viewoutsidethepew

I accept the teaching that this is a world of humans. It is the turf of Apollyon/Abaddon (both words translate into English as “destroyer”) who is the great deceiver. We can protect ourselves only by deep, compassionate love (“agape”) to counter the compulsion people have to destroy: physically (murder), emotionally (abuse) and intellectually (by unfounded conspiracies), and by Truth (which Jesus taught was personified, not intellectualized).

Israelis are people, as are Palestinians, however, there are those of every race and professed religion who live as slaves of Satan, the Accuser and Destroyer. Their purpose in life is to destroy things (vandalism) and people (murderers/terrorists). Every person or group “is known by its fruit” (Luke 6:44).

Whoever would condemn one, or other, or both of the sides in the Gaza War, however, remember Jesus said, “The person who is sinless should be the first to throw a stone.” (John 8:7). So I will not judge from my imperfections and ignorance, however, I can pray for peace. And we can make peace where we live, and cast off those attitudes that make us judgmental, stop those actions that attack or humiliate other people and abandon any lifestyle that is self-centred.

Just because there are wars in many places of this world doesn’t mean someone has to start another one with their uncompromising ideology that allows them to dehumanize other people.

“Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called God’s children.” (Matthew 5:9)

There are only two kinds of people: those who act like God and those who play God. The first are motivated by deep, compassionate love and show respect. The others claim to know best for everyone else and impose their opinions on others with contempt. John Milton accurately portrays this impulse of humans (through the voice of Satan) by writing:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.
(John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book II, Lines 240-242)
The theory of those who play God is, even if you can’t reign in real hell, make life hell for others and dominate them.
The theory of those who act like God is, by devotion to the worth of others, make the world a better place.

In the God’s Word Translation the word “wait” occurs 162 times in the Bible! Why?

Because people, wanting to be like God, want to do when God wants to do it for us and through us. We are constantly forced to review the Garden of Eden sin, lusting “to be like God” (Genesis 3:4).

Today is the anniversary of Pentecost, the day the Body of Christ (Church) was truly born.

In a spectacular way God demonstrated that God can do it, and people can join in.

“Once, while [Jesus] was meeting with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for what the Father had promised. Jesus said to them, ‘I’ve told you what the Father promises: John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’|” (Acts 2:4-5 God’s Word Translation©)

The Church (not congregations) exists because God is at work, NOT because people are smart, skilled, or simply sensational.

Wait for God to lead, call and do. Serve God. Do not chase your need to be a famed or noticed champion deserving accolades and honour!

“A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 God’s Word Translation)

“I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by believing in God’s Son, who loved me and took the punishment for my sins” (Galatians 2:20 God’s Word Translation©).

“If I had not destroyed myself completely, I should not have been able to rebuild and shape myself; that is, if I had not forsaken everything deriving from my own will that appeared good to me, I would not have been able to acquire the virtues**.” Abba Alonius (Alonios), 4th Century

**[prudence (reasoning), justice, temperance (self-restraint), fortitude (endurance), faith, hope, charity (deep compassion)].