There are a lot of politicians out there and even people who call themselves Christians who are willing to compromise. They are willing to say there are other ways to heaven. They are willing to allow other doctrines into their hearts. They are willing to exchange the word of God for the words of men.
All of that leads to ruin.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." — Colossians 1:15-20
This brief passage reminds me of the opening of John's gospel.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but darkness has not understood it." — John 1:1-5
Christ was not a philosopher; he was not a preacher; he was not just a good man. Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Universe. He is God.
From this working foundation, we can begin to prepare ourselves for battle against the forces of the world.
Jesus brings peace for those who call upon his name, namely, Jesus brings reconciliation with God through the remission and forgiveness of our sins.
Now, for those who do not accept what Christ has to offer, they have anything but peace.
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." — Matthew 10:34-39
As followers of Christ, we are swimming against the current of the world. The world will call us old fashioned, backward, radical and bunch of other names that don't sound real nice, but we must stand firm and do battle against them, but fight with what God has given us.
On the billboard of Crockett Road Church of Christ in Palestine it aptly says this week to "Fight like a man, get on your knees."
That is how we do battle. We pray for our enemies and ask that God will open their hearts so they may proclaim Jesus is Lord.
Their very soul depends upon it. The fate of the world depends on it.
The time for Christ's return is drawing very near. It doesn't take a prophecy scholar to see the events unfolding in the world today are drawing us closer to Christ's return.
It could be tomorrow or it could be in 30 years, but don't place a sucker's bet on the fact Christ won't be coming back for his church.
Knowing this, the followers of Christ have an obligation to put our churches back on the path of Christ. To shy away from inclusiveness of other beliefs.
Folks, Christ is inclusive, because all who will call upon his name can be saved, he does not discriminate. What turns people away is telling them there are other ways. Just remember John 14:6
Christ died for the world.
"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." — Colossians 1:22-23
I don't see other so-called gods out there doing that. The world is saved through the blood of Christ — nothing else.
Hey this is Andi Green avertising director at the Athens Review. What a post! What a statement! Loved it! Thanks for sharing that with teh world we all need it.
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