The Apostle Paul & Charlie Hebdo:

Something To Think About, The Apostle Paul & Charlie Hebdo:

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome from the incredibly pagan city of Corinth.  In the second chapter of the book Paul challenges his fellow Jews,"You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?"  (Romans 2:22)  The question appears in the section of Romans in which the Apostle is demonstrating that all are lost, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE." (3:19)  Paul knew well the self-righteousness of many Jews.  He once depended on a brand of "righteousness which is in the law." (Philippians 3:6)  One of the chief tenants of this Jewish, DIY brand of righteousness was freedom from any involvement with idolatry.  Paul's question must have stung. The suggestion that Jews would be involved in robbing temples dedicated to the worship of gods which were no gods at all, was insulting but not unreasonable.  Deuteronomy 7:25 specifically forbids theft from idolatrous temples.  It makes sense.  Often those idols and other paraphernalia of worship were made of gold and other precious substances.  If I can shut down worship that is an insult to the one true God, and at the same time put some precious metal in my portfolio, why not?  For now, just leave it with this:  God says, "DON'T!"   A short time before penning the interrogation in Romans 2, it would appear that Paul and his companions had been accused of robbing temples.  After the riot at Ephesus instigated by those who made their living from the worship of the goddess Diana (or Artimas), Paul's associates were brought before the clerk of Ephesus, the official responded to the crowd's accusations with these words: " . . . you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.” (Acts 19:37)   The worship of the image that had supposedly come down from heaven was not opposed by attacking the idolatrous infrastructure, but by the proclamation of the truth.  (Read Acts 19.) Like many of you, I find a certain sympathy with the Charlie Hebdo satarists.  I'm told that their work is quite vulgar, but when they are attacking a false religion, should I be concerned?  From a political viewpoint I defend their freedom of speech.  Without equivocation I condemn the murder committed in the name of Islam.  However, when it comes to the proclamation of the truth I reject their methods of the satirists.  I want to live my life in such a way that if I am ever accused of attacking those whose religion is a lie, that an honest official would be able to say, "Get out of my office.  What you are saying is false." It's STTA. Here are two article on this subject that I found well worth reading: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2015/01/terrorism-is-wrong-so-is-ridiculing-peoples-faiths/ http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/12/26699?spMailingID=10405660&spUserID=MTMyMjUxNDA3MwS2&spJobID=461351905&spReportId=NDYxMzUxOTA1S0   Here is a site where you can find out about Jesus Christ and His plan for you.  You'll find several opportunities to explore.  If we can help you, let us know.  covingtonbiblechurch.com

Futility

Preparing my Easter Sunday message, I have been very impressed with the futility of much of the Bible.  I don't mean to say that God's Word has no value, purpose, or effect.  No, working on this message, which is made up entirely of Scripture, has powerfully impressed me with the power of the Bible.  The futility I refer to, is the record of man's failed attempts to regain what was lost when sin entered the world.

• Adam and Eve vainly attempted to regain the feeling of innocence they had until they ate the forbidden fruit by making clothing from fig leaves.
• After sin separated us from God, people began, "thinking up foolish ideas about what God was like."  They created a distorted picture, that, of course, led to dead-end religions.
• There were troubling substitutions:  They "exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols."  They "traded the truth about God for a lie." And, "worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself."  Though, in our alienated-from-God condition, we might claim "to be wise, instead [we become] utter fools."

Some of these attempts at redemption are incredibly sincere.  The people of Israel, following the pattern of the people around them, "even sacrificed their sons and their daughters."  Sincerity does not, by itself, produce results.

• A big reason people create distorted, and sometimes gruesome, routes to a warped image of God, is because God has declared that the one true way to the one true God passes through some uncomfortable territory, "Each of you must repent of his sins," and make no mistake,  "everyone has sinned."  "We all fall short of God's glorious standard," and, "the wages of sin is death."  Or as I have put it in other places, "The good news begins with bad news."  Rather than accept that, throughout history people have tried to make up their own way.  It is futile.

There is a link below that takes you to a page that has a great deal of information--both on the page itself, and by way of links--about God's way, The Way, The Only Way.
Don't spend your life in futility.

It's Something to Think About.