The Cancer of Unforgiveness

The Unforgiving Servant. I don't know if it is because I have lived over 56 years on this planet or if it has more to do with my personality. More than likely it is a combination of both that have brought me to this latest consideration. Once again, I find myself at the receiving end of anger and bitterness from someone I trusted and loved. My first reaction is one of justice. I begin to list all of the reasons I should be angry and all of the reasons this person should be repentant, and like most, I begin to puff myself up and become hard. You see, it is a natural human defense strategy; the action we tend to take when we feel attacked or violated. The reality is we humans don't like to be wrong or wronged, yet both actions are taking place on a rather consistent basis in the lives of most people. Now, for the sake of discussion, I am writing this from the perspective of a believer, as one who, biblically speaking, has little or no right to be offended, especially by another brother or sister in Christ. This morning I was reading in Matthew 18:21–35, the parable of the unforgiving servant. As the story goes, a man owed great debt to a king. The king, in doing what he had the right to do, was planning on having the man, his wife, and children sold into slavery to pay the debt, something he had every legal right to do. The man who owed the debt pleaded for mercy, and as the king had compassion, he forgave the man the debt. This man did not only receive compassion he did not deserve, but his debt was paid in full. He was forgiven because the king valued the man and his family more than he valued justice and money. The man whose debt was forgiven, however, did not learn from this lesson, and he began to deal harshly and not have compassion on those who owed him. He beat them, threatened them, and threw them in prison. He valued what he felt he was owed more than the people—he had no compassion. The king, hearing the news, took the man into custody and tortured until he paid what he owed. I read this and think of how many times I myself, being forgiven of all of my indebtedness to the Lord, have forgotten His grace and mercy and attacked others who have offended or attacked me. Am I suddenly placing a lower value upon man than my own feelings, reputation, monies, my pride, and more? Did not God send His Son Jesus to pay the greatest price for all mankind? The answer, of course, is yes, and when we devalue people by holding grudges, making judgments, listening to gossip, making assumptions, judging intentions of the heart, are we not the same as this unforgiving man of whom Jesus spoke? This section of Scripture ends with these words of warning to us: "So my Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." When the Lord makes a promise, He keeps it. His words never change, and His promises are true. The reality is, when we fail to have compassion on those we feel have offended us or owe us a debt, we are promised that God will do the same to us! Yes, I struggle with forgiveness at times. I struggle with people who barely know me making assumptions. I struggle with unfounded accusations about my integrity. I struggle with people taking my words out of context. I struggle with being misunderstood. I struggle with hanging on to my righteous indignation for wrongs done to my family or me. Need I go on? Yes, these and more are things most of us struggle with at one time or another in our lives; we are not alone in our battle with the flesh. The answer to this challenge, while sounding simplistic, is far more difficult in action. If you're on the giving end of an offense, ask forgiveness; if on the receiving end, forgive and move on. Yes, maybe you need to talk it through, but when doing so remember the intention is not to be right or justified—it is for the relationship to be restored! Let me end with these final questions. Truly, why are you angry? Can you not trust God to bring righteous judgment? Does God need your help correcting anyone else? What if you were in their position? And lastly, maybe you should pray for your offender, could be they have been deceived into believing a lie, and maybe, just maybe, they need Jesus too. Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Navarre

Time Rolls On

As with those who have gone before us, we live in new and changing times: days that are not as yesterday and will tomorrow be new—days of change. Since the beginning of time, man has been in an ever-progressive forward motion toward reunification with our creator. In the times when we have turned away, even the smallest remnant, He has intervened and turned us back, back to a place of forward motion toward eternity with Him. As with any journey, there is an end: a completed state in the human condition that end is either departure from this world or the meeting of Christ face-to-face at His return. Up until recent times, the chances of one seeing the return of Christ were slim at best. The world was simply not in the state of immorality and decay that the Bible predicts before the return of our Savior. However, today, at ever increasing speed, we rush toward that day: the day Christ returns for His bride. The reality is that He could return any day now. No, I am making no predictions nor will I ever regarding knowing the time or day of His return. I will, however, point you to the Scriptures and allow them to speak for themselves as they reveal the time of His return. In Matthew 24:36–44, Jesus describes the condition of the world prior to His return. Study of this and related passages, better known as eschatology, will reveal that we are, indeed, for the first time ever, at a place in time where the conditions of His return are daily being met and reinforced. This is an exciting time for those who truly believe, a fearful time for those who profess belief yet have not separated themselves from the world, and for those who do not believe, there are daily fewer rules and barriers for their morality. The decline of mankind's moral boundaries can easily be compared to those of the times of Noah, and compromise and tolerance have become the most dangerous words and actions of our time. The foundational truths of our nation have eroded to the point that so few know the truth they have simply accepted the most popular believe as truth. As I look upon the past, the fallen kingdoms and defeated nations, the reality is truly quite clear, this reality that mankind, left unchecked, will inevitably destroy itself through the need for immediate gratification, satisfaction, power, and pleasure. Are we there again today? You be the judge. Ponder these things and arrive at your own answer. Abortion: Every day there are an average of 3,288 abortions, or babies murdered. What is a baby? A baby is the product of sexual union between a man and a woman. An abortion, or murder of a child, is the result (more often than not) of two people who have broken God's moral laws and produced life; life they do not want to be responsible for. The result—murder! This practice is no longer called murder in the United States and is more accepted than not, and the realm of influence and accessibility is growing daily. Does this sound godly? Gay marriage: The practice of homosexuality in the U.S., while clearly defined in the Bible as being sinful and unnatural behavior, is now even being accepted in many denominations. Does God change His mind? I think not. Pornography: The porn industry will generate just over $13 billion dollars in revenue this year in the United States of America alone. The sanctity of marriage and monogamous relationships cannot coexist in a home where pornography is allowed. One or the other of the partners will always feel violated or unable to satisfy their partner. Married men and women involved in pornography are robbing their spouses of true intimacy; a practice that will lead to some form of separation. Does this sound like a moral practice, something acceptable to God? Sexual slavery: The lure for elicit sexual gratification has led to the abduction of an estimated 300,000 teens in America for use in the $9.5 billion-dollar-per-year U.S. sex trade, let alone in the world where there have been an estimated 24 million people abducted for sexual slavery! Does this sound like a nation or world based upon the moral statutes of a Holy God? I choose not to go on today; after all, who can stand more depressing news than this in one day? The reality and my reason for writing is this: wake up, America! You cannot see the coming of the Lord if your head is stuck in the sand! If we are looking up, we are looking unto our God whose return is and must be soon. What will you say when all done in the dark is exposed? What argument will you offer to a Holy God for your acceptance and endorsement of the sins of mankind? You say you don't endorse sin? I say if you speak not against something when asked, then you speak for it. Folks, we have at our fingertips the cure for this insanity. We have the truth of the blood of the Lamb, slain for our sins and transgressions—the Redeemer of all mankind. We must stand up for the truth and spread the truth in love, the truth that "Jesus Paid the Price." His death and resurrection are our only hope, and He is coming soon! Pastor Gene Burroughs, Author, "Jesus Paid the Price"

What Happened To Black and White

As age creeps up on me, and I gain in years, I would like to think I am also gaining in knowledge. This knowledge obtained not so much in the reading of great works, but rather gained from walking out the experiences and challenges of life, while increasing knowledge. The understanding one gains from time spent on earth can never be compared to the knowledge obtained by greater learning, and the two, hand-in-hand I believe, lead to wisdom. Wisdom seems to have become something that has waned in value, at least in the eyes of today's information-aged culture. Wisdom has been replaced with information, and information can be a very dangerous and misleading thing if left untethered by the balance of experience. My grandpa was so very correct when he told me, "If you have knowledge without common sense, you may be smart, but you can't do anything with it." While this statement is not all true, it does bear enough truth to be taken seriously. In this age of information, so much of what we are being fed is based upon opinion, theory, or rhetoric, yet because we have no experience with which to weigh out this information, we react without wisdom. Those who have grown up with technology and information so close at hand are being fed information that is largely subjective and often untrue, and yet they have no idea that this is the case. We often respond to theory, opinion, and conjecture with the same fervency with which it was shared with us; we run and react believing in our cause, yet we don't realize the negative effect of that cause until it's too late. And as seems to be the case more often than not, before the true results and effects of these actions are realized, we have moved on to another passionate subject and are not the least bit concerned about the trail of damage left behind. In most cases, I believe we are not even made aware of these damages due to the misdirection of the information being fed to us. This age of technology has created the perfect avenue for the enemy of God and man to deceive more people than he ever has before, and he is now able to do so almost instantaneously. This constant misdirection and deception creates a constant view of gray with few boundaries of black and white. What do I mean, you ask? In the pre instant and social media age, there was a definitive line between right and wrong. These lines were defined by long-term experiences that had seen, with time, the positive and negative results of actions. Immediate gratification, for example, was something our parents and grandparents truly understood the danger of. For example, my grandparents didn't have credit cards because they understood that unless you could purchase something other than major necessary purchases, such as a home or vehicle, with cash, you could not afford it. The practice was to save your money up until you could afford the item you desired, and often, by the time you saved the money, you realized it was not at all what you wanted. Now we purchase things on credit and whims, and if we decide we don't like them or if we find something better, we simply throw them away. Much like items we no longer have use for, we have begun to throw away our values, principles, morality, and more. Why? Because these values, principles, and morality no longer serve our desire for instant gratification—they don't work for us, so out they go. Therefore, as opposed to morality setting the standard, our standard is now determined by need, desire, popularity, and even profitability. Wisdom is now no longer appreciated or needed. It has instead become the old way of thinking; the place we say we are no longer at and the thing we no longer have a need of. My conclusion is this. We must return to moral- and wisdom-based thinking. We must look for the black and the white in life for our standards. We must have truth to base all of our actions and reactions upon; otherwise, truth becomes subjective and inconsequential; useless and thrown aside. Folks, the Bible is the truth, and if you are a true believer in Christ, this fact should never be denied; otherwise, you are like the man who built his home on shifting sand—foolish. If we do not return to the foundation of our beliefs as true believers in Christ, we will fall, and we will fail. We must begin to question our own beliefs, our own actions. We must weigh that which has been accepted against the scales of God's Word, and when we find our error, we must repent and turn away from those beliefs and their consequent actions. You may choose not to agree with me, and that is your freedom; however, not agreeing with the truth does not change the truth; it is rather simply being ignored until such time that truth will no longer be silent. Are you ready to face the truth? Gene Burroughs, Navarre, FL, Author, "Jesus Paid the Price"

Have We Turned Away?

There is a very familiar and often-quoted scripture in 2 Chronicles 7 I would like further to explore in this writing. Its relevance for today is overwhelming, and the message could not, I believe, be more timely. The people of God (the Israelites) had turned from obedience; they had purposed to do things their own way and rebel against God's authority and direction. Solomon, the king at the time, was visited by the Lord to warn him of the coming calamity because of the rebellion of the people. God promised to reward this wickedness with drought, pestilence, and famine, and that locusts would devour the crops. The Lord, in this very famous passage, did what He does so often and so patiently to rebellious people—He gave them an out, a cure for what was about to ail them. In verse 14, immediately following His judgment, He offers these words: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Before we go on, let me just say, yes, I know the argument that this passage was for a particular people at a given time; however, may I refer you to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and is it not the very same message? You see, God is making a promise to Solomon, the same promise He has made to all men. He is saying that when we, as men and women of God, children of the King, turn away and purpose to deny His truths and His Lordship, He will not abandon nor forsake us; He will give us a reprieve. The Lord is not assuming that the people will turn away; He knows our human nature, and He knows we will turn away, especially when times are good and we have no need of Him and His protection or provision. However, when times are rough, and we have need of Him, He will be there, conditionally yes, but He will be there, and He will hear our prayers, and He will restore us! Reading this passage and taking the actions God lays out for us will always result in a response from heaven. Why? Because the God of all creation loves His people more than anyone or any entity ever could, and the depth of that love is far beyond anything we could imagine. The steps to this reconciliation are quite clear. First, we must humble ourselves. The proper Hebrew word for humble here is kana, which means to bend the knee, bring down, bring low, bring into subjection, bring under, humble self, to subdue. The first action we must take for restoration and blessing is to surrender ourselves in all humility to the lordship of God now through Jesus Christ. We must admit to ourselves, others, and to our God that we need Him, that He is God and we are not, that we need and desire His lordship, and that we are completely surrendered to His will and will deny our own! Next, we are told to pray, or again in the Hebrew language, palal, or to intercede, make prayer, to make supplication. Prayer is the connection of man's mind and heart to the very being of God. We are to first acknowledge His power and authority and then recognize it through prayer, seeking that which we cannot attain upon our own. God wants to hear the desires of our heart. He desires to provide for us and bless us, again further confirmation of His great love for His people. Lastly, we are told to "turn from our wicked ways" or to repent. This word "wicked" is derived from the Hebrew word ra', which means evil, adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, displease, distress, hurtful, mischief, vexed, sorrowful, and much more, but you get the point. Therefore, in order to fully achieve forgiveness and the blessings of God, we, as God's people, are called to humble ourselves by submitting to His lordship, cry out to Him for salvation from calamity and repent, or turn away from evil. Is it I, or does this sound rather simplistic? The crazy thing is God has since given us even more blessing by now sending Jesus as payment for our sins and wickedness so that when we now repent, we are immediately under the receiving end of God's blessings; we need not make any further sacrifice! Why do I write this? Simply because God has called me to this very morning, because obviously He has someone or some people who need to hear this message, this message of the gospel, this message for the restoration and blessing for men and nations. This is the prescription for the healing of peoples and lands, and today we need healing. May we now repent and turn away, and, once again, be blessed by the God of all creation. Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Ministries, Navarre, FL

STILL ONE NATION UNDER GOD

Over the past few weeks, I have been extremely mindful of the countless sacrifices men and women have made over the history of this great nation—those who began the taming of this land to the Pilgrims, who, at such great cost (many at all costs), and came to form a new nation. That nation is ours, a nation founded upon freedom from tyranny and freedom of religion, freedom to worship the God of their choosing—the God of Abraham and Isaac—the One who sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem all men unto Himself. I think of how they chose to allow the freedom of religion for all men in this nation and to allow men to choose for themselves the god of their choice, even the ability to serve and believe in no god. They made this choice because they knew and understood the tyranny of forcing a people to worship one god one way and because they desired to be and remain free, for all men to choose whom they served. They placed within our very constitution that right of choice, along with many other freedoms of choice. These leaders, in their wisdom, knew there was only one supreme God, and in an effort to encourage all men to know the truth, they based the very foundation of this nation upon that truth—the truth of His existence and supreme moral authority. We are a nation founded upon the belief of the Ten Commandments; the moral statutes laid out so clearly in the Bible. Argue this truth as you may; you will find no truth to support it, only conjecture, theory, and lies created to change the truth, yet this is not the reason for my writing today. I write today as a man who is more than concerned for this nation, this nation of free people who are daily losing and giving away these hard-fought freedoms, these freedoms that cost so many all they had. It is as if we have decided we no longer desire to be free men, but rather we desire to be governed and controlled. It is as if we, as individuals, have determined that the cost of freedom has become too costly; that we are in a battle that can be fought by others, yet we have lost the desire to fight it ourselves. We have become an extremely selfish people, people who desire what we want, when we want it, and we don't care what it costs or whom we harm to achieve our momentary satisfaction. We have become people of pleasure rather than people of purpose and conviction. The moral absolutes we were founded upon are now not accepted by most, and those responsible for keeping the truth have acquiesced in fear or persuasion: fear of offending, fear of financial loss, fear of being judged, and more—all in fear. Our fear of man has overcome our fear of God, and any nation that fears man more than it fears God is a nation doomed to self-destruction; a fact proven over and over again historically. Our nation of freedom in the name of freedom has become a nation of ever-tightening restrictions with freedoms daily being given over to leaders who have, in fact, turned away from our very foundation and the moral absolutes of our founding principles. In the name of freedom, activists have created laws that restrict the freedoms of those who do not agree with them. Fines and punishments are now being levied at an ever increasing and alarming rate, all in the name of freedom, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Children who once played with toy guns are removed from schools for pointing fingers. The reading of the Bible has been forbidden in many classrooms, and those who profess Christ are being ridiculed in many greater learning institutions. In schools, couples in biblically moral relationships are not allowed to make public displays of affection yet homosexuals are protected under the law of man from being prevented from doing so. Those who discipline their children for misbehavior are jailed and their children often removed from the home. Yet if they had killed them before their birth, they would have been praised by the very same agency that condemns their right to raise those children as they see fit (no, I am not condoning child abuse). We are forced to support a government agenda through the guise of healthcare reform, and the control of and responsibility for our own health-related actions are now no longer our responsibility or right. We cannot support our own people, those who have worked and sacrificed to be citizens of this great nation, and yet we allow illegal aliens to flood our borders all in the name of humanity. They speak not our language, take the jobs from our own citizens, and burden our healthcare and social systems. The reason, no, it is not for humanity, but rather for power, the power to cast a vote, the vote to further the agenda of those who have brought us to this very place of sacrificing our freedoms. We are not unique; we are not so wise. No, we are simply repeating the actions of those before us: those founded upon God, and we have failed to learn. The book of Judges tells the story of the Israelites, God's chosen people, how they were to start a new life and conquer new lands, how they were to obey God and live in peace, and they too rebelled. They lost their freedoms, and they too have suffered the consequences. As a nation, they now thrive and have the blessing of God upon them, along with the hatred of most men. Why? They have the blessing because they have and continue to repent and turn back to God; they have the hatred because they are the chosen people of God. You see, the reality is that the love and acceptance of man is not a blessing. It is not a sign of moral or Spiritual success; no, it is most often a sign of the opposite—compromise! I am not saying that all pastors and leaders of big churches are the results of compromise; however, unless I see the power of God, it does raise the question (2 Timothy 3:5). You see, our message, the true message of the Word of God, is not accepted. Why? Because it is a message that requires a moral standard, one that requires sacrifice, denial of desires, and repentance; everything we desire is not all good! In Revelation 3, Jesus writes to the church of Laodicea and says to them these telling words regarding morality: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." He then goes on to say this: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." Folks, whether you desire to believe it or not, being a Christian comes with requirements, absolutes, realities, things accepted and things not accepted. Galatians 5 gives a very readable list of things accepted and those things not accepted, and there are plenty more. This is not a call to judgment; this is a call to repentance! If you feel angry or anxious, maybe, just maybe, it is the Holy Spirit convicting you, and rather than being mad at me you should repent, for I am not convicting you, He is. So what does this have to do with our great nation? Let me say this. God knows no party lines. He loves and died for our president, for every crooked businessman and politician; He died for all mankind, and He loves all mankind. Therefore, the real issue is with us. We must repent, we must turn away, and we must stand up and be whom God has called us to be. Our freedoms are being taken away not by men but by a spirit that hates God, the spirit that hates men, all men! The devil does not love anyone but himself, and he has fooled far too many already. Men and women of God, the Lord is true and faithful and He never changes, and He has promised us this very thing: "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). Here is the hope we all seek. It is not a new president that we must hope for; it is rather a president who has given himself over to Christ. It is not a new congress, senate, or house; it is not a new Supreme Court; it is a revival we must seek, a turning away from sin by all of these and more; then and only then will we see "One Nation Under God" again. It all begins with you and me, no hype, no conjuring, no great music or messages, simply repentance in our hearts and prayer for the revelation of God in men. This is the power of God! Gene Burroughs, Navarre, FL, Author, "Jesus Paid the Price"

A New Day Dawns

While there are many things every human being has in common with every other like being in this planet revolving around the sun, there is one, in particular, we must do each and every day—we must each and every one of us face the dawn of day. With the arrival of the sun upon the morning horizon, knowingly or unknowingly, purposely or without thought, we make many crucial decisions in the early moments of the day that will, at the very least, set into motion events that shape the day to come; possibly many more. Do we take the time to choose this course of action, or do we simply allow life to unfold as it wills, being randomly influenced by decisions or lack thereof by others inhabiting this third rock? I ponder this question today while in my own quandary of thought. I realized that while I may have awakened with a particular desire, I was not necessarily committed to taking every action needed to ensure that this day was the day I, and possibly God, purposed it to be. While we awake with certain hopes and dreams, we all too often allow the actions or lack thereof of others to alter our course and plan, and other than those rare occasions of unforeseen trauma or tragedy, we have no one to blame but ourselves. In my decades of walking with the Lord and having faced more new days in my past than I will in my future, I have begun to realize the preciousness of every new day. With this comes the need to stop looking at the circumstances surrounding me: the need to stop running scenarios, but rather to look upon and to the promises God has given me, and all of us, in His Word. These promises, which are not subject to circumstance, whim, emotions, desires, or any other worldly influence, are today what they were the day they were spoken into existence. They never change. As believers, they are and must be our foundation: the rock upon which we build all else. What are these truths, you ask? There are far too many to list; the Bible is full of them, and they're there for the finding. I believe you can find a promise for every situation you face—every challenge, every need, every want, and every desire. Promises that bring hope to the hopeless: Titus 1:2, "in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began." Promises that bring strength to the weak: Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Promises that bring comfort to the fearful: Romans 8:38–39, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, no things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." And this promise, which we all at one time or another need as we face the reality of provision or lack thereof: Matthew 6:25–34, where we are instructed "do not worry" because our God will care for us, and we are reassured that He knows our needs, and He will meet every one of them. You see, it is these promises, and again so many more, which we must remind ourselves of at the dawn of every new day; that is if we desire to determine the path we are to walk. Forgetting to be reminded of and standing upon these promises will cause us to bounce from one crisis or challenge to another, much like a ball in a pinball game. We were not created to bounce to and fro by every whim and influence. No, we were created to stand strong in the promises of God, not to be influenced by circumstance, but rather to influence the world and the people in it with His truths. May I encourage you today, lay hold of the promises of God, lay hold of the truth, and walk in the freedom of who you are in and because of Jesus Christ. Let go of the lies and deception of the enemy; remove the chains of guilt, shame, fear, and doubt. Change your world; change the world—you have that power within you! Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Ministries, Navarre, FL www.missiodeinavarre.org

My Heart Aches

My heart aches today. It aches for a nation, for a people who once loved God; a people who once trusted the God of all creation and surrendered to His will—people who once believed. My heart grieves for our president and leaders of this great nation who have rejected the love of God; who have rejected His Lordship. My grief and frustration does not lie so much with them as it does with those of us who believe and who have sat on the sidelines and not spoken the truth in love: Christian leaders who have watered down the gospel and the Word, which has all come at such a great cost to so many, and for what purpose?—and those who proclaim belief, yet are wolves in sheep's clothing leading people astray, doing ungodly works in the name of a Holy God. I am frustrated with myself for falling into the trap of complacency, the trap that keeps me focused on my world while neglecting the people and the purpose God has called us to: "the making of disciples." "To those who have filled their purses in the name of the Lord, you have your reward." You who have used the name of God for your own personal and selfish gain, "you have your reward." For those who have sought the glory for themselves, repent. Now is the time to repent. Repentance begins with us leaders, true repentance, and a true anguish over our nation and the sin we have allowed to become accepted even in the church. We must repent for filling our purses and for receiving the glory and honor due only to God—repentance for looking to man for the glory. We need repentance for neglecting the orphans and widows, the downtrodden, the lost and broken, and repentance for not loving the sheep enough to protect them from the wolves; repentance for fear of man, repentance for hypocrisy, repentance for sin. Revival, true revival, can only come through true repentance. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). The prescription is simple: seek God. Repent and turn away, and then our God will restore us and not until then. It begins with me—it begins with you, and so on. May it begin today! Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Navarre

Religion or Salvation

“Religion and salvation are two different things, each with their own reward.” “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:11–12). In the midst of a Scripture that shows “great faith,” we find this small passage with great meaning and very prophetic in nature. Jesus has already addressed and reminded us of the importance of faith with the centurion as a shining example, and in the midst of this dialog with the centurion He throws in a very important warning. You see, “the sons of the kingdom” is referring to those who are religious: those who, by birth or study, have been exposed to the law of God. He is speaking directly to those people who have a religious spirit when He says, ‘here is a man of great faith,’ and for those without faith, there will be eternally painful consequence. Have you ever heard someone say something like this: “If God is a God of love, why does He send people to hell?” Many people have taken the stand there cannot be a God of love who would create a place for people to die and spend eternity in suffering. However, what we, as the church, have neglected to tell the world is God did not create hell for mankind. He created it for the fallen angels: the demonic beings and all those who fell from heaven in direct and utter disobedience to God. However, by their own choice, many will join them there. God loves us enough to give us free will, and if we end up in hell, it is truly because we have chosen to be there, not because God wanted us to suffer. Far too many for far too long have used the threat of hell to scare people into salvation, which in turn has led to far too many people seeking fire insurance as opposed to redemption. What’s the difference, you ask? Fire insurance is not worth the paper it’s written on. It requires no change in behavior, no obedience, and no ongoing relationship with our creator. Redemption, on the other hand, allows us to be reconciled to God, to hear His voice, to obey His commands, and when we fail, we are redeemed once again upon repentance. One is religion and the other is relationship; both carry a completely opposite reward, each lasting for eternity. For those who refuse to accept the gift of redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, no amount of good works or sanctification by others, such as priests, will bring them the reward of heaven. Let us not forget, as well, the reward of life on earth directed by the Holy Spirit for those who believe. I had a friend at one time who was a Jehovah’s Witness. I can remember, in one of our many discussions of Jesus, my friend asking me how I knew the voice I heard was not from satan, because the voice he heard told him he was believing rightly. The only answer I could give him was the truth as I knew it to be. The Word of God commanded my unconditional belief in Jesus for my salvation, and Jesus was the One who described the gift of the coming helper; therefore, the voice he hears cannot be from one whom he does not believe in. Needless to say, the subject was changed, but the point remains: without Jesus Christ there is no salvation, and nothing else is needed. † Father, help us to stay focused upon the truth, to avoid confusion, and to test all things by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.