What sets those of the Kingdom apart? The same thing Jesus said sets us apart from the many, a change in attitude from worldly to Kingdom. Two opposing natures. Look around. Which one is predominant even within Christianity, where the world takes lead and the Kingdom remains the narrow path least taken?
Some within the body resent reproach, their weak foundations built upon tradition threatened. Why not reproach? Jesus did, both in the Sanhedrin and just as He would no doubt do today in our churches where few pay attention to His Gospel of the Kingdom. Those within Christianity by membership are not infallible. Neither are the doctrines imposed by man. The religion is not infallible. Accused by man, I would be happy here and in front of Him to say I defended the Kingdom over the doctrines and theologies of man. A few short decades ago I would have been burnt for it.
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Some will claim it is a condemnation of Christianity to say that few in our churches pay attention to His Gospel of the Kingdom. Yet many live their lives putting the will of man ahead of the will of God. Even the Christian religion itself rejected the Kingdom and governance of God in order to align itself with the world of man and it's governance. Not a very good example for those claiming to represent the Gospel of the Kingdom by rejecting it. Paul, who is often used as authority to build this worldly church, is spoken of at least three times in scripture where it says he continually taught the Gospel of the Kingdom, not the one attributed to him. Where is the unity? Why the divisiveness in gospels rather than between world and Kingdom?
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Why do some fear people getting back on track and rejecting (both secular and within religion) the governance of man? Let the governance of man do it's thing. We are supposed to be of a different way. As a matter of fact those of the Way were called 'haters of mankind' (Tacitus) for a reason. There are those in defence of ourselves who say Christians do indeed put the will of God ahead of the will of man. They love their families and friends, are hard workers, and love God. Yet Jesus will call a portion of them Lord Lords.
Do Christians see themselves as exemplary people? Certainly they might, until they become worldly or political in nature, returning to the governance of man or the self interest that got us booted from the Garden. Self is not the way of the Kingdom. An example... If Christians who claim one quarter of humanity (down from a third) were focused on division between the world of man and the Kingdom as intended and not divisive over human matters, that splintering movement in many nations would be reduced to much fewer in numbers. Churches might even appear united again in non-political matters and act as an influence over society as it once was. As a result of a proper Gospel, we would be hearing about the ongoing conflict between the world of man and of the Kingdom on the news instead of the tripe we hear now about infighting over human self interest.
I might add that there are those who like to have their ears tickled and they will resent hearing of the Gospel of the Kingdom and it's contrary message of 'world bad-Kingdom good' as it leaves them feeling convicted of their worldly ways and of trying to serve two masters. Reproach. There is no room for their complacency. Better I think, to risk the wrath of their resentment than to not give them an opportunity to see that the blind have led the blind away from the Kingdom back into the world for centuries, and as a result of reproach, give them a chance to repent before it is too late.
Are Christians in general good people? Possibly so, but that is the choir patting the back of the choir, either in their homes or within the religion. God says to love all.
People find it hard to understand the Bible, be it wording or content, simply because of the hypocrisy of man.
©... timothyu
Some within the body resent reproach, their weak foundations built upon tradition threatened. Why not reproach? Jesus did, both in the Sanhedrin and just as He would no doubt do today in our churches where few pay attention to His Gospel of the Kingdom. Those within Christianity by membership are not infallible. Neither are the doctrines imposed by man. The religion is not infallible. Accused by man, I would be happy here and in front of Him to say I defended the Kingdom over the doctrines and theologies of man. A few short decades ago I would have been burnt for it.
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Some will claim it is a condemnation of Christianity to say that few in our churches pay attention to His Gospel of the Kingdom. Yet many live their lives putting the will of man ahead of the will of God. Even the Christian religion itself rejected the Kingdom and governance of God in order to align itself with the world of man and it's governance. Not a very good example for those claiming to represent the Gospel of the Kingdom by rejecting it. Paul, who is often used as authority to build this worldly church, is spoken of at least three times in scripture where it says he continually taught the Gospel of the Kingdom, not the one attributed to him. Where is the unity? Why the divisiveness in gospels rather than between world and Kingdom?
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Why do some fear people getting back on track and rejecting (both secular and within religion) the governance of man? Let the governance of man do it's thing. We are supposed to be of a different way. As a matter of fact those of the Way were called 'haters of mankind' (Tacitus) for a reason. There are those in defence of ourselves who say Christians do indeed put the will of God ahead of the will of man. They love their families and friends, are hard workers, and love God. Yet Jesus will call a portion of them Lord Lords.
Do Christians see themselves as exemplary people? Certainly they might, until they become worldly or political in nature, returning to the governance of man or the self interest that got us booted from the Garden. Self is not the way of the Kingdom. An example... If Christians who claim one quarter of humanity (down from a third) were focused on division between the world of man and the Kingdom as intended and not divisive over human matters, that splintering movement in many nations would be reduced to much fewer in numbers. Churches might even appear united again in non-political matters and act as an influence over society as it once was. As a result of a proper Gospel, we would be hearing about the ongoing conflict between the world of man and of the Kingdom on the news instead of the tripe we hear now about infighting over human self interest.
I might add that there are those who like to have their ears tickled and they will resent hearing of the Gospel of the Kingdom and it's contrary message of 'world bad-Kingdom good' as it leaves them feeling convicted of their worldly ways and of trying to serve two masters. Reproach. There is no room for their complacency. Better I think, to risk the wrath of their resentment than to not give them an opportunity to see that the blind have led the blind away from the Kingdom back into the world for centuries, and as a result of reproach, give them a chance to repent before it is too late.
Are Christians in general good people? Possibly so, but that is the choir patting the back of the choir, either in their homes or within the religion. God says to love all.
People find it hard to understand the Bible, be it wording or content, simply because of the hypocrisy of man.
©... timothyu
