The conduct of quite a few of my fellow Christians presents me with a dilemma, a complex series of contradictions. Why not simple? Because people are not simple. Sometimes people oversimplify and sometime people over complicate matters. Usually people do this because they like a preconceived mold they can fit themselves in. Then they can look at themselves with love in the morning mirror and not see a conniving, weak, self rationalising crook! Ghastly words? Yes!
So often what we see is a paradigm shift. Before I go further lets consider what the internet dictionary defines this important word as: "an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way".
Several centuries ago, the typical message from a Christian pulpit was based on fear of "damnation and hell", where the preacher would hope for intimidation to help his little flock to repent. Over time, people got tired of this, and decided to do their "own thing", they searched the Bible for themselves and found that the message was able to be interpreted according to their own feelings. Many of these noble men and women started their own congregations or movements in circumstances of great opposition from the existing order. Some of these people were murdered. All of these people who were "new" leaders seemed to sincerely claim that they were directed by the Holy Spirit whereas their opponents claimed that they were seduced by the cunning whiles of the Devil.
So many different methods and different churches available in Christianity today.
To my mind the greatest problem that many of us Christians face today is integrity. Promises are made in the moment where we are going to do this and stop doing that, etc etc. How their lives have changed 180 degrees. The "Old" person is gone and there is only a "new" person.
There are those who believe that salvation comes in an instant, from even a mere profession of lips. That at that exact moment in time, their destiny is locked. Nothing or no-one can prevent their arrival at their Destination of Glory. It is almost like they have something similar to the Monopoly card "get out of jail free". It can even be considered a "licence to commit sin".
In Medieval times, did the same thing existed in the concept of indulgences? Actually indulgences were not intended for future sins but for past sins committed. It is complex and I want to be fair in my simplistic assessment. It led to a huge upheaval and the breaking off of many Protestant movements when financial gain was the driving motive for "indulgences".
This concept of covering of sins without repentance and remorseful suffering, has been sought for through the Ages.
A very troubling movement that emerged shortly after the death of Christ is found in the Book of Revelations. In the second chapter of that book, we find mention of an obscure grouping of people. Look at verse 6:
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Then a few verses later in the same chapter:
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth
So here we see a greater expansion of the earlier verse 6.
Much is elaborated upon this by various scholars. The reference to Balaam is that it is a stumbling block to the children of Israel, just like the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. God hated this doctrine. So what was it? Sexual impurity weakened the Israelites until they were punished. The wicked prophet Balaam told the Moabite king Balak how to tempt the Israelite soldiers into sin. So too the Nicolaitans were weakening the followers of Christ into committing sexual sins.
But there was much more to this group of Nicolaitans. Lets look at some facts.
Some scholars believe that the Nicolaitans were prepared to continue their sexual transgressions because the suffering of Christ had already paid the price for their sins. They were thought to have excused their sins and seemed to have no intention of stopping them, as a proper understanding of repentance would require. They still believed that salvation was theirs as they had joined the Church of Jesus Christ.
The Saviour even uses the strong word "hate". He also demands a speedy repentance from the culprits.
So we come to our modern times. In our time, the term "relativism" dominates. Simply put, "everyone can do their own thing". These worldly philosophies are all around us. It is tempting to weaken and be the same as our society in general.
So what about the Christian who believes that they are saved, despite all that they may be doing that is wrong? They claim that they are new creatures in Christ, but very little has changed in terms of their daily conduct? Are they not like the Nicolaitans who thought they had a licence to commit sin? I wonder. Are they confused about Grace?
How well do we compare to the ancient saints at the time of Christ's mortal ministry? They were prepared to die as martyrs because they were not prepared to compromise their values and conduct. Yet so many of us just live, doing as we please, thinking that salvation is ours, regardless of daily conduct.
Can God be so inconsistent through the Ages of time? I think not. Some folks are going to get a nasty surprise.
In the 7th chapter of Matthew, the Saviour, Jesus Christ, when teaching about talents and natural fruits of life, includes the following snippet:
21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So this section should be of concern to all who profess themselves to be Christian. Later in chapter 25 of the same book of Matthew we read a passage that links in to the above quite well.
31 ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
It is clear that Jesus Christ requires obedience and good deeds. The Saviour knew of Grace, after all He provided it to us, yet lip service and profession of faithful belief are not enough. The Saviour knows that the paltry efforts of man in seeking salvation are ineffective, yet he demands obedience and living a good life.
Can I say that TRYING to live a good life, activates the essential power of GRACE? Too many rely on the words of Paul in Romans only, and ignore the words of Christ. Was not Paul a devout follower of Christ? How can so many "Christians" prefer Paul to Christ? Why not try "fit" Paul's words into Christ's words than the other way around? Paul was a man, Christ is the Son of God. Make no mistake, Paul is a man that I have a tremendous admiration for.
So for me, I know whose words form the basis of my living, not a man but rather the words of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
