors portray Jesus as this tame, friendly, brother figure that will protect you from all the evils of the world. Then the first time a new Christian runs into a life changing trial he immediately begins to question the depth and validity of his faith. After all if God is allowing him to go through this trial then he must have sinned or done something wrong... Isn't that what Jobs friends accused him of? Why don't we tell these people the truth? If you accept God, you will have trials, your faith will be challenged and you will suffer for his name, in fact, the more you do in Christ the more you will suffer. (The obverse of this observation has some interesting consequences, if you are not going through trials for Jesus, where is your faith and walk? In the gutter?)
Why aren't we up there preaching that proclaiming Jesus as our Master and Saviour is to sign up for a roller coaster ride through life? Jesus is not interested in how many toys you collect, how much money you have, or how good of a job you have. He is interested in only one thing, your journey to perfection. If he has to allow the destrucion of all that you have, the death of your children, your friends turning against you and/or disease/handicaps into your life to bring you closer to perfection then he will do it. Remember Job?
I am sure that some of you will object to my portrayal of God, saying "how could such a loving God allow this to happen to me". I say to you, read your bible.
Why aren't we up there preaching that proclaiming Jesus as our Master and Saviour is to sign up for a roller coaster ride through life? Jesus is not interested in how many toys you collect, how much money you have, or how good of a job you have. He is interested in only one thing, your journey to perfection. If he has to allow the destrucion of all that you have, the death of your children, your friends turning against you and/or disease/handicaps into your life to bring you closer to perfection then he will do it. Remember Job?
I am sure that some of you will object to my portrayal of God, saying "how could such a loving God allow this to happen to me". I say to you, read your bible.
Psa 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
and again
1Co 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
You will be tempted and God will allow it to happen.
Rom 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
There is a reason for your suffering, God is creating a new person. The sword is created on the anvil under the hammer just as you are created in suffering on the anvil of your trials. Praise God in your trials because you are loved by him and he is striving to bring you to perfection.
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