Thursday, October 05, 2006

#170: Crimes in Christ's Name: Exposed

The main thrust in this complete blog is to expose what organized churches are presenting as genuine Christianity. Along with that, it clearly displays how one must live in order to comply with what is commanded by Jesus Christ in the New Testament: against the backdrop that most Christian religions claim their theology is authentic. I challenge any and all religions and individuals to compare their beliefs against the 60-some New Testament verses in this particular post. These verses are the ones the clergy per se don’t adhere to, and do not desire the members of their churches to even know they exist.

Of course, when challenged on these verses, the clergy most likely has a ready-made defense, by watering them down so as to make them impotent, show how they do not apply to our modern culture, or some other mealy-mouth reason to exclude them from their teaching.

I have already published this post several times on this blog, and believe it is important enough to reiterate by presenting it again. To say the least, this section is shocking, and yet there are another several dozen hard-core verses I do not bring to light at this time.

No one can avoid living according to these verses and claim to be a Bible-believing Christian. If they do, they will only be wasting their time, money and devotion on a cause that will lead anywhere but the presence of Almighty God. It is not an easy thing to live as Christ dictates; in fact, it will be the most challenging and unnatural life according to human standards.

If the Christian religion did decide to implement these hard-edged verses, I personally guarantee the vast majority of churches would collapse for lack of membership. Once people are accustomed to living an easy life in the name of Christianity, it would be extremely distasteful, if not impossible, to live as the New Testament requires.

Of course, many 'prosperity' churches, etc. rely on the Old Testament to shore-up their version of Christianity. As I mentioned in post 169, the Old Testament was a totally different dispensation: Their reward was not heavenly but earthly. I recommend you read that post also, if not many more. I cover a variety of hot-button issues that are, at the very least, controversial.

As you read these hard-edged verses, don’t scowl at me for compiling them in one section, but if you must, sneer at the author (Jesus Christ). If you don’t like what you are reading, frown at me for my emphasis on certain verses or the comments I make after some. Just remember, these verses are taken from the instruction book that teaches how to live life at its best, and is accredited by the One who created us. I did not alter any, but copied them verbatim (word for word).

Conspiracy of Silence This blog is a repeat of # 127 with a few small changes; it is that important.

Jesus Christ is going to take off His gloves, roll up His sleeves, and spare no punches as He exposes the irreparable and deadly damage organized religion per se has done to Him and His cause. This is audaciously said because He himself will make His case by using only verses from His New Testament. Even though most of what is written is a repeat of what already has been said elsewhere in “Religion’s Crime Against God,” it contains much more bold and descriptive language.

The Christian clergy are the main culprits; they forbid these upcoming verses by remaining silent on their behalf; that is a conspiracy. But that does not excuse the laity who naively believe what is preached or not preached from their pulpit. The laymen/women believe they have fulfilled their weekly duty as Christians simply by their obedience to the command in Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. . . .”

I am certain that if a majority of those church-going hypocrites were to become sincere about their devotion to God, they would spend time learning what the New Testament actually teaches/commands and not take the word of the money- and number-hungry “professionals.” They can’t teach what is written in Scripture with or without any kind of passionate intensity; if they did, many who go to church only for the joyride would quickly leave. Christ will vividly display over 60 verses that require everyone who claims to be a Christian to make a maximum effort to obey these commands without leaning on modern-day alibis.

First of all, we must always remember that Christianity consists of two distinct parts. The first all-important part, God’s doing, is passive in that Christians simply must believe (with child-like faith) what was accomplished for them by God through Jesus Christ. If that passive belief which gives Salvation is GENUINE, it will lead to the second major part, man’s/woman’s duty, which is an active obedience to what the New Testament commands, including ALL of the seemingly secluded, hard-edged verses. Again, our part of Christianity is not an option but an obligation. Repeating, obedience to these verses gives no one Salvation; this obedience must be a RESULT which authenticates genuine Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When this section is read, it will unequivocally demonstrate who are and who are not real Christians. Of course, many can/will easily deny the charges the New Testaments makes and just go on living as they have been taught since who-knows-when, by you-know-who.

Caution: The following section may be extremely disturbing to those who feel they are Bible-believing Christians, but at the same time, they may not be familiar with what the New Testament teaches. The reason being, many of the upcoming hard-edged verses, never before seen by some, are the ones church leaders don’t want anyone to know about. It will be difficult for some to believe they really come from the New Testament. Therefore, since these verses are forbidden (hidden by silence), reader's discretion is advised. All verses are taken from the New International Version of the New Testament.

1st Corinthians 15:58. “. . . Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. . . .”

Luke 13:24. “Make EVERY EFFORT to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” [emphasis added].

2nd Peter 3:14. “. . . make every effort to be found SPOTLESS, blameless and at peace with him.” [emphasis added].

Romans 14:19. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.”

1st John 3:9. “No one who is born of God will continue to sin.”

Philippians 2:5. “Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus.”

Luke 12:33. “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”

1st John 2:6. “Whoever claims to live in him MUST walk as Jesus did.” [emphasis added].

Luke 16:15. “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

Luke 1:53. “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”

John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble.”

James 2:5. “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him?”

1st John 3:6. “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.”

Luke 10:27. “He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.’” [emphasis added]. Prerequisite—We must love God with our all in order to have eternal life. How does one know if he/she truly loves God? The answer is below.

1st John 5:3. “This is love for God; to obey his commands.”

1st Corinthians 16:22. “If anyone does not love the Lord [displayed by obedience to all He commands] a curse be on him.” [emphasis added].

2nd Corinthians 13:5. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless of course, you fail the test?” No cheating.

Matthew 19:16. “Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ . . . 21: Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. THEN COME, FOLLOW ME.’” [emphasis added]–There is a prerequisite before anyone can follow Christ."

Luke 12:33. “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Luke 17:6. “He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it will obey you.’”

Philippians 2:3. “Consider others better than yourselves.”

John 3:36. "Whoever rejects the son [as displayed by disobedience and the way one lives] will not see life, for God’s WRATH remains on him,” [emphasis added]. As we can see, God has good reasons to get angry. This is a sobering verse, which means: All who don't believe or do believe in God but reject Jesus Christ have a price over their heads: God's wrath.

Matthew 10:34. “I did not come to bring peace but a sword . . .” 36: “a man’s enemies will be members of his own household.”

Ephesians 5:1. “Be imitators of God. . . .”

Galatians 5:14. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 14:33. “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Is this a farcical command?

1st Corinthians 10:24. “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

1st John2:6. “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

1st Corinthians 11:1 (the apostle Paul is speaking). “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” There are several more verses that in essence say the exact same thing.

Matthew 5:24. “Be perfect.”

Matthew 19:23. “. . . I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

1st Corinthians 15:2. “By this gospel you are saved, IF you HOLD FIRMLY to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” [emphasis added]. Where is eternal security (once saved, always saved)?

Luke 6:20. “Blessed are you who are poor. . . .” 24: “But woe to you who are rich.” Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition. The meaning of rich: 1) having more than enough of material possessions. There are many other verses in the New Testament where Christ NEVER has a good word to say about the rich, but always bad-mouths them. If you don’t believe that Christ never has a good word for the rich or wealthy, prove me wrong with the New Testament. I welcome your challenge.

2nd Corinthians 13:11. “Aim for perfection.”

Luke 9:23. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself.”

Colossians 3:2. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

1st Thessalonians 5:17. “. . . pray continually . . .” Is this possible?

James 4:4. “. . . Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

1st Peter 1:4. “Be holy, because I am Holy.”

Luke 11:23. “He who is not with me is against me . . .”

Luke 14:26. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple.”

Matthew 10:37. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; . . .”

1st Peter 2:21. “. . . Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps,”

Mark 13:13. “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

2nd Timothy 3:12. “In fact, EVERYONE who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” [emphasis added]. Does that mean even in America, where we have freedom of religion?

1st Corinthians 15:19. “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” What should Christians be doing that would make people pity them? Definitely not what they are doing in this modern culture. Do you personally know any Christians that you pity?

Luke 6:26. “Woe when all men speak well of you.”

Matthew 17:20. “. . . if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Luke 19:27 (Christ speaking). “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them here and kill them in front of me.” Well, excuse me. I thought you loved everyone—am I being factitious?

Luke 12:49-51. “I have come to bring fire on earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! . . . Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.”

2nd Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” [a superhuman spiritual being].

Luke 18:8, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” The answer is clear; since we don't see any mountains being moved or other such things being done by so-called Christians, the answer is no. Most likely, Christ will not find much, if any, faith on earth. Oh, but you may say, “I am saved, born again, and filled with the Spirit.” You think so? Does this post prove your holiness?

Luke 12:19. “And, I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. . . .’”

Matthew 7:19. “Every tree (“Christian”) that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Not by what they say. [emphasis added].

Matthew 5:11. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you.”

Matthew 10:23. “When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.” Is that the reason the USA is the most powerful “christian” nation in the world? Either we are wrong or the Bible is wrong.

Mark 4:19. “but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

Obedience: The remaining verses will be for those who downplay the importance of obedience.

2nd John 1:6. “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.”

Acts 5:32. “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God will give to those who obey him.”

Romans 15:18. “. . . leading the gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done–. . .”

Romans 16:26. “. . . by the commands of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him.”

Hebrews 5:9. “. . .he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

1st Peter 4:17. “. . . what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

1st John 2:3. “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.”

1st John 3:24. “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them.”

Revelation 14:12. “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”

The New Testament tells a sobering story of what real Christianity was meant to be. How could what is now called “christianity” get so far from the what the Bible teaches? Answer: unholy men who desire prestige, power and financial gain.

Only those who are or desire to be genuine, Bible-believing Christians will make EVERY EFFORT to adhere to these Scriptures. If the New Testament doesn’t tell what Christianity consists of, what does? Remember, all humans are flawed; therefore, what we teach is flawed, including this author. Stick with the Holy Scripture and you will never go wrong.

6 comments:

Jay said...

Al for your eyes only.
This post reminds me of the scripture about getting the plank out of your own eye before you can get the splinter out of your neighbors eye. I am sure you think the speck is in your eye and the plank is in everybody else’s.
It’s wonderful that you listed all those great scriptures. Because when the truth is put out with Gods holy word it is really the only thing that will draw a man to Christ. On the first scripture you listed, is this a piece of the plank in your eye? Another one I noticed was the one about selling your possessions and giving to the poor. Are you obeying this one? Have you uprooted any trees lately? If not are you disqualified as a Christian too?
You generalize to much Al, how do you know what’s going on in every church in every community. How can you lump them all together? Oh I know you have the pass word to this blog. There is a biblical remedy that a believer is do when one comes across false doctrine or false practice’s of Christ’s church, and I know you know them because you have read your Bible many times.. Now if we disagree about something in the church and you can not find another person to go with you to turn your brother from his sin. Then and only then should you leave that church and find another. If you keep having the same problem from church to church maybe it is you who is wrong. If you are not wrong then start your own church.
You listed many scripture and I confess I do miss the mark on a lot of them that you posted. My hope is in Christ and what He did and with His help I will keep aiming to those marks and getting closer to a bulls eye. Just because I don’t get a bulls eye all the time dose make me a false Christian.
Thank You Lord.
Here is one scripture I leave for you Al. Phi.8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

JC said...

Thanks for sharing what your PERSONAL opinion of Christianity is.

Anonymous said...

This blog gives Christians food for thought. In this world no one or anything is perfect. Never will be.
God does not just see the outside of us like the world does, but He sees our hearts and what's in them.
The Holy Spirit is given to all all those who believe in Jesus Christ, not just a select few.
At any given time there are baby and mature Christians all making the journey out of FAITH, not deeds.
And not one follower will attain perfection in the eye of God. Fight the good fight, we may not always win the battle but the war is already won. How do we know? Because our faith tells us so.
Just the fact that people are seeking God, makes me happy. They may not be doing it the correct way at times but that's where the mature Christians come in and feed the younger ones, as well as the world.

JRD

JC said...

Jay, thanks for your comments and questions. I will address them all. If I have a plank in my eyes, I would be the last to know. Nevertheless, my plank, if I have one, is not as bad as those like yourself and some affiliated with organized churches; they are totally blind. There is little help for the blind.


Don’t you know why Jesus required His disciples to sell their possessions and give to those in need? Answer: what right does anyone who belongs to Christ deserve to have more then their needs, while others are without. Equality is the theme in Christianity. It does not say sell (all) your possessions and then be left destitute. Remember, anything that one owns but does not truly need is undesirable, because it could be a source of pride and false security. And yes, I did that long ago, in obedience to the command, and I have been blessed many time over for that obedience.


Have you ever read Luke 6:20? “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” Anyone who claims to be rich spiritually is lying to himself. Regardless how spiritually blessed one is, even in God’s eyes; they are still poor. Verses that seem impossible are in Scripture for one specific reason: to tell everyone their little faith has a long way to go. That does not mean we should not be actively heading in that direction. Our ability to uproot trees and the such are there for that specific reason. Today, God can not uproot a tree through me, but that does not mean He won’t use me tomorrow for the purpose. Don’t forget, Christianity is a supernatural religion; that means all things are possible. Why else would Jesus have made sure those sort of verses remained in the New Testament. That is the reason I had to include it in God’s list–not mine--of hard-edged verses.


Just show me one time I included all churches as being on the wrong path or with false doctrine. The majority, yes but never all of them. Read before you write.


I haven’t been to a church building per se, in many years, I could just see the reaction of anyone if I said, “Your church is leaving out much of what the Bible commands.” They would say “Good bye.” Now I am doing just that with this website, for those who care to know. As for starting my own church, I will throw that same question to you. But you don’t have to because there is one on every corner that believes as you do.


If you were truly aiming at those marks (verses) you would not have made excuses as to why you cannot adhere to them.


The best advice–even though you did not ask for any–is for you to get away from whatever church you belong to, instead use that time to read the Bible and then do what it commands. And remember, don’t leave out the seemingly impossible ones. There are no friendly suggestions in the New Testament, just commands. If you do that, there still is hope for you. God bless.

Jay said...

Hi Al
Just spotted this reply, I will try to come across as nice as possible. My replies don’t seem to go that way. It is probably my writing skills that I may come to you as confrontational. Believe me Al I feel that you are a brother in Christ. Your love for Him and your desire for every one to come to Him is genuine and sincere. Anyway that is what I pick up from reading your post. Thanks for responding.

Now to reply to some of the things in your reply.
Q “What right does anyone who belongs to Christ deserve to have more then their needs, while others are without.”
Good question. What if God chooses to bless someone with a lot of money. Examples: Solomon, David, Job, or even the young rich ruler in the new testament who’s god was his money and possession. Lets let God be God. If we are rich or poor. This doesn’t give anyone the excuse to sin and not help that person in need when we see the need.

Q “It does not say sell (all) your possessions and then be left destitute”
But it dose say they sold their houses and land and gave and brought the prices they received. From the story about Ananias and his wife it tells me they were giving everything they had. Peter also told them that they were not obligated to give it all, so that’s is why I think the early church was giving everything. This is one of the scriptures on however you interpret it, that it won’t cost us your soul. How does Luke 6:20 uphold your thinking about the rich?

Q “Have you ever read Luke 6:20? Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.”
This is something that you could debate. Mathew 5:3 adds spirit after the poor. This is the same record of the same happening. Jesus was taking about a spiritual poorness. (This how I interpret it) Until we accept that fact that we are spiritually dead, or poor and that are righteousness can only come through Jesus, not by anything we do. Then we will find comfort. Just like he was talking about spiritual mourning. This was not a mourning of physical lost but a realization of our sinfulness. The comfort comes from the Holy Spirit when we except Jesus and the fact of how poor we are in are own righteousness . And then we can know for certain that we are saved..

Q “Just show me one time I included all churches as being on the wrong path or with false doctrine.”
I can’t, and I have been reading you from post 100. I also can’t remember you telling anyone to seek a place with fellow believer, in follow the instruction of the apostle, to not forsake the fellowship. I think this is what got me involved in posting on your site. There is a greater danger today, more so then ever before, of today’s little c church of misleading the Big C Church. It is with the purpose driven this and the purpose driven that. The name it and clam people., and now the emergent church telling people you can shape your god into any one you want. Now what are we to do? Are we a suppose to throw up are hands and say they are so wrong so lets get out of here. Is that what are role model did? No he got up and spoke boldly God’s truth and died for it. Now if you are comfortable of doing nothing in you surroundings except posting a blog ,that might be ok for you. For me I am going to be in that fellowship, and when I think something is wrong I am going to use God’s word to prove the wrong or if I’m mistaken I am glad some corrected me.

Q “If you were truly aiming at those marks (verses) you would not have made excuses as to why you cannot adhere to them.”
The mark I am aiming at are not (verses) The marks I am aiming at are the marks in the good news He has instructed me to do. Yes I do read the bible, how else will see the marks. I don’t make excuses when I miss, I ask for forgiveness and truely repent. And I do this not by my power but by His power, that is how I will overcome.

In closing. I am sorry I can not take all of your advise. I am going to stay involved with the little c church. That’s what the Head of the BIG C Church has commanded us to do. Believe it or not I still have time to read my bible. With Brotherly Love Jay…

JC said...

Jay, To each his own. God bless.