Eyes to See

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

In some translations, Jesus often follows His teachings and His miracles with an admonition to "whoever has eyes to see, let him see."  He chides even His disciples in Mark 18:8 that they "...have eyes but fail to see..."

Jesus wants His followers to see.  Some of his followers think that only happens in church, in "Christian" activities, or watching "Christian" movies and listening to "Christian" radio-stations

I've never bought that.  Tribal culturalism is not following Jesus.

I watched Masterpiece Theater’s “Les Miserables” last night.

I've never read the book, and never seen the musical.  I was curious what the story is about.  I was blown away.

For those with eyes to see, it’s a story about repentance, forgiveness, and God’s grace.

The thought occurred that for those with eyes to see, every story is.

For those with eyes to see, that’s what it means that Jesus is Lord.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/episodes/les-miserables-e1/

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Give to Moochers

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Jesus says to give to everyone who asks (Matthew 5:42, and Luke 6:30).

In other words, Jesus tells us to do the same as He does, and the same as His and our Father does.

But many people today take the opposite view: that when you give to people, you harm them.  Helping people, they say, makes them lazy and dependent on your charity, and robs them of their self-reliance and self-respect.  This opposite view is that it does needy people the most real good to not give to them.

We're probably not far from the mark if we think that argument sounds like the devil's rationalization.  His "thing," ever since his chat with Eve in the Garden of Eden, has always been to afirm the opposite of what God says.

But even if take it as nothing more than a current-useful "principle" of self-serving politicians, it doesn't seem that argument should ever persuade Christians.  At least not Christians practiced in choosing between what Jesus says, and what "the world" tells us.

The temptation to believe the politicians tempts Christians too, because we all know of, or have heard of, able-bodied people who live by "mooching" off of others, especially charitable others.  So we are all tempted to predicate our giving on whether we consider a person in need is "worthy"...or a moocher.

Let's be as straight on that score as Jesus is.  NO one...ourselves included...is "worthy" of the good God has lavished on us.  That's exactly why Jesus says we should give to every fellow-moocher who asks us for a little of what God has given our unworthy selves,

There are predatory people who fake neediness:  we can all agree on that.   Human beings are fallen creatures, some so fallen they will use other people to their own evil ends.   But they seem to be very few.  Muhammad Yunus, who started grameen ("community") banks to loan money to people so poor they were considered "uncredit-worthy" by the financial-system, writes that there is a 98% return on those loans.

Playing the percentages alone, it seems foolish to refuse to give to people in need because 2% of them would not repay you.

But for Christians, of course, our decision whether to obey Jesus or not doesn't really depend on the fact that other people are unworthy, or that some would take advantage of us.

If Jesus' command in the Sermon on the Mount to give to everyone isn't sufficient, we need to think about what our response to people in need says about ourselves.  Jesus' command to us in that same teaching was to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

We are either people who believe and wish and do good regards other people; or we are people who distrust others, and believe their intentions are evil.

Every one of us makes our own decision which kind of person we will be.  And Jesus is very clear which kind of person is His follower.


                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Christian Sin

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

 ^"You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in
him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the
father of lies."  (John 8:44)



Is it sin to deceive ?

Jesus said we show who our father is, by the deeds our hearts desire to do.  He said
deceivers show their hearts are set on doing the deeds of "the father of lies" (John 8:44).

Is it sin to be deceived ?

Of course it is.  How is anyone ever deceived, except by their own failure to love the truth.
The con-man understands perfectly how deceit works.  He operates by the evil wisdom that
"you can't cheat an honest man."

The ultimate of that reality is where Christians live.  Nobody is a Christian at all except
they love Jesus, Who said "I AM...The Truth" (John 14:6).  No one can claim to be a Christian
unless they are led by "the Spirit of Truth," sent by God to lead us into all Truth (John 16:13).

Is it sin then for Christians to be deceived ?  Is it sin that a Christian does not love Jesus ?
Is it sin that a Christian turns from following the Spirit ?

The good news for Christians is that God will forgive even those deep sins.

Even at this late hour, any Christian who will can confess their sin, turn away from their
sin, and be forgiven.

All you Christians who have been deceived, and foolish enough to follow liars, please
be radically honest to God about your horrible sin, while He is still pleased to forgive.

Amen !!



                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

The Best Thing About the Current President

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

The best thing about America's current president is that he will die.  When, and how much more harm he will be permitted to do before then, is God's decision alone.

It's good that the current president is such a complete narcissist that his evil thoughts and deeds center entirely on himself, on what he personally and immediately wants.  He will not leave his followers an evil ideology to follow to destruction, like Nazism or Communism.  Trumpism's sole Great Purpose is Trump, and when he is dead it will not survive.

But of course, the spirit of evil is greater than any man, or ideology of men: and evil will survive and flourish

An amazing number of people who've made it their life's purpose to follow the current president will be without direction when their Great Leader is no more.  They will not then know whom they should hate, and who to love.  They will not have his hourly outbursts specifying what "opinions" and worldview they must adapt to accord with his.

An amazing number of people will then be waiting for someone...anyone...to tell them what to think, and what to believe, and what to do.  The current president's admirers have shown they lack the spiritual discernment to recognize and flee from satan's evil spirit and intent.  When Trump passes from the scene, their hearts will continue to desire someone of that spirit whom they can follow, and trust, and believe, and obey.

I'm convinced God will allow them their heart's desire.

Jesus' coming was preceded by God's sending John the Baptist to prepare His way.  It just may be that satan's end-time anti-messiah likewise has his forerunner, preparing those whose hearts long for his appearing.

Perhaps the best thing about the current president is that through him God is purifying His Church of those who will not receive the love of the truth, so as to be saved (II Thessalonians 2:10).  Perhaps in this way God is preparing for His Son a Church in submission to Him, Who IS The Truth: a Church cleansed, glorious, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:24-27).