OUR ATTITUDES
Prologue
This message will not be eagerly pursued by many church members because it will oppose a very popular current commentary. Therefore, I ask that you read Romans, Chapter 13 in its entirety. There are only 21 verses, and they explain God's direction for government, authority, wrath on evil doers, conscience, taxes, fear and honor. It will do you good to continue in Romans 13:8-10, where you should understand we all share a responsibility for each other.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matt. 7:7) One of our major roadblocks is not understanding that this directive from Christ addresses both spiritual and secular life. Scripture can tell us much, most of us miss, because we think we are studying only the Christian guidelines for our belief--a religious study. If you reflect on His teaching, you will see much more than just a Christian religious manual.
This "quick" study in scripture will reveal things Christians need to know about God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, but, like the Parables, other instruction is lost when we fail to really think about what we are told. Don't miss the spiritual significance, but also look a bit deeper. For example, math is simple when you study the basics of addition and subtraction. Later, you learn about using minus numbers and solving problems with unknown numbers. For many, the basics are enough, and unless they go on to college, that is the end of the line. The same is true in other subjects. I taught school at one time, and a majority of students really didn't want to learn all they could. School
was a "pain" to get away from as soon as possible. Even students who go on to college frequently want only to spend time in their major areas. This is an attitude and mind set that continues in adult life. Students are not taught to ask questions and do research.
Before going on to end times and judgment, I want to make you aware of this lack of questions and research, and how it fits into our future. Every week I receive several emails, unsolicited, that make bogus charges and political claims. Frequently these messages are from supposed Christians and churches. I research every one, and almost none contain one grain of truth. These attacks on individuals and our government are pure politics, and the people who receive them and ask me about them usually believe every word. I have yet to find a pastor who refutes this information. Yet, almost all of these
messages are sins according to scripture. Now, if regular Christians are doing this, they are not following Christ's teaching, and not realizing they are drowning in sin.
Lest you think this is political tripe and has nothing to do with scripture, a glance at the subject shows many, many references beginning in the Old Testament. If we look at Matt. 15:1-20, this is a parable, and like most scripture readers, was not understood by the disciples. If you don't read this entire segment of Matt., you will continue not to get Christ's teaching. To make it easier for you, we'll only look at two of the twenty verses, but read them all. "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." Repeating this internet and similar falsehoods is a serious breech of Christianity.
The environment we grow up in dictates much of our adult mind-set, and if we never learn the value of Matt. 7:7, we will continue to bring about God's judgment on our nation. You may rant about abortion or same sex marriage, but you ignore flat-out lies and character assassination in the name of politics and the Christian church. Truth is truth, no matter the faith or lack thereof. If you pass on statements or claims of others without seeking the truth, you are guilty of being a false witness. If you are that casual with your witness, why would a non-committed person believe anything you say? When I hear
these false messages passed along as truth, I wonder how straight the "Christian's" walk is with our Savior? Does it permit bending the truth or excuse the person from checking on the information or correcting false testimony? A real Christian's life can be explained in the oath a person takes before grand jury testimony--"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to this Grand Jury?" Don't you understand God watches all nations and peoples and judges everyone? Matt. 5:45, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." He expects more from a Christian because a Christian has such an exceptional opportunity to hear and understand the Word of God. Are you listening?
Both God and Christ tell us all sins are equally bad except one. Denying the power of the Holy Spirit will get you a ride to Hell. Outside of that, if we ask forgiveness of sins, Christ paid the penalty of redemption. If you continue to repeat the same sins, you obviously aren't repentant. Your commitment is then questionable, not by me, but from God. The passing on of false charges and rumors is difficult to support in view of many scriptures, including the
one that tells us God is in full control and appoints His choice as leader. Why do so many church people and conservatives not heed this directive? Look closely at Romans 13:1,2, and read verses 3 through 8. Especially understand that there is no authority except from God. If you haven't already deleted this message, I now quote Romans 13:1-8. All this government bashing and taxes complaining indicate two things: a high regard for Mammon (money), and ignorance of verse 2 that warns judgment will be brought against disobedient
believers.
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. FOR THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD, AND THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD." We have the leaders God chose. Is man more intelligent than God? Continue, "Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist WILL BRING JUDGMENT ON THEMSELVES". That, of course, means judgment on the nation. I turn to
the New King James Version of their study bible (1982) for their explanation because I'm pretty certain many disagree with what I explain. Don't believe me--believe scripture and verse 2 quoted above, "Every believer is to be subject to these various authorities, even if these authorities are evil as Nero, the emperor of Rome" when Paul wrote this letter. ( Nelson's NKJV, page 1903, bottom study notes.) More than 60 bible scholars contributed to this
study bible, so I'm in good company. Now I trust you understand that this government bashing against God's leaders is negative, ungodly and a sin. It will contribute to the judgment of our nation. Like it or not, it is what God put in place. Of course, it is not the only criteria for judgment.
We next go to the Old Testament book of Amos, because this prophet knew much about prophecy and judgment. You should note that most prophets were not priests or clergy, and this was for good reason. It was the religious leaders who not only permitted the people to stray, but played an active leadership role in misinformation and teaching. Amos began his
prophesies with a comprehensive summary. Amos 2:4, "Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the Lord, And have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, Lies which their fathers followed." Amos did not list a long list of transgressions, but rather stressed a few important ones. He lists lies for Judah, and in verse six, warns Israel,
and stresses "selling righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals."
It is interesting that over a period of time and through experience, even the supposed godly (Christians) who don't bother following scripture, figure out ways to subvert their fellow man--for profit, of course. For this lesson, we go back almost 100 years, after our "we the people" Constitution was adopted. We are so proud, and boast our freedom to an admiring world. Oh, wait! For many people in America in the late 1770s and until the 1860s, there was no freedom for slaves! Oh, wait! Until 1920, women citizens of the
United States couldn't vote. Our founding fathers permitted southern politicians to draft a "freedom" Constitution that excluded all except white men. There were 11 Confederate States of America.
In 1820, President James Monroe, a former governor of Virginia, and a Republican, signed the Missouri Compromise, which admitted that new state to "enjoy" slavery, and added Maine to the nation as a "free" state. Much of the wealth accumulated in the now 12 slave states came from the servitude of slaves. Now we add to that a domestic basic servitude required of women, who couldn't even vote. God has great mercy, but after putting up with this nowadays trumpeting of freedom and "we the people" lies, He now watches as
a new generation of like-minded politicians and religious leaders imposes a "modern" method of slavery. We're not talking about prostitution or taking advantage of foreigners who don't speak English or are otherwise handicapped in a new environment. We're talking about a new method of creating slave conditions elsewhere, destroying the American economy, and creating unbelievable wealth for the "new plantation owners."
This new method of creating large profits comes on the backs of foreigners who are hired by American corporations who have built factories where governments have little or no safety or other regulations. Because these nations have huge populations of poor people and their is a scarcity of jobs, corporations can employ workers at cheap wages with no benefits. By
reducing the cost of production, the finished product can be sold for less without losing any profitability, and, in fact, by realizing even more profit. This is okay, the business leaders claim, because we are doing these poor foreign laborers a favor by providing jobs. Foreign leaders like this arrangement because it means more dollars in their pockets. Most are skimmers.
Meanwhile, back in the good, old U.S.A., we have a multitude of workers without jobs, and, if they're fortunate, collecting unemployment benefits. Some of our prominent business leaders tell us this money--paid for by employer and employee contribution--is free entitlement money for people who don't want to work. Now most goods on sale in our big, big stores that have replaced the smaller community businesses, can be sold for less, putting any remaining small American businesses in jeopardy. In effect, over a relatively short period of time, we will see America become a two tiered class of people, like most third world countries. Getting more education won't help, because a quantity of these jobs will also be outsourced even though quality and service will suffer. Meanwhile, only shareholders of corporations--where
huge blocks of stock are controlled by the wealthy--will gain wealth. Our corporations have been updated by politicians in our highest court to status as "a PERSON" so they can control money and attempt to take control of all elections. Only God can create a person. Robots or corporations are not people, and they are not created in God's image. Read your bible, in
the very first Book, Genesis 1:26, "Then God said, Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness", and verse 27, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."
Tell me how these Christian businessmen and church leaders interpret these very plain words to enable them to do whatever they desire to use people like toilet paper. Why do those who boast they are followers of the Son of God ignore the very words Christ gave them as a guideline to obey the Father and Son? I hear our President compared to Hitler. Want to hear
a real story about Hitler's "final solution"? Some years ago I was privileged to attend a dinner with several wealthy southern businessmen. They didn't know I was just a poor jerk commoner, and they discussed politics and economics freely. They had formulated America's "final solution", and it didn't concern Jews. No siree, it concerned what to do with blacks. Their plan was to set blacks up on their own farms to give them ownership and work. Much of the work blacks were doing at the time was agricultural field work. They harvested vegetables and fruit in work gangs at poor pay. These were jobs many white people wouldn't do, and it was long hours and hot hand labor. They agreed this plan probably wouldn't fly with northerners, so they were considering a second stand for "states rights", the cause of the Civil War. These southern states' leaders were mostly Democrats, and they walked out of a national
convention and briefly closed public schools in protest. They then, over time, did a strange thing, and became Republicans. It was a Republican (Unionist) president--Lincoln--who signed the law freeing slaves. Those who trumpet freedom and "we the people" boast about our democracy, yet at the same time talk secession from the union because they didn't get the leader they wanted. They apparently don't understand a majority vote determines leadership in a democracy. Without knowing it, they want to have a dictatorship. One can only wonder what America would be like today if the South had won. Think about it.
The mind set by business and economic leaders has become, to reduce costs and increase profits. The easiest way is to offer an inferior product of slightly less volume, increase the sale price, and trim the cost of labor. Every American with enough IQ to walk and talk knows this is true when they go shopping. All gripe about costs, but only the workers--many at minimum
wage-- gripe about trying to live on below poverty level income. These are some of the 47 percenters who don't pay taxes and live on entitlement (food stamps, etc.). The politicians who continue to make this claim apparently don't know and don't want to know that these minimum wage workers DO pay taxes, and they are deducted from every pay check. It's quite nice when you have so much wealth you don't even know about how the majority of Americans live. The union bashers are fine with this arrangement because they aren't the people who must try to stretch small weekly paychecks or social security, or veteran's benefits. While all this very unChristian activity goes on, where are the church leaders? It took men who died for their cause to begin some changes the wealthy leaders and their shill supporters are
still trying to suppress.
By convincing ultra conservatives the 47 percenters are moochers, the conservative leaders have a segment of the former middle class working against their own people. Meanwhile, not a whimper about the million dollar bonuses paid to failed corporate leaders, the continuing drain of dollars for a duped series of wars, or the secret arrangement for energy supply and
cost between a sitting vice president and energy icons. The union bashers need to look at history to understand why we have unions. I read comments almost daily from people in central Pennsylvania and the coal region, who want to eliminate unions for the "right to work'. If it wasn't so tragic, this would be beyond humorous. These people live where the Molly Maguires
became historical examples of servitude imposed on coal workers by unprincipled wealthy mine owners. Where was the church? Didn't these people see the movie? Didn't they study this in Pennsylvania History class? Some of these people say they're educated? I'm still laughing.
People's memories and lack of history knowledge lead to pure ignorance. At the turn of the 19th-20th century, working conditions in New York City's garment industry were deplorable. Most of the employees were women and children. They worked long hours at slave wages with no benefits and in deplorable working conditions. The good ole boys were at it again here,
because the victims were women and children. When the women rebelled and attempted to organize to improve their working conditions and pay, the corporate boys hired goons to attack the women on picket lines. Goons got to to grab women by the breast, pinch and twist, and assault them. Of course the corporate story said the protesters were violent. The same was
true with the Molly Maguires, when coal barons made a murder case out of the confrontation. You need to understand that reporting of events depends largely on the "official" report of action by officials.
The plight of mill workers in the South was similar. Long hours, poor pay, no benefits, and the worker was basically a slave. Jobs were scarce, so you had to take what you could get. The history of this situation was available first in a book, and then in a movie. Same circumstances as the others, same reaction by the industry barons. The only ridiculous unions are the professional sports unions, where athletes make millions. This, too, was caused by the team owners making huge profits while players were locked into contracts that kept their salaries low and prevented them from signing with any other team for a higher salary. The mill workers eventually won, but the corporate owners did exactly what is being done today. They moved the work overseas, and now clothing comes from India, Mexico and third world nations
across the world. Clothing is cheap, profits are high, and American jobs are gone. A living wage in most of these nations is below the American poverty level. Our corporations are certainly "helping" these foreign workers who toil without government safety, health, or reasonable pay.
Now, return for a bit to the Molly Maguires and the coal industry. This little disagreement did not get settled at that time because the coal barons won. We advance well into the 1900s, and the formation of the coal miners' union under John L. Lewis, who finally got the miners some decent pay and working conditions. You should know that Lewis's success gained him a sort
of fame, because he "disappeared". Yep, he caused a lot of trouble and money for some people, and he vanished without a trace. The Karen Silkwood case had similar conditions, but I don't suppose most of you know who she was, anyhow.
The Godly way to pay workers is given in both Testaments, and is located in 1 Cor. 9:9, which tells us, "For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain."' The ox was used as an example, but the law was for the benefit of priests and others whodid the work of God. Scripture goes on to explain that workers are "entitled" to some of the benefits of their work. It is not something for free, but part of the wage. The major complaint against unions is that the pay scale is too high, which is true in some instances. The other complaint is really based on jealousy, envy and greed. Union dues never cost any member money--it brought them money. The pay scale of some teachers and government workers is undoubtedly too high, but so is the pay scale for corporate leaders. Why take away from the lowest paid workers, not the highest? It's easier to pick on the little guys, right? The big ones will make you tuck your tails and run. By the way, you teacher bashers know nothing about the work of a teacher, at least by your statements of hours, days and responsibility are concerned. Ignorance reigns supreme.
The snap judgment about the work of teachers reminds me of that serious failing that besets me sometimes. We only see with our eyes and permit the mind to take a vacation. There was a city man who purchased some woodland nearby and had a cabin there. He spent time at the cabin frequently, and occasionally stopped at our farm to buy eggs. In talking to him, he remarked my wife and I were getting older and running the farm and ministry without help must be pretty tough sometimes. He offered to help out if we would give him a call when he was staying at the cabin. I thanked him, but thought it must be pretty nice to have all the time he had to stay at the cabin. I was envious, because we didn't even have time or money for a vacation. I knew he hunted, and enjoyed his time on his property. Within a few months I learned he had died. He looked the picture of health on the outside, but that obviously was not the case on the inside. I felt remorse that I had so wrongly judged him. When you see someone on disability who is doing something like fishing, hunting or mowing the lawn, don't shout out that the person is a welfare cheater. Look at Matt.7:1-2, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
The wealthy don't want to pay taxes. They hire people to find all the loopholes. They put their money in banks and investments outside America. More and more are actually renouncing citizenship to escape paying taxes. They have enjoyed freedom because of our soldiers, none of whom became wealthy on military pay. In fact, many military families suffer because our
wealthy congresspeople don't want to take care of them properly. The wealthy were educated by teachers who are not wealthy. The wealthy travel on roads in vehicles, on airplanes and on railroads built by people who aren't wealthy. We can't throw all wealthy under the bus, but we should recognize the wealthy who don't want to work, but consider living off investments
work. Even then, they employ people as advisers, and that is where the work is done. Christ tells us in scripture that Christians have a social responsibility. That does not mean everyone shares everything equally, as many conservatives claim. There are religious denominations in the United States that are socialist, and they are very successful. They could teach our leaders something about social responsibility and money.
I would pray that you, as a professing Christian, would take very seriously the scripture I have quoted throughout this message to determine IF you really follow the teaching of the One you say you committed to. Is Jesus Christ the image of God and mankind, or is any corporation the image of Jesus Christ and God? You can't have it both ways. Are you already bearing the logo of secular mankind, an invisible 666? The prophets have always been sent by God to warn erring people. Usually people follow human leaders, including church people, and all the people of the nation pay the price one way or another. Do you understand judgement will come, and it may not be the end time? We could be judged and punished, and the end of the world could still be quite distant. Many nations and civilizations have been punished, and yet it was not the end time. We are so prideful about "we the people" that we think God will determine the end time based on our performance. Israel was taken captive and punished, and the captives included such Godly people as Daniel and his three friends. Do we have any Christians to compare with those captives? We are a money driven people, and the church does nothing to change that. The previous election demonstrated that money, like corporations, is more important than people. Sooner or later, we each must recognize and choose which is our purpose on earth--God or money. This IS our purpose driven life. You can have wealth, but you must use it wisely and understand the very words of Christ in Matt. 5:24. "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other. or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Rev. Walbear
WHY WE FAIL
We know religion and the church have always been intertwined with government
and politics, and we should also understand the mix of religion with education. If you
think you can understand the Word of God without some basic knowledge of the
relationship of these subjects, you are sadly mistaken. John 1:1 tells us , "In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
If we can't understand (comprehend) words, we can't be obedient to God. Being
obedient to God is better than sacrifice-- 1 Sam. 15:22, "So Samuel said: Has the
Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of
the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of
rams." Just because you graduated from high school or college doesn't mean you
are educated. God didn't just give us religious and moral rules to understand, He
divided education into subjects He expected us to also learn.
There are many subjects, but if we want to understand how the future is to unfold,
we need to study history. This subject tells us what civilizations and people have
done in the past, and how these actions provided specific outcomes (future). Much
of the Old Testament is history, while the New Testament instructs us how to live
in the future so we may be privileged to be part of the future. If you cannot combine
the instructions in both testaments, you will not make out well in the future. If you did
not do well in English in school or had trouble understanding material you read, you
need to brush up to be able to comprehend history. If you are successful in this
endeavor, you will probably discover some of your preconceived ideas about values
and politics are incorrect. Of course you know an educated person has a mind that is
open to ideas in all subjects, including religion. If you are a real Christian, you should
know why you made that commitment. You should also understand the commitment is
only the beginning of a Christian walk.
If you learned to read and write in school, you should also have learned to have an
inquisitive mind. That is not only a "school" directive, but the actual instruction of Christ
as given in Matt. 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,
and it will be opened to you." I give you these scriptures as an admonition to research
what you hear or read before you actually leap to a conclusion that sounds good. If
it sounds so good, there is probably some sugar coating to cover something that is
anything but good. Many of us have grown up in an environment of family and/or
community that has shaped our outlook. Unless we were diligent in our study of civics
and history (including the bible), we are not likely to understand what's happening in
the world we live in.
There are two basic reasons civilizations fail. Poor leadership and ignorance is one
cause, and this always is part of a civilization that does not recognize the God of
Christianity. There are many other gods, but only one God of creation. The other
reason is the failure of people--God's Chosen--to be obedient and follow the teaching
and corrections of God. In the days of the Old Testament, God spoke directly to those
He chose to be the priestly leaders. Even though God spoke to these leaders, the
people sooner or later wanted to do things "their" way, and were disobedient. Although
God is patient, eventually He had to take corrective action. Things progressed pretty
well, even with Israel bullheaded and disobedient at times, until they told Samuel they
wanted a human king to lead them. After generations of God's direct leadership that
brought them their own land of milk and honey, they wanted the type of leadership they
observed from human kings which caused mostly misery and continuing troubles for them
at the hand of other peoples. They did not heed the lesson of history. Mindful of that,
Christ clearly warned us to be inquisitive. In journalism, we were taught to see the who,
what, why, and when of situations so we could present the "whole truth", as we promise
in a court of law. Journalism has been removed from English departments in most
colleges, now, and it is easy to see the incompetence by many writers and commentators.
God's Chosen could have followed the priests and prophets, who were ordained by God,
but instead chose to follow leaders who were aggressive and "soft soapers" who plied
golden tongues. They did not ask questions as long as the message promised them things
they wanted. They accepted these charlatans at their word, especially if it didn't require
them to give up or sacrifice anything personal. Worse, the messages of these leaders
often opposed teaching of scripture. Many who followed these leaders were ignorant of
the lesson provided them in history. They liked what they were told, and defied (not obeyed)
God, which led to the punishment.
Now, strange as it may seem, one very, very bad civilization was persuaded by an Israeli
prophet to confess their "awfulness" (sins), and escaped Godly punishment. They did not
have the advantage we have through the bible and teaching of Christ. This is a thrilling
bible history lesson, and tells you comprehension of the words you hear or read can make
a major difference in your future and the nation's future.
Spend a brief time with me in the Book of Jonah. It'll do you good. Some Christians believe
Jonah is a " fish story" but Christ referred to this book in Matt. 12:39 and 16:4, and Luke
referred to it in 11:29,30. Jonah knew Nineveh (Assyria) was a wicked nation who used piles
of skulls at the entrance to the city to intimidate people. This was also a nation that posed a
future threat to Israel. What prophet would want to go there and tell them they were wicked
and had to repent to a God they didn't know? A prophet is honored to be chosen, but history
has proven they have a difficult life, especially among their own people. Pay strict attention
to what happened in Nineveh, because we could learn from this experience.
God sent Jonah to preach repentance to people who did not value life and who did not
follow God's moral plan. Jonah could expect to be killed at any time, but he followed God's
direction and told these people how terrible they were. Though they had no background in
the teaching of the Chosen, they UNDERSTOOD Jonah's message, changed their ways,
and repented. Although they didn't seek the words, they adopted the meaning. God gave
them the opportunity. We not only have the opportunity, we have the teaching of Christ.
There is no excuse for a Christian not to understand the Word of God. There is also no excuse
to misunderstand the Word of God. We must not accept the message of anyone just because
what he says sounds good, no matter who the person is or how much influence or money
the individual might have. That includes pastors.
Jonah was surprised the Assyrians repented and God spared them from judgment. He had
the attitude many of us have. We think, that as Christians, God will treat us differently than
other peoples or nations. In fact, I know of Christian pastors and teachers who teach that we
are "special" and thus judged differently. God is sovereign and has all power over everything
and all nations. He can be merciful to wicked nations if they repent, and to non Christians if
they repent. I didn't say they were saved--just that His mercy is endless. Just because we
have salvation doesn't mean we don't need mercy. It's that mercy that will enable us to escape
tribulation.
I keep repeating that God is always in full control of everything, and that includes leadership
of all nations, whether good or bad. He chooses the leaders, so get over any idea you may have
that we, the people, are directly responsible. I hear that "we, the people" quote so frequently
from individuals who do not represent the people, that I've come to automatically dismiss them
as ill or uninformed. China has the leader God chose. Germany and America have the leaders
God chose. They are all a part of God's plan. The ignorance of Americans concerning the types
of government indicates civics and comprehension need some improvement. As a nation, we
need to understand these differences if we are to make good and reasonable decisions and
take appropriate action.
From the Old Testament we learn the lesson of history and our future. We must follow God's
direction. If we go astray and don't repent, we will be judged and found wanting. From the New
Testament we should learn the lesson of how to live the life of a Christian and Chosen. That
means a very close acceptance and following of Christ's teaching. That also means we should
be able to comprehend the many parables Christ gave us. I find many Christians have been
grossly misled by politicians and church leaders who play free and loose with scripture to lead
both pretending and real Christians far from the very words of Christ. When you don't comprehend
the very Word of God, you are in trouble. I will give you direct quotes from scripture that should
stimulate thought unless you have a closed mind.
We start in Matt. 13:10-17. (You may also find this explanation in Mark 4:10-12, and Luke
8:9,10.) "And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to them in parables?' He
answered and said to them, Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be
given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken
away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables , because seeing they do not see, and
hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is
fulfilled, which says: Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see
and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them."
This parable is frequently used by pastors and teachers in the context of finances. It has
nothing to do with financial success. Christ did not teach money except to direct his disciples
and followers to pay taxes. This parable was actually a judgment for unbelief, and its purpose
was to both reveal and conceal the truth. When Christ said to whoever has, more will be given,
he is talking about truth, and saying the reward for understanding is further understanding. The
parables were Christ's method of delivering the truth to believers and concealing it from those
who were not committed to Him.
The same applies today. If a leader of any kind tells you this parable is about financial
rewards, that person is NOT A CHRISTIAN.
For a repeat of this teaching and the common misleading interpretation by many claiming
to be Christian leaders, look at Matt. 25:14-30. I won't take up the space to quote this entire
parable, but will rather ask you to very carefully examine verses 24 and 26. This wealthy man
admits (confesses) the servant is absolutely correct in the fact that financial gain and success
was directly due to cheating and stealing. The wealthy man then took away from the servant
what he had. Christ never taught cheating and stealing. He taught honesty and giving. If any
leader uses these scriptures as an excuse for financial gain or success, BEWARE! He/she
is not a Christian. The very words of Christ tell us that. Look at Matt. 13, part of verse 15,
where He warns, "Lest they should understand with their HEARTS and turn" to the spiritual
truth He is teaching.
I referred to civics at the beginning of this message, and I don't want to disappoint you by
not getting back to that subject. I see and hear all kinds of descriptions of government, but few
that are anywhere near accurate. There is a vast difference between Fascism, Socialism,
Communism, Democracy, Republic, etc. Hitler was a dictator, not a Socialist. Stalin was a
dictator, not a Communist. There is little difference between a democracy and a republic,
since both are led by the electorate (people) and enjoy freedom. A socialist government
is one that combines the resources of all the people to serve all the people, not excluding
any person. The early followers of Christ were socialists (Acts 2:44-47). Christ taught social
justice. He even added an Eleventh Commandment, Matt. 22:39, which He said was second
only to the first Commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." You can also find
this in Mark 12:28-34, and Luke 10:25-28. Understand this--and it is not my opinion, but the
explanation given in bible footnotes--the first four Commandments deal with the love for God,
while the last six deal with responsibilities toward other people. Christ knew people would not
likely cheat on the ones dealing directly with God, but they might try to slight other people. He
added His Eleventh Commandment to emphasize those six commandments.
I challenge you to read any one of the Gospels, but especially Matthew, and then explain
to me how you want to cut safety net programs, shortcut veterans' benefits and change social
security provisions. Those of you who say you want to secede from the Union or our president
isn't your president need to spend more time in scripture and less time in politics. Those of us
who served in the military didn't serve to protect any political party, and certainly not any who
don't want to be part of the Union. As a preacher of the Christian Gospel, I have to pray for
those who have relegated the United States to Hell because the election outcome was
disappointing. The bible tells us God controlled that election and Christ tells us how to treat
other people. He also tells us we can't serve God and mammon (money). For those so worried
about their money, I strongly suggest time spent in study and prayer.
Rev. Walbear
I HAD MY DREAM My message is a play on words used by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in his moving
speech, "I Have A Dream", delivered Aug. 28, 1963. It was the highlight of the American
civil rights movement. In a nation where people are continually arguing about personal
freedoms, it is fitting the most well known speeches are King's "Dream" and President
Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address". It has been 50 years since King proclaimed
his dream, and it has taken me that long to understand his feelings about freedom and
my feelings about the Christian church. King cared for his people, and I care for the
Christian church. Kings people were American citizens, but second class citizens at
best. American Christians are also American citizens, but many are making a mockery
of Christian principles and the church. While more people are now believers, many are
choosing to be spiritual members rather than denominational members. My numbers
are referenced from Time's Almanac and my personal experience.
Years ago, I had my dream. I didn't realize I would face many of the same problems
King faced, although I soon discovered the church and society leadership are very much
alike. King didn't have the opportunity to see how his dream would play out, and I believe
we both would be disappointed unless the rapture becomes reality. I'm not going to quote
the usual amount of scripture in this message, but I will begin by going to the little-read
Book of Hosea, which has only 14 chapters. Some readers refer to it as the book where
God's prophet is commanded to marry a whore and take her back after she continues
to be unfaithful. The book deals with people who stray from God's ways and His warnings
to repent, but that is the secondary reason. See if you can determine the primary reason
using unfulfilled dreams as a clue. I will explain in the latter part of the message.
After many years as a preacher/minister, my outlook is unhappily negative. Before
I answered the call to serve, I had my first eye-opening experience in a denominational
church university. In our first test of a bible course, the instructor left the room. I was
shocked and horrified when the students began exchanging answers. Cheating in a
bible test in a religious school? Yep. I didn't cheat, scored in the 90s, but wound up
in the bottom half of the marking curve. Welcome to a church based university. At the
end of the year I transferred out of there.
I lived in a rural community, and most of the people were very conservative. When
they learned I was studying to become a minister, they always asked what college I would
be attending. Most accepted that as okay, although some weren't certain it was conservative
enough. The next real shocker, however, came at the hands of other ministers. I expected
to join a group of dedicated, spiritual church leaders with the same goal I had--to win souls
for Christ. Wrong again. As a secular man told me, "There's never enough." The other
ministers had the same attitude. It was competition to secure more and bigger congregations
and to increase the offerings and pledges.
The first senior pastor I worked with was a pretty persuasive man. He talked the
congregation into deeding the church building to him. It was to be his retirement nest
egg. He also had a problem finding any of the offering for me. His treatment of scripture
left much to be desired. Certain parts of various bible books were not preached because
he didn't understand them and wanted no part of trying to understand them.
My goal, similar to King's, was to improve the physical and spiritual lives of people through
preaching, teaching, helping the poor, widows and children, as well as promoting the
brotherhood of men. Next I found that many pastors simply gave congregations what they
wanted, both in religion and society. They mostly quietly promoted ultra conservative politics.
Some even ran for public office. When elected, however, they did little to stem the growing
discrimination against Christianity.
As a newly ordained minister, I had often wondered why so many people I discussed
religion with disdained attending church. Most had gone to church earlier in their lives,
but now wanted no part of it. I found the organized church was mostly a mess that had
strayed far from Christ's principles. Bigger was better, and television enabled preachers
to establish church empires, complete with their own colleges. Apostasy began to take
over, and people did not bother to check references or quotes from these leaders. Some
churches found that a variety of social or fun activities brought people in. No matter
that teaching the Word was not much a part of things. People needed to have a good
time and feel good about themselves.
Today, Christians and Muslims are worshiping together even though Muslims do not
recognize Christ as Savior. A branch of the Lutherans has rewritten the bible. Never mind
that Rev. 22:18, 19 warns us not to change anything in scripture. There are new cults
springing up everywhere, mostly making women second class citizens. It seems every
journeyman reader of the bible fancies himself a Christian leader and pastor of his "new"
church. Other pastors pointed to many of the large megaministries, especially on
television, and talked about growing these types of followings. One big name minister
who has made a mint of money through sales of his book, now has a huge ministry
and supports the meld of Islam with Christianity. I talked with ministers of the "name
and claim" Pentecostal ministries, and went to scripture to see how that worked.
In researching the lives of the Apostles, the early church builders, the missionaries,
and countless others, including the pre-Christ prophets, I found most suffered miserable
lives and claimed no rewards on earth. In fact, if you study scripture in the New Testament,
you are told clearly your heavenly rewards come not on earth, but in heaven. When I
discussed my findings with these "successful" pastors, they brushed this information
aside. The adage "you get more flies with honey than vinegar" was applied. People will
not want to commit to Christ or come to your church or ministry if there is the probability
they may have to undergo unpleasant things, I was warned. Who wants to invite bad
experiences?
When I showed politicians and church leaders that the Parable of Talents (Matt. 25:
14-30) taught us the rich man had gotten his money by cheating (verses 24 and 26),
and this by the rich man's own confession, they chose to ignore me. Their explanation
was verse 29 that says to those who have, more will be given. I got the brushoff when
I discussed the explanation of Luke 19:11-27, the Parable of the Minas. They said it
was a repeat of Matt. 25. It was not, because money here was given to buy loyalty
of followers who were rewarded not with actual cash, but the control of municipalities
which, of course, represented money and influence. Here again, in verse 22, the
nobleman admitted he cheated to gain money and power.
I know that many readers of this message will look up these references in scripture,
hoping I am wrong. These passages throw cold water on the flames of making money,
which, after all, is the building block of the carnal world. So much of what I experienced
was Scripturally wrong, but trying to correct it was like rowing upstream. It was not what
the pastors or people wanted.
Meanwhile, the power and influence of money and lack of human decency began to
grow in the mid 1850s, and the result is tearing America apart today. For plantation and
businessmen in the South to feed their greed, it was necessary to have slavery. Although
conservatives proudly talk about freedom, they did not free their slaves with adoption of
the Constitution. Slaves weren't freed until 1863, 74 years after adoption of the U.S.
Constitution. At the time of the Civil War, politics in the South was dominated by the
Southern Democrats. In the 1950s, the States' Rights" issue again arose, and many
of the Democrats in the South became "Blue Dogs", or converted to Republicans. Quite
simply, States' Rights was the issue of slavery. Our founding fathers did not object to
slavery, and family fortunes were built on the backs of slaves.
This is politics, you scream, and you are correct. Politics and religion go hand in
hand, as you saw in the recent re-election of a black man to the presidency. We need
to go back to the 1850s now to see how much of our church world began to lose its
way. Lincoln was a Whig and joined the Republican party soon after it was formed.
He was considered a Liberal by church denomination, and he was not liked by the
Republican party. By skillful campaign planning he won the party nomination and
election. He wanted to free the slaves, and when he ran for re-election, he was
actually considered a Unionist, although records usually show him a Republican.
The Christian Southerners who controlled those states right from the founding of
our nation, were supporters of slave ownership, and passed it off as states' sovereignty.
Their Christian walk was not according to Christ's teaching. I lived and worked in the
deep south in the 1950s, so I know exactly how our "free" society worked. Blacks were
second class citizens and looked down upon. I was relatively young then and not at all
involved in the civil rights movement. In fact, I was annoyed at the occasional
inconvenience of protests. However, I did not share the separation practiced by the
southern whites.
Lincoln and the slave issue in the mid 1800s caused the Republican party to split
into a conservative and splinter group known as the "Radicals". Today they are known
as the Ultra Conservatives or Right Wing Radicals. This has grown to compose a
group of people who are obsessed with wanting certain outcomes of situations with
absolutely no compromise or change. We recently had a perfect example of this type
of "reasoning" by a complaint against the rendition of our national anthem prior to
the Super Bowl. A critic complained that the anthem belongs to America and it should
be sung in the traditional arrangement. That means it should be sung as the critic
wants it sung. The rendition was overwhelmingly approved by listeners, who comprise
the majority. This is constitutional. It also shows that the Radicals are indeed Radicals.
It wouldn't be so bad if the Radicals used research and reasoning before obstructing
the workings of a republic or democracy. They do neither, and many are part of church
congregations. Unfortunately many pastors are part of this group. Many of the group
appear to be hated filled. One pastor screamed to his congregation that parents should
whack the limp wrists of a son so he wouldn't become a homosexual. Another shouted
we should pen gay people in an electric fence. Another said that eventually gays would
burn Christians at the stake. Mummified fetuses would be stored in the bodies of women
who took birth control pills. The pastor of the Westboro Baptist church and some of his
congregation demonstrate at the funerals of our soldiers. This is to protest America's
gay sin. That the soldiers were "straight" doesn't matter.
We have gone from obstinate disagreement on the part of these Radicals to the
actual promotion of hatred. King saw this happening over 50 years ago, and had the
guts to stand up for and die for the cause. Here is what King had to say about love
and hatred. "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love
harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it." I see bare hatred in many of the
policies supported by the Christian churches, and the pastors go right along with it.
Thinking and reasoning people don't, whether they are Christians, or of any other
faith or no faith. At times I am ashamed and embarrassed to be called a Christian,
and especially a preacher.
The Radicals' attack on women ranks right up there with the Arab and other third
world practices. Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, and
incidents in domestic violence has fallen by over 50% since then. The term of the
Act has run out, and the Republicans in the House of Representatives, are refusing
to reinstate it. This is not under the leadership of the House Majority leader, a
Republican, but a Tea Party committee chairman. During the recent Republican
pre-convention presidential debate, most candidates showed an almost complete
lack of understanding or knowledge of biblical scripture. They quoted the bible and
talked about their faith and connection with God, Himself. Their goal, of course,
was to get the votes of churched people. Thanks to the lack of challenges by church
pastors and leaders, these snake oil wannabes did get a lot of votes from church
members who never questioned some of the most bazaar statements I ever heard.
Candidates said if they had to choose between their wife and mother of their
children living or a fetus being aborted to protect the health and life of the mother,
there would be no abortion. They said they wanted women who claimed a miscarriage
to be required to undergo a physical examination to be certain it wasn't an abortion.
Those claiming to be supporters of the Constitution apparently never bothered to
read the Declaration of Independence which states "that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Apparently the slave owners
and Radicals couldn't understand the word "Creator" means God. Of course, then,
how could they possibly understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The symbol for
Christians is the cross, not the dollar sign.
After the recent presidential election, nearly every church person and pastor I
met lamented the nation was going down because Obama was elected. I asked
them if they thought God lost control. Isn't this His universe? Doesn't scripture
tell us God appoints all world and national leaders, whether good or bad? That's
the exact message in all my bibles--I have many translations in more than one
language. Is God's master plan for the universe--as given to us in the bible--now
not going to be fulfilled? Should we forget the prophets, the Apostles and Christ's
teaching? Have the majority of voters not cast their ballots as God directed, whether
they are Christians or of any other faith or no faith at all? Should our church people
and pastors take over running the universe? Don't the Liberals and Socialists have
any faith in Christianity or the organized church, or--could it be--they believe God
controls the universe? The election has been over for three months, and I still see
very nasty name calling on the internet, radio, tv and publications berating those
who didn't vote for Romney. And church people are among the perpetrators.
Why don't more church people and pastors know and understand the teaching of
Christ? He did not teach about capitalism and financial profit making. His message
was social justice, exactly as quoted in our Declaration of Independence. He taught
goodness, the social net, health, healing, food, care, giving, respect, honor, humility,
loyalty, justice and truth. If you read the four Gospels, you can't possibly be a Christain
and not follow His teaching.
Now, I pray you understand King's deep feeling that motivated him to do something
for his people. That was the feeling I promised to explain to you when I began this
message. Hosea was directed by God to take a wife and take her back each time
she proved unfaithful. Hosea had to feel as God did when the Jews continued to
fall away time after time. He showed mercy and sent warning after warning trying
to wake them up. The Jews were His people. It hurts terribly when your own family
chooses to stray and you know judgment must come.
Now you also should know that is the way I feel about Christianity when I see the
pastors and church leaders continue to disregard Christ's teaching and place the
emphasis on other things. These other things are all man's goals and ideas, and
all too frequently are in direct opposition to scripture. As an ordained Christian
minister, I am ashamed of the conduct by people and pastors who claim to be
Christians. They are widening the gap between committed followers of Jesus
Christ and those I can only label as pretenders. The example we give will not
build our faith, and has already brought shame upon those of us who continue
to believe and try to carry out the great commission He gave us in Mark 16:15-16.
I found it to be prophetic when I served in the military, because my unit patch
was a silver sword with the words, "Follow Me" (John 21:19b). I pray these
"religious" people return to the Word of God.
Rev. Walbear
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