They Walk Among Us

Good morning! A thing not unheard of lurks among us. They call each other using code words to set up meetings. Their secret conclaves are an enigma to outsiders. They leave wife, friend, even television behind to pursue their arcane arts. Yes, these persons walk among us. Their language is similar to ours, but yet different in so many ways. Communication with them can be difficult for those with normal human vocabulary. I kept vigil with the widow of one of those worst afflicted last night. The man tried to suck me into the dark vortex with his siren song, but my resistance was firm. While the wizard of the wireless went off to his war wagon chuckling with sadistic glee, we spoke of another group. A group that to outsiders went by the same name as we do, Christian.

To one who does not believe in Christ, we belong to a group that is so very confusing. A group of Christians over there kisses snakes. Another group with the same name doesn't dance or watch movies. This group of Christians claims that a few dollars given to the ministry each and every week will result in untold wealth and prosperity falling from heaven. That other group speaks a similar message but adds job promotions, restoration to homes lost to foreclosure, and cured cancer to the list of benefits. We have heard of a messiah in Texas who died with his followers in a fire. A different messiah took all of his followers to the grave with him through poisoning. All of these groups used the same name we do. Some groups send visitors to your front door, other groups buy remote properties and go off by themselves to live. Which group is correct? A glance in a phone book in any small town will yield a dozen or more denominations to choose from in becoming a Christian. Are they all the same?

We have a wondrous and simple, yet awesomely deep and complex gospel. There are four main gospels, a history of the early church, more than a dozen epistles, and a book of marvelous revelation in the New Testament. We also have the psalms, proverbs, histories, stories, and prophecies of the Old Testament to learn from and work with. The problem seems to come when a person falls to the temptation to seize on some smaller part of the whole message. Yes, the Lord does make a promise to Israel about prospering the nation if the people will bring their tithes into the temple. Jesus also tells us that in this world we will have tribulations. We cannot seize on the message of prosperity while ignoring that we will face tribulation. Paul reminded us that he had learned to be content with little or much in his life. Paul was not more sinful during times of poverty, nor can we say that he was more faithful when God blessed him with plenty.

I am glad that this pastor on television purchased the home of his dreams through God's providence. Praise God! But many Christian's lost their homes to this recession and they may not be restored to those homes. One Christian is prosperous, many are in tribulation. I will not judge that those without homes are sinful, nor that the pastor with his dream home is without sin. However, we make a mistake when we use the one example to say that all Christians will be prosperous, or the other examples to say that all Christians are doomed to poverty. You can see which message would be received more eagerly by those who do not believe in Jesus.

Another minister spoke of using affirmations with prayer to accomplish what we want. I tried it. Not for a day or a week, but for a year, the time period the minister specified. I can affirm that by using affirmations you will improve your penmanship. None of the stuff I wrote down day after day happened. At the end of the exercise in writing by hand, I was reminded of the vain repetitions Jesus condemned. Sometimes God lets us do the thing before reminding us that Jesus did address that in his ministry. It is easy to seek shortcuts to salvation or sanctification. Jesus is in charge, and with Paul I am confident that Jesus will complete the good work He began in you and in me, and in them other folks in that group over yonder. I don't have all the right answers, but then, neither do they. I do know that Jesus is the right answer. If you want to go by the name of Christian, remember who is the Christ.

Bucky