Does the Power of Christ have enough strength to change a person, and cause them to be changed ?? Yes He does, have that kind of power. Many are living proof of that, including me.
So if Jesus Christ has the power to change people why won't people change when they come to Him ?? One has to wonder if they really came to Him at all, if there is no changed life and a New Creation in Christ, it would seem all they changed is what they say they believe in. That would make them a political type "christian" one who believes they are saved and going to heaven while doing the same exact things as the non saved people they say are the problems of the world.
Luke 14:12-14
12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Ourcountry does this in a way by offering food stamps/ an EBT card to the needy who cannot make it without the help of we the working people chipping in to help feed them. I have no problem helping those less fortunate and in need. But I have to wonder at those "so called christians" who whine and cry about having to help the poor though. I wonder what they will receive in repayment at the time of the resurrection of the just ?? Are they placing hot coals on top of their heads and fanning the flames with the wind of their lips flapping about how righteous they are and how hard they work and if everyone was like them there wouldn't be a problem ?? Hmmmm ??? I'm trying to show those who claim, that helping people is against the Way of God, that they are the ones against God, even if they don't recognize it. So since Christ said to help the poor, and even in the Old Testament the farmers were told to leave the corners for the poor and needy and not to glean the fields. It seems that the government is acting more Christ like than someof the so called churchs who are more worried about birth control than feeding the babies already born . Hmmm, maybe that is part of the Christian Nation thing huh ??
Luke 13:22-30
22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" 24 And He said to them,"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
When Christians strive to enter through the narrow gate. We are believing in Christ, for He is the narrow gate through which we enter into God's Kingdom, as He Himself says. So we should be able to be seen as different from those who seek to travel on the wide path, even in our political and business dealings. When He says many will not be able to enter in, it is because they never knew or accepted Him.
25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open for us, and He will answer and say to you, I do not know you, where you are from, 26 then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets. 27 But He will say, I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.
There will be many who think they have His Salvation because they said a little prayer and asked Him to come into their lives, but really never did anything other than say they believed at that moment. Or they will be the ones who went to church but never received Him, or the ones who joined the cults who think works will please Him, or the ones who listened to lies of the political religions who seek to make merchandise out of men and women, ... But when Christ the Master, of we who willing became His slaves and do His will, closes the door it is closed and no other can open it for you.
28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."
People will be crying and yelling that they belong, there must be some mistake. They will say they are saved by their own works and followed the laws as they were taught. But Christ became the Law as He fulfilled it perfectly, so in Christ we are in His grace, outside of Christ we are subject to the law of perfection and will answer to Him. There will be those who are the gentiles who come to the Kingdom of God through Christ the One His own rejected. They thought they would be first because they had the laws, many Christians still believe that it is Christ and the Law. So their behaviors show them to be legalists and the law condemns them because they cannot keep the law.
But being political they believe they can legislate morality and enforce beliefs through laws. Morality has to come from the heart and mind of a person, that is why I find many atheists to be more morally adherent to treating others the way they wish to be treated, it is a mystery to me why more Christian's don't. Unless it is because they think they are already saved and don't need to treat others well.
Luke 13:1-5
13 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Jesus is speaking of the fact that no-one knows when they will be taken and no-one knows what will happen to them, it is not always the most sinful that things happen too. He is saying the time to repent is now because one never knows what will happen to one. And if one dies without repenting they will perish. Now repenting won't stop things from happening to you, but if they do happen you have already repented in Christ and you do not perish, but go to be with Him.
Luke 12:49-53
49 "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
From The Nelsons Bible Study:
12:49 Fire is an image associated with God's judgment (see Jer. 5:14; 23:29). Jesus' coming brings judgment on those who refuse to accept Him and divides the believers from the faithless. Though Jesus was ready for the judgment of humankind, other things had to happen first (v. 50). I came to send fire:
12:50 As a figure for Jesus' death (see Mark 10:38, 39), baptism in this verse refers to the coming of overflowing waters of divine judgment (see Ps. 18:4, 16; 42:7; 69:1, 2; Is. 8:7, 8; 30:27, 28). Note Jesus' human response to what He recognized as His necessary death.
12:51 Part of Jesus' mission was to create a division within humankind. Other texts of Luke speak of Jesus bringing peace (see 2:14; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5, 6; Acts 10:36; Eph. 2:13). He offers peace to those who respond to Him.
We as Christians should be able to be differentiated from non believers and those who claim Him but don't walk with Him. We are held to a higher standard in Him, as such we should shine as His light and be a beacon of His Way. We have His peace in us and know we are His. That should allow us to be freed from the ties of this world and work for His Way.
Though we may believe in a political parties ideas we know that in the end it is Christ Who is the answer, and the parties begin to seem dull in comparison. In fact they become less and less appealing everyday as we see the lies they both offer and then do the opposite of. Because neither of them are willing to follow Christ, they follow the things of this earth, they insert His Name where it is appropiate for them to gain votes from the political "christians" then deny His Way in the way they govern.
Yes we should be able to discern a difference between a Christian of The Way, and the political "christians" who have tried to take charge of our country and churchs through their political religions.
I hope this made some sense to people. Vote it up if if you enjoyed it or if it gave you some insight.
Comments are welcome, disagreements happen and we all have the right to believe as we will. But don't attack each other.
