~ Backward Christianity ~

BACKWARD CHRISTIANITY

There are some observations that I would like to share...things that the Lord has quickened to me...things I once embraced and practiced, thinking I was doing what was pleasing to God.

External vs. Internal:

God is a Spirit, those that Worship HIM must do so in spirit and in truth. Not man's truth...but God's. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, for us to have knowledge/understanding of truth, to move/act from true motivations, we must be moving by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not the flesh. The Word clearly tells us that the "flesh profiteth nothing." When it comes to spiritual things, in the natural we attempt to outwardly put on an appearance of holiness or spirituality. We can monitor and modify our dress, our speech, our conduct; all these outward actions can be brought under control to have the appearance of spirituality. Some people can put an appearance of holiness on and off at will, dependent upon their situation and surroundings, who is around? To all outward appearances...they look and sound genuine. But in reality they are counterfeits, chameleons that adapt to outward stimuli. In truth, they have no real substance, no life. They are operating outside of a crucified life, imitating what they perceive as pious living. This is so widespread and common, that it is entirely acceptable in most religious arenas. No one dares to call these masqueraders to account, "that would be being judgmental." Do we really believe that God is God? Do we believe that He sees and knows all that we say, do and think? When we purposely deceive others, just who are getting one over on? What are we really getting away with? Do we realize that we will stand before a HOLY God and have to give an account for our life? Do we believe what Jesus said?

Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Our Focus:

In this technological age of instant everything, there are many things to distract us. Daily we are bombarded with events transpiring across the globe, seeing immediate pictures of news events that once took months to reach around the world. Thanks to communication satellites they now can be viewed in real time, as they occur. Terrorism, wars, racial unrest, economic instability, domestic turmoil, crime, dissidents, protests, school shootings, you name it, and it's happening and in our faces. Fear is one of the greatest motivating factors being used in today's world. Uncertainty is rampant in all areas of life, from health to weather to national and world concerns, there is seemingly no control. The stresses of trying to accommodate and please others ranks high for a majority of mankind, from within the home to the workplace to the Church or school, there seems to be a never ending call for our time and energies; to contribute, to participate, to support, to fund, on and on it goes. Just where in all of these demands does the believer find a balance? How does God fit into this complicated equation? What does God require of us? After meeting our obligations to family and work, what is left for God? Could it be possible that we have been mislead? Isn't it enough that we try to attend services as often as our hectic schedule will allow? What does God want from us...after all?

Well, first of all, Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. It all starts with what we believe. That is our foundation. If we believe in error, then we will be sorely disappointed. We have a free-will. We can choose what we will believe and reject what we don't want to believe. It's that simple. Jesus commanded us throughout His earthly ministry, "Follow ME." No other conditions, no exemptions for circumstances, simply follow in His footsteps. Secondly, we must decide whether or not we will commit to following Christ. Once committed, there can be no turning back. We cannot try it out and see if we like it or not. There are no refunds, no exchanges. There is nothing easy or free in this life. That includes knowing God. There is nothing we can do to merit God's favor; there is nothing we can materially possess with which to purchase HIS acceptance. For that reason, God paid the price for our redemption for us. All that we have, all that we possess, all that we can offer Him is our heart. All that God requires of us is our obedience.

What started this whole train of thought was a little thing, driving down the street, noticing the bumper stickers on the cars ahead of me. I remembered a time when one of the most popular bumper stickers among the 'church set' was

"GOD IS MY CO-PILOT"

We thought that was just grand, and that we were making a statement to all the others travelers on the roadways. Well, we were, but little did we consider that it was the wrong statement. I didn't comprehend it at that time, but that bumper sticker stated exactly what is wrong with man's approach to becoming Christ-like. The order of things is entirely backwards. We will never do anything for God if we relegate Him to the passenger seat. What that statement infers, is that we can handle most of the driving, but if we get into a jam that we can't handle, we have a back-up, a second-in-command that can take over. And we wonder why we aren't seeing greater manifestations of God in our lives, is it any wonder? We need to adjust our focus, we need to come to understanding of just who is in command here. We certainly are not qualified or competent to be in the pilot seat, while relegating the Creator of all life to an inferior, subordinate position. There is literally a sea of 'self' promotion in our modern world. "Be the best that you can be" is touted from platforms, as if there were actually any innate goodness in man to begin with. Most people are quite happy and satisfied with just a measure of religion, just enough to give them an air of concerned caring for the 'have-not's' of the world, but not enough to be perceived as fanatical, over the top religious nuts. There is an unspoken separation in many people's minds between Church and State. Religious things are for religious settings, and the rest of life is carried out in other arenas [i.e. you don't take your religion to work or school or the office party, etc.]. Because this mindset is predominate and totally socially accepted, even preferred, it is never questioned. One does not seriously consider that God may not be as socially liberated as our peers.

We can have the best of intentions and yet be dead wrong. In this chaotic world, when man is overwhelmed with things he has no control over, do we really want to put our faith and trust in a God that we can manipulate and control? Is that really comforting, to believe in a God that is only love? Man has been creating his own gods since the beginning of time. We all worship something, even atheists believe in something... be it self, or money, or power, everyone has formed their own beliefs. So how does all this apply to the one who believes in Jesus Christ? Who believes in the God of the Bible... the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob? It should help to shake us out of our complacency. It should alert us to the fact that appearances can be deceiving. It should stir in us a hunger to diligently seek the One, True, God, to bring our thoughts, our priorities, our ambitions into alignment with the desires of God's heart.

We can never do this outside of a personal, intimate relationship with HIM. Nothing in this world is an impediment, and can hold us back and prevent us from knowing God, personally. Not our age or gender, not our education or nationality. Not our physical prowess or handicap, nothing can prevent us from coming into right standing with God. Nothing except the exercising of our own free will...our refusal to believe and obey God's commandments... our failure to follow Jesus Christ, not only as our Savior, but as our LORD. So we all choose, whether we will believe and obey God, whether we will come to know Him as He truly is, or whether we will outright reject God, and trust that the things of this physical world are all there is. Or even worse, if possible, that we have the freedom to create a God more suitable to our tastes and desires in our own imagination. Personally, I can't think of a more depressing thought... that this corrupt fallen world should be all there is to life. If that were the case, then exactly what would be the point?

Perhaps you are already of the opinion that this piece is too critical, too harsh, too unloving to possibly be from God...? Do you know what God has said? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

We will have no excuse when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We have the written Word of God... we have the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit to open our understanding of the scriptures. If we are not thoroughly furnished it will not be God's fault, it will be our own. There are more translations of the Holy Bible today than at any time in all of history. Why do you suppose this is? With each translation what God said, becomes a little less demanding, a little less convicting, a little further from God's intent. If you come across a passage of scripture that stings a little, that fails to support a pet doctrine, then all you have to do is to seek out a watered down translation in which the meaning and intent of God has been altered or entirely removed. We will never unravel the mysteries contained in God's Word, by employing multiple translations. The only way to gain understanding is by the active power of the Spirit of Truth.

Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. We have ample opportunity to decide. God is either God of everything, or nothing. Either HIS Word is true, and cannot fail or it is all in vain. Isaiah 42:22-23 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who will hear indeed!

Our focus must be on the Perfect Lamb... the first begotten... Jesus Christ. If we will keep Christ as our hearts desire, we will find the peace that passeth understanding. If we will keep our mind centered on Jesus, we will find the strength to follow Him. In our own strength and wisdom we can never approach a HOLY God. The only way we can be made acceptable to God is by the blood of the perfect lamb. No unclean thing can enter HIS Presence and live. Our primary concern should be that we be found pleasing in HIS sight.

All of our 'good works' have no value, if they are simply done in our carnal strength and understanding. 1Corinthians 3:11-20 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

We have the choice before us... what will we choose? I was forcibly struck with the importance of pleasing God. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And again on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

In the Old Testament we have the testimony of Enoch. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. His requirements of man have not changed. As long as we choose to walk in the power of the flesh, we will fall short and fail in all of our attempts to reach God. If nothing else, I pray that you will see the futility of striving to attain spirituality... by that I mean righteousness, right standing with God... by any means other than the cleansing blood of Christ. We cannot make God our co-pilot and expect to reach our destination. We cannot contrive "works" and "ministries" that God has not charged us to. What is flesh is flesh, and what is spirit is spirit. First, we must diligently seek to know Him, to be found pleasing in His sight. All that we say and do must be under the unction of the Spirit of God. Put away all the backward attempts of religion. We have not been called to be religious; we have been called to be sons of the Most High God. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the imagination of man those things that God has prepared for them that love Him, that keep His commandments and walk in His statutes."

Isaiah 28:12-13 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Will we hear?

Will we believe?

Will we obey?

If we choose to go our own way, to make our own gods, then we can rest assured that we will fall backward, we will be broken, we will be snared, and we will be taken, but not where we would want to go. The way of man has always been to go backward, not forward. When we are obeying the commandments of men, we are walking backward. When we place our trust in anything other than our relationship with God, we can only go backward. When we cleave to our traditions we are looking backward, not forward. When we labor to build material kingdoms, we are working in opposition to God, and shall be judged by God accordingly. Will we hear? Or will we harden our hearts and stiffen our necks and choose our own way? Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

What does the world see today when they look at what is called the Church? Some 33,000 denominations? Divisions? Conflicting beliefs and practices? Religious empires? Self-righteousness, hypocrisy? Is it any wonder that much of the world hates us? Does it surprise us that in many places to call yourself Christian is to invoke a death sentence? Can we comprehend that in attempting to win the world, we have become just like the world? Has it occurred to us that the seven churches Jesus addresses in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, are "our Churches?" The Churches that are operating on the earth when the Lord returns? Do we even believe in the second coming? Have we said with David, Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Is our hearts desire to be found pleasing in God's sight? The Apostle Peter plainly tells us in 1Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

And the Apostle Paul admonishes us...Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

We must seek to know God for ourselves. Christ alone is our sure foundation.

2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

We are living in the darkest of days. Gross spiritual darkness covers this world. Now is the time to keep our eyes on Jesus. Only by walking in the spirit will we be lights in the darkness. These are the days that the prophets of old spoke of. Many longed to see and be part of the work God is doing in this generation. If we don't believe, we will not be able to see the hand of God. If we do believe, we will stand in awe and amazement. Our God is a consuming fire. May we submit to the purging work of the Spirit in our lives... may our hearts cry be to please God... and not man. That all glory, and honor, and praise be unto God alone. May we press in to know Him, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His image.

Amen & Amen!!!

Cathy Morris

11/30/05

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