All Things: Wrong?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Romans 13:1-2 (ESV)

I've been facing a personal challenge with a “chunk” of American Christians. I’m supposed to love them like family. and I confess: my challenge is growing:

  • It grows when Gay people are demonized.

  • It grows when Christians whine about freedom.

  • It grows with white people who hate color.

  • It grows with fiery pastors who hate Jews.

  • It grows with cold shoulders to immigrants.

  • It grows with indifference to the poor.

  • It grows with a stance called “nationalism”,

  • It grows with a “me-first, us-first” mindset.

Think of Jesus, Paul, and early Christians– or Christians in persecuting nations. Their gravely torturous circumstances make our irritations look JUVENILE. We’re like spoiled children, too into ourselves!

'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament' (Matthew 11:17).* God did not create all of our struggles, but He allows them for a good purpose.**

Where in His Word are we led to believe life should be easy and follow “our” rules? Is that how it worked for Jesus, the Man? Is that how it worked for His disciples?

Compared to most other people on Earth, what in the world are we griping about? Did Jesus protest Roman rule and laws? Are anger, judgment, and condemnation the Good News we’re ordered to distribute?

Consider our God-ordained examples:

Jesus, Paul, and every early Christian trusted in God to make ALL WRONG THINGS right…

And in the process of their blind faith walks– when love seemed an impossible response, when the world's eyes were drawn to their stories, countless people witnessed God in action.***

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: In ALL THINGS, love is your greatest show.

All Things: Wrong (Part 3)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* Bible commentaries on Matthew 11:17,

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/11-17.htm

including this one: 'Christ proceeds to reprove the inconsistency and fickleness of that age of people. He says they were like children -- nothing pleased them' (Barnes' Notes on the Bible).

** Short article: Did God Create Evil? http://www.gotquestions.org/did-God-create-evil.html

** One more short article: Didn't God Create Evil, Too? http://www.comereason.org/did-god-create-evil.asp

Carey Arban