|
Exclusive Intelligence Examiner Report
|
Can the self-absorbed be true Christians?
|
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
|
|
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
|
Narcissism and self-gratification have reached pandemic levels in society today. It seems to be expanding with each generation. Scripture has been twisted so badly that loving your neighbor must include accepting those who hate Christians and their beliefs. The Bible speaks of this iniquity—immoral behavior.
Thanks to lukewarm pastors and parents who are but token “Christians,” no longer does the populace seek guidance and solace in His Word. For many, this compilation of books is dismissed as boring and unreadable. Such is the decline in the classroom, the church, and the home.
With the moral decay of our nation, people have begun to equate themselves as gods. As the prince of Tyre, who claimed he was divine, found out:
|
“I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring thee down to the pit... Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man... Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 28:7-10).
|
Is this the fate that awaits America and its inhabitants? Unless we, as a people and a nation, repent and ask for His forgiveness, this iniquity will continue to stain our souls.
The respect we show each other is also sorely lacking. This is one of the fundamental principals of ethics. We have been instructed to be devoted to one another in brotherly love. As Christians, we are part of one big family.
Paul writes in Romans 12: 9-10:
|
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”.
|
Today, respect is not earned in the biblical sense. With
the popularity of the prosperity doctrine preached by many, those who have the most “stuff” are now revered. We were
warned against this in 1 Samuel 16:7:
|
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”.
|
Likewise, God says in 1 Samuel 2:30: “...the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” God values hearts more than worldly possessions.
God emphasizes many times over that we are to respect Him, others, and ourselves. We have been made in His image, and thus we are to be admirable, praiseworthy and good. Showing kindness and mercy honors Him.
Those who profess to be Christian, yet treat others with complete disregard, bear forth no fruit. By exuding narcissistic characteristics, the love of God does not flow through them. These lost souls do not realize we have all been created for a purpose, no matter one’s social status.
In Proverbs 14:31-34:
|
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”.
|
We are living in a time where liberal doctrines have invaded the church. The psychological affect of this has lead to much of the apathy we witness today. The mantra of “go along to get along” exerts tremendous pressure, and has likely resulted in the massive decline of church memberships.
Today’s society reflects this decline in the amount of senseless violence, rampant crime, and utter despair felt by millions of people. Satan’s plan to divide and conquer is succeeding.
This lawlessness was written about by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12: “for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
No longer do we greet people on the streets with a smile and a kind word. What better way to represent the love of Christ? This author has viewed many videos of people passing a note to individuals on the street. Each note contains an uplifting message, and the resultant introspection by the receiver amplifies how important this kindness is.
In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus explains what is to come:
|
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”.
|
It is time to expel those who distort His Word for filthy
lucre. It is imperative that we exorcise ourselves from these minions of Satan and return to Jesus. We need to recognize the magnitude of God’s power and majesty, submit to Him and depart from sin. 
|
