23. May 2010 by PawBill.

Is the term “Christianity” now becoming a “negative label” to be used by political supporters of big government to marginalize religious Americans who will not partake and fellowship at the government trough?”  You hear it more and more often: Christians are homophobic hate mongers and bigots who are arrogant in their belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.

“Yes,” is the answer to the question asked above.  Christianity is under attack, but do not despair.  The “True Christian” will prevail though persecuted and condemned.  Those who have not accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ—His death, burial and resurrection—will one day bow and confess Jesus Christ is Lord, see Philippians 2:10-11.

My statements and beliefs may appear to be arrogant, but what difference does it make to anyone who does not believe in the Trinity of God.  Non-believers in the Trinity have their own god or gods, their own heaven and perhaps, their own hell. Compare if you will, the Gospel message of Jesus Christ recorded in the Bible and the message of Allah recorded in the Koran.  You will find two opposing theologies—one a message of love and the other a message of hate.

Whether I am allowed by the government to express my freedom of religion or speech in the future, my allegiance will always be to Jesus Christ, and I will follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in what I say and in what I write. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am not trying to convert anyone or to condemn anyone; only the Trinity can convict, convert and save.  I am simply a follower of Jesus.

Peter in his second epistle, 2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV, urged those who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ to add to their faith. How can anyone find fault with the “True Christians” belief in love for their fellow man and not hatred when they include in their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love? As Peter wrote in his epistle: 

• “… add to your faith goodness; (Try to be a good person.)
• and to goodness, knowledge; (Listen for God’s instructions. Learn the ways and truth of the Trinity.)
• and to knowledge, self-control;  (Forsake worldly, personal desires. “For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:16-17)
• and to self-control, perseverance; (Be patient and do not run ahead of God’s instructions. Never give up on your faith or give in to the human desires of the flesh)
• and to perseverance, godliness; (Develop your character, integrity and conduct; embrace your faith and live it by loving others as God and Jesus Christ loves you. )
• And to godliness, brotherly kindness; (“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NIV)
• and to brotherly kindness, love. (“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”  1 John 3:17 NIV)

  The message of Jesus Christ is love, not hate.  You find love in True Christianity, but not in fake or false Christianity.  In the days to come an increase in hatred toward the true followers of Jesus Christ will be promoted by those with an Antichrist spirit.  “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.  These are men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” Jude verses 18-19 NIV.

You will also find in 2 Peter 3:3-4 this reference to Jesus Christ’s second coming: “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?”

Do not be deceived by the rhetoric and political correctness being espoused by those who deny the Trinity. The more you embrace and practice the love taught by Jesus Christ and His disciples, the more you will grow spiritually and become fruitful and useful to Him.  God delivered you from sin and bondage so that you might live with and for Him.

Give Jesus a chance.  You soul and spirit is worth saving from the “damnation of the world” that is soon to come.

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

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23. May 2010 by PawBill.

Just as “Things Go Better With Coke,” Christianity goes better with Jesus Christ.  If a Christian church denomination does not have Jesus, the church is a fake and distorts “Christianity” as taught in the biblical scriptures.

”True Christianity” is a rarity.  Only those (individuals and denominations) who believe in the Trinity, the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, and the only pathway to heaven is through Jesus Christ can legitimately call themselves True Christians. Anyone without this belief and who refuse to repent and allow the Holy Spirit to correct their misunderstanding is an Antichrist.  Read 1^st and 2^nd John for additional insight.

The True Christian has been silent too long.  It is time to speak out.  It is time to become a Jihadist for Jesus.  A Jihadist not in the same spirit as practiced in the Muslim religion with its emphasis on violence against infidels who will not convert to Islam and confess Allah, but a Jihadist in the sense of being fervently dedicated to promoting the love and compassion of Jesus Christ through non-violence with a spirit of humility and love.

Do you understand the difference between love and hate?  Does you religion promote love or hate? Do you know what True Christianity is all about?

The True Christian “loves their fellow sinners but denounces sin.”  After all, we are all sinners as written by Paul in Romans3: 23-24, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

God knows the truth and stands ready to reveal it to you.  Will you allow Him?

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

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21. May 2010 by PawBill.

I take sabbaticals from the Internet frequently, and no one seems to care.  I came to this conclusion after my last hiatus from blogging that lasted approximately two months, and no one called or emailed to see if anything was wrong.   It does not bother me, but it does provide me with an answer to the old bluegrass song lyric, “Will you miss me when I’m gone.”  The answer is obviously, “NO.”

In jest I use to be fond of saying, “I was your friend when no one else would have anything to do with you.  Now, they will not have anything to do with me—So much for being your friend.”  Befriending those who seemingly have no friends is my calling.  They say you have to be a friend in order to have a friend, but apparently my attempts at friendship leave a lot to be desired.  I even wrote a poem about friendship; it is posted on this Blog.

Everyone needs at least one human friend.  As the old joke goes, “Lock both your wife (or girl friend) and your dog in the trunk of your car and see which one is glad to see you when you open the trunk door.”  I find humor in this joke but after all, I’m “just a man.” Most women do not see it as humorous but then, they are the blunt of the joke, so to speak.

What about you and your friends?  If you have true friends, that’s great.  If not, let me suggest you make Jesus your friend.  He will be your friend when no one else will.  He promises to never leave those who love Him.  Try to hear His voice as you sing or just recite the words to the old church hymn,  “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” written years ago but now no longer considered sophisticated enough to sing in most large, upscale Christian churches.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Words, Joseph Scriven, 1855, Tune Converse, Charles C. Converse, 1868 

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! 

If you are lonely and feel forsaken, reach out to God in prayer.  He will not forsake you, and He will give you peace and comfort.

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

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