Out of Order, or, In the Book?

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

If you are upset because I have sent a message of scriptural exhortation and you do not know me personally, delete it, share it, or call your congressman. I am not in error. I am doing what I have been called to do. If “social media” can be used to promote everything from automobiles to pornography, then “social media” can certainly be used to share the Word of El Shaddai, The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Masons, Muslims, Democrats, Republicans, White Supremists, terrorists, human traffickers, and all manner of political lobbyists are using “social media” to share their ideology, recruit new adherents, or merely annoy the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent world at large. Should “social media” be renamed “antisocial media?” Well, until the Federal Government votes to annul my right to encourage saints and lift up the name of Jesus (John 12:32), I shall continue to go ye therefore and do what I do with “social media” by any means necessary.

Here am I, Lord (Isaiah 6:8). Send me. I will go in an old jalopy, Jesus! I will go on the Internet. I will go using my US passport. I will go into the prisons. I will go where there is no honorarium and no offering to be raised. I’ll go, Almighty God. I’ll send the message through email. I will send Your message using Facebook. I will do it, Lord. No matter who despises me for it. I’ll go in Jesus’ mighty name without fear. I will say whatever You give me to say, Almighty God. I will say it loud. I will say it with at least a hint of ardor. And, as time winds to a close in the last days of the status quo, I will not hesitate to reach out and touch those you lead me to with some form of communication. Hallelujah! You are the only wise God who, throughout history, has been speaking, speaking, speaking to the universe created and upheld by the Word of Your power (Hebrews 1:3). Praise Your holy name forever, Almighty God! I will bless Your holy name forever and never cease to give You honor, glory, and praise. If I had ten thousand tongues, I could not praise You enough, Jehovah Shalom. Except I communicate Your magnificence and perfection, I could have no peace in my heart. I would be a liar if I failed to express Your infinite goodness and loving kindness. You have done too much for me and been too benevolent for me to keep silent and let others praise You, Lord. I declare war on the cat that once had my tongue. I rebuke the spirits of ignorance, prejudice, and fear that once suppressed my praise and worship in the holy name of Jesus. I am coming out. I am crying out and I am going to stay out of the silent cave which once kept me mute. If I am going to be despised by some no matter what I say or do, then let me be despised for too zealously proclaiming the Word of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Help me to wield skillfully the sword of Your Spirit, Lord (Ephesians 6:17). Hallelujah! This is my confident prayer today in the name of Jesus. Amen.

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

Whosoever Will

Accepted or rejected? I agree wholeheartedly that this is the issue made so clear in these chapters in John.“The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone” (Psalm 118:22) (Matthew 21:42) and again in (Acts 4:11). Salvation is a work of divine monergism – God does the work. Narrow is the gate, despite my good intent and desire that everyone respond favorably and be saved. I need only present Jesus as He has already proclaimed in his Word. God speaks and we either take heed or we chose not to. “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice” (Rush “Free Will”). If my presentation is biblical, God’s Word is life transforming truth and shall not return unto him void. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Why should we heed 2 Timothy 2:15? So that we don’t risk leading others astray with improvised imaginations of the gospel message, that’s why. “And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (Luke 6:39). We think more highly of ourselves than we ought if we see our own role in the process of salvation as any greater than this, to preach Christ and Him crucified. You stated, “Jesus' presentation was flawless, as He is God incarnate. If some chose to reject the perfect presentation, how could interest be attributed to presentation?” Your statement is precisely the central truth, the real core, of what we are discussing and I wish I could have said it as eloquently. "The mind of the flesh (carnal mind) is enmity (at war) against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be" (Romans 8:7). I expect the lost to be angry when they hear the Word of God. Sin exposes itself by its reaction to God's Word. Demons always cry out at the name of Jesus because they fear and tremble. Neither God nor His humble servants are intimidated by the angry alpha dog tough guy routine that immature persons are apt to put on in order to act hard and self important. However, if the scared and angry children would only drop the self-centered façade for just a moment, just for a single heartbeat; their fear would be replaced by a Father’s love so magnanimous that Satan himself could not deny the extent and perfection of it. “Whosoever will, let him come” Jesus says. Yet some are so angry that He is speaking. What other reaction could darkness have to the true light? Scripture tells us that this reaction of anger and hatred is to be expected. Yet, still we say “whosoever will, let him come and receive living water and the bread of life, the Great I AM! Can you be angry and sin not? Who am I talking to? God knows who you are…

Keep Coming

I'm not afraid to tell you I’ve been right where you are; in the church on Sunday and then right back into the dreadful pit of shame on Monday. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t let the condemnation of the misguided self righteous keep you away from the only cure for your disease, hearing the Word of God. Forget theology just now and come to the alter quickly and as often as you feel the need. Because we have free will, God’s perfection in us does not always work in an instant like the proponents of today’s microwave Christianity would have you believe. Don’t be deceived by these angels of light who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. God’s grace is indeed sufficient, no matter how many times you need to fight your way to the altar. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful… (Hebrews 4:12). Don’ let Satan keep you away from the Word who was made flesh (John 1:14). There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus… (Romans 8:1). Why let anyone, no matter how holy they think they are, try to separate you from the love of God? Do not allow it. Come to Jesus. Come and drink living water that is fresh and waiting for you whenever you come.