My Daily Journal:
I was listening to a story on the radio this week about a pastor who was in hot water with the church because he intentionally disobeyed specific church doctrine by performing a same-sex marriage ceremony between his son and another man through his office in the church.
His justification was to quote Matthew 22:39b, “‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
His interpretation, and the one that is commonly used of that verse, is that it means we all just need to get along and let everyone have their own way and believe whatever they want to believe. Compromise. Coexist.
Jesus did state the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. And, we are, undoubtedly, called to demonstrate that love. But, if a person is in grave and eternal danger, it is not love to encourage them to stay on that path. If a sheep has gone astray, the shepherd does not simply encourage them to have a good journey and support them in their self-professed sheep freedom. The good shepherd tries to rescue them.
Matthew 10:34 states it clearly in Jesus’ own words, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Ephesians 6:17 calls the sword, “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.”
I believe in a God of love and compassion. I believe in eternal peace with Him. I also believe in the truth that there is something called sin and whether we want our acts to be considered sin or not is not up to us, it is up to the word of God.
I am not stating this to judge or to be judgmental. But I think that cafeteria christians, who pick and choose which verses they like as if the bible were a buffet line, are like false teachers and shepherds who are not caring for their sheep.
The love for Jesus and His Word and His Spirit and His Truth must come above all other love. Above love for neighbor. Above love for mother and father. Above love for self. The truth is divisive. You must pick a side. Do you chose truth or compromise? Do you choose to follow the one true God, or just coexist?
Hebrews 4:12 states it well: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
My Answers:
11.
a.
Acknowledge Him before others. Love Christ above all (family, peace) Take up cross and follow Him.
b.
Be a prophet so those who welcome me will be blessed. Be a righteous person so those who receive me will receive the reward or righteousness
12.
a.
Christ came for truth not compromise. People with free choice will choose and some will choose unwisely. Those who do, those of this world (sin and death) will hate those not of this world (light and life), but never more than they hate Jesus
b.
The church is twisted by those who seek to use Jesus words for their agenda not His. They pick and choose the message they want, ignoring truth to justify their sin
13.
Understand the cost – do not begin if cannot commit all – Jesus requires all. You cannot continue your old life and old ways and be a new life and follower of Christ – that is a lie
14.
welcomes you, welcomes me, welcomes the own who sent me. Do unto the least is the path to truly give unto God.
The Notes are Good 
Are you back yet?
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