Called to Communicate, Not Criticize

New Prayer Need:

Donna Johnson, daughter of Charles and Alma; two surgeries today, September 8th – high risk due to previous surgeries.

Good Morning!

I have been thinking about the church in Gainesville Florida that is calling for Christians to burn a Koran on 9/11. I disagree with this very strongly.

Our call is not to criticize but to communicate. We are the bearers of the message of reconciliation – not correction. God is more than capable to apply the pressures that lead to correction. Our task is to present a message that draws men and women to Christ. Here’s what Jesus said:

John 12:27-36 (English Standard Version)
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 35So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

Does burning a Koran lift Jesus up? No! Burning Korans merely serves to anger those who are already turned off to the message of Jesus – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Burning Korans will allow those who are in opposition to the Gospel an opportunity to misconstrue the Message.

I remember an incident that is recorded for us in Scripture. Some religious leaders wanted to test Jesus and His adherence to the Law – so they brought to Him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. According to the Law, the woman should have been put to death by stoning – so too should have the man, by the way. What did Jesus tell the religious leaders? Do you remember?

John 8:2-11 (English Standard Version)
2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

“Let him who is without sin should cast the first stone…” How many stones were tossed? None – because the only one there worthy to cast a stone was Jesus Himself. After all the religious leaders had skulked away, what did Jesus ask the woman? And what did He tell her to do?

Righteousness is not found in our actions but rather in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Think on that for a minute.

Isaiah correctly stated that our personal righteousness is equivalent to soiled rags. Paul tells us that none of us are righteous – not even one. The one and only righteous person is Jesus Christ – and in Him is our only opportunity to be reconciled with God. It is not what we do but what He did that makes us righteous before God. We can be heterosexual straight – and still not be righteous. We can believe in the right to life (and I do) and miss the mark. We can attend, fast, and tithe until we are blue in the face – and still not be at one with God … if we are not trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Lift Jesus up, folks. Don’t point out another’s shortcomings – point to His love for those of us who aren’t perfect. Make Jesus the focal point – not some action that is sinful. Are sins wrong? Yes – but Jesus died for those sins – and that’s the message we need to give to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.


Agape’



Mr. Jim