A Common Sense Belief In God, Part1

    
 This is the year 2013 it is a time for Soul searching. There is a strange transformation taking place in the world.  This transformation is revealing relevant and irrelevant issues.  Once these issues are revealed and addressed,  the attitudes and the belief structure of many are exposed and because the rule of of Common sense does not apply, the world we once knew will never be the same.  There is also a  transformation taking place in the churches.  Worship services are morphing into an entertainment platform that rival the nightspots and concert halls and worship services as we once knew will never be the same.  The “clubbing” transformation is taking place whether the “righteous core” admits it or not.  It is taking place because many are interpreting the Words of God  to uphold the natural order rather than the spiritual entitlements of mankind.     

     I was listening to a Sunday morning broadcast and the speaker was giving a cliché driven message and one of the cliché used over and over was,  how many of you know, “The blood of Jesus will never lose its  power.”  This is a true assessment and when presented as a question the conditioned response is a hearty “amen.”  Based upon the response I was presented with the implication that something new, profound and exciting had been presented to the listener.  Another Sunday morning broadcaster spoke of great favor and blessing. One even extolled the idea that miracles were about to rain down.  But I was acutely aware of the pain and suffering that the follower’s of Jesus endured and is enduring even in this day.  John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, the one who introduced the Gospel of the Kingdom, endured a life of poverty, and  suffered and died in jail.  All of the Apostles with the exception of John, brother of James died a horrible death.  Jesus said, in his messages to the church in Revelation 2:10, “ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”  Now in this Book, in this chapter, in this verse Jesus is not talking to Paul nor is he talking to Moses, he is not even speaking to the children of Israel, in the symbolic language of the scripture, he is talking directly to the  church.  In Matthew 17:4  Peter became excited when he saw Jesus talking with Moses and Elias.  He wanted to build three structures, three tabernacles or three buildings so they would have a place to sit and listen to these great teachers.  In Matthew 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  Common sense speaks great wisdom here.

     I am confused when the Gospel of the Kingdom is presented as a glorious journey filled with sunshine and prosperity.   I am confused when the message of Jesus Christ is presented in a self serving manner designed to bring richness and honor to the messenger.  I am confused when the journey becomes the focal point rather than the destination.