Post by Les Brewer on Apr 4, 2012 8:14:54 GMT
Calvary's Cross Ministries
Preaching Christ Crucified,I Cor.1:18-25
From the Pastor's desk and heart...
Matthew 10:36-39 says,
"...and a man's enemies will be those of his own household.He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.And who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.He who finds his life shall lose it,and he who loses his life for My sake shall find it."
So,what can a person do when a family member turns against them for no apparent reason,or,for at least what they perceive is a good reason?What can a person do?Well,first of all,the person to whom the family members have turned on,if they are a christian,should be to examine their own heart,by asking God to reveal to them anything that is offensive to God first,and then to reveal what they may be doing to the family member,that is offending them.If in fact,that person is wanting to please the Lord above all else,that preson will do what the Lord tells them to do.
So,how do you know when God is telling you to do something? First and foremost,the word of God,the Bible,is the Only revealed truth of God in the world,and in fact has always been the Only revealed truth of God in all of history.It has also always been the tactic of Satan to get those who will not accept it for what it truly is,to believe in the lies he whispers to them in their ears.Does that make the person who DOES believe it,perfect? Absolutely and unequivically,NOT.However,the issue between believers and unbelievers,is the basic problem with all of humanity.It is referred to as "spiritual blindness".Unbelievers are completely blinded,due to the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden,from the truth of God's love for them.They only understand things from a earthly,sensual,devilish perspective (James 3:13-18).The only thing that unbelievers see,is what is right in front of them,they are unaware of what spiritual life is all about in regards to following Christ.All unbeleivers are caught up in the battle for their soul,and anything that the enemy of their soul can do to keep them blinded to this fact,will always and without doubt end in disaster.Their master is Satan.They may not think so.They may not believe it.But that is exactly the point I wish to make.Unbelief,is exactly the opposite of faith.As long as a person remains in unbelief,they will always remain blinded.They will always blame it on other things.
"I am a victim" or "It's not my fault" or "I didn't do anything wrong" or "It's a desease,I can't help it." They are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Tim.3:7).
Secondly,a true,born again believer,is faced with the same problem.They too,are locked into a battle for their soul.The Only difference is that,as long as they keep their faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for them at the cross,they cannot be defeated by anything that Satan brings against them.They go through trials and tribulations just like everyone else,but the difference is in the cross.This is the very thing,the cross of Christ,that has destroyed the enemies hold on their soul.Self-centeredness,selfishness,always what we want rather than what God wants,is what Christ came to destroy.It is a certain thing that,I have done things in my life,for example,that many family members do not understand and perceive as being wrong.However,what they do not understand is,is that I will do what the Scriptures tell me to do to the best of my abilities,with God's help and strength.
Which brings me to my point.
If a person is faced with family members turning against them for their stand of Biblical truth,then that person must stand for Jesus Christ and the truth of His word.Sure,it will no doubt bring division to the family,because not all family members have submitted to the Authority of the Scriptures for their lives.Many of them will believe that they are saved,but never submit to the word of God for their lives.They in fact are not saved,They are looking for fire insurance,but still want to live the way they want,in total rebellion to God.They will not humble themselves.Their foolish pride will always be a problem for them until they recognize their sin.Many will tell you,"I've tried the Bible,it just doesn't work" or "I am just not ready,I'll turn to Christ when I'm ready".My friends,my loved ones,you can rest assured that Satan will always make sure that you are not ready.Remember,there are no unbeleivers in Hell.Everyone who is in Hell today,and there are multiplied billions,is a believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The only problem they have now is that their eternal destiny is already sealed.It's too late for them to change their minds now,they are where they will be for all of eternity.
It is a very difficult thing to have family members who will tell you how wrong you are for taking a stand for truth,it hurts,I know from experience.But,I will gladly suffer the pain of rejection by family,to see them saved.Because I realize,it's really not me they are rejecting,it's Jesus Christ they are rejecting.I am not perfect,nor will I ever be perfect this side of death.But the one thing I do recognize is spiritual warfare taking place over the souls of all my loved ones.All any believer can do is,pray for their salvation,and believe what God says about them and not what Satan says.He is a liar and the father of lies.When he speaks he speaks only lies,because he is deceived himself.
I pray that maybe I've helped someone else who may be going through tough times with family members who are caught up in the deception of Satan.Don't give up on them,don't stop telling them about Christ's love for them.They may curse you,they may laugh at you,they may not ever again talk to you.But we will win,for our victory is in Christ Jesus our Lord.My family will come to Christ,every last one of them.In Jesus name,Amen......Love in Christ.....JW
Preaching Christ Crucified,I Cor.1:18-25
From the Pastor's desk and heart...
Matthew 10:36-39 says,
"...and a man's enemies will be those of his own household.He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.And who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.He who finds his life shall lose it,and he who loses his life for My sake shall find it."
So,what can a person do when a family member turns against them for no apparent reason,or,for at least what they perceive is a good reason?What can a person do?Well,first of all,the person to whom the family members have turned on,if they are a christian,should be to examine their own heart,by asking God to reveal to them anything that is offensive to God first,and then to reveal what they may be doing to the family member,that is offending them.If in fact,that person is wanting to please the Lord above all else,that preson will do what the Lord tells them to do.
So,how do you know when God is telling you to do something? First and foremost,the word of God,the Bible,is the Only revealed truth of God in the world,and in fact has always been the Only revealed truth of God in all of history.It has also always been the tactic of Satan to get those who will not accept it for what it truly is,to believe in the lies he whispers to them in their ears.Does that make the person who DOES believe it,perfect? Absolutely and unequivically,NOT.However,the issue between believers and unbelievers,is the basic problem with all of humanity.It is referred to as "spiritual blindness".Unbelievers are completely blinded,due to the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden,from the truth of God's love for them.They only understand things from a earthly,sensual,devilish perspective (James 3:13-18).The only thing that unbelievers see,is what is right in front of them,they are unaware of what spiritual life is all about in regards to following Christ.All unbeleivers are caught up in the battle for their soul,and anything that the enemy of their soul can do to keep them blinded to this fact,will always and without doubt end in disaster.Their master is Satan.They may not think so.They may not believe it.But that is exactly the point I wish to make.Unbelief,is exactly the opposite of faith.As long as a person remains in unbelief,they will always remain blinded.They will always blame it on other things.
"I am a victim" or "It's not my fault" or "I didn't do anything wrong" or "It's a desease,I can't help it." They are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Tim.3:7).
Secondly,a true,born again believer,is faced with the same problem.They too,are locked into a battle for their soul.The Only difference is that,as long as they keep their faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for them at the cross,they cannot be defeated by anything that Satan brings against them.They go through trials and tribulations just like everyone else,but the difference is in the cross.This is the very thing,the cross of Christ,that has destroyed the enemies hold on their soul.Self-centeredness,selfishness,always what we want rather than what God wants,is what Christ came to destroy.It is a certain thing that,I have done things in my life,for example,that many family members do not understand and perceive as being wrong.However,what they do not understand is,is that I will do what the Scriptures tell me to do to the best of my abilities,with God's help and strength.
Which brings me to my point.
If a person is faced with family members turning against them for their stand of Biblical truth,then that person must stand for Jesus Christ and the truth of His word.Sure,it will no doubt bring division to the family,because not all family members have submitted to the Authority of the Scriptures for their lives.Many of them will believe that they are saved,but never submit to the word of God for their lives.They in fact are not saved,They are looking for fire insurance,but still want to live the way they want,in total rebellion to God.They will not humble themselves.Their foolish pride will always be a problem for them until they recognize their sin.Many will tell you,"I've tried the Bible,it just doesn't work" or "I am just not ready,I'll turn to Christ when I'm ready".My friends,my loved ones,you can rest assured that Satan will always make sure that you are not ready.Remember,there are no unbeleivers in Hell.Everyone who is in Hell today,and there are multiplied billions,is a believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The only problem they have now is that their eternal destiny is already sealed.It's too late for them to change their minds now,they are where they will be for all of eternity.
It is a very difficult thing to have family members who will tell you how wrong you are for taking a stand for truth,it hurts,I know from experience.But,I will gladly suffer the pain of rejection by family,to see them saved.Because I realize,it's really not me they are rejecting,it's Jesus Christ they are rejecting.I am not perfect,nor will I ever be perfect this side of death.But the one thing I do recognize is spiritual warfare taking place over the souls of all my loved ones.All any believer can do is,pray for their salvation,and believe what God says about them and not what Satan says.He is a liar and the father of lies.When he speaks he speaks only lies,because he is deceived himself.
I pray that maybe I've helped someone else who may be going through tough times with family members who are caught up in the deception of Satan.Don't give up on them,don't stop telling them about Christ's love for them.They may curse you,they may laugh at you,they may not ever again talk to you.But we will win,for our victory is in Christ Jesus our Lord.My family will come to Christ,every last one of them.In Jesus name,Amen......Love in Christ.....JW
