An Independent Bible Believer Ministry
Where Do You Stand?It is human to stand with the crowd, but it is Divine to stand-alone. It is of human-nature to follow the people and drift with the tide. But it is Christ-like to follow doctrine and principle to stem that tide. It is natural to compromise conscience to follow the social and religious fashion of the day, for sake of worldly-gain and worldly-pleasure. But it is divine to sacrifice both, on the altar of truth, accountability and true virtue. "No man stood with me, but all men forsook me", wrote the battle scarred Apostle Paul on describing his first appearance before Caesar. This was to answer for his life's passion of believing and teaching contrary to the Roman and Jewish world-view. Truth has been out of fashion since Cain attempted to initiate a new way of worship and this was after the incident in the Garden of Eden. Noah built an Ark, then voyaged nearly alone. The theologians of that day mocked his strange doctrines and they perished in worldly style. Abraham also wandered and worshipped nearly alone. The kings with their kingdoms of that day following worldly fashion, smiled at the simple shepherd; then were fed to the flames. Daniel dined and prayed alone. Elijah sacrificed and witnessed alone. Jeremiah prophesied and wept alone. The Messiah Jesus Christ, loved… and died alone. Of the lonely way His disciples should walk, Jesus said; "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14) Remember, this was stated to religious people, NOT to the world! Of His disciples treatment by the religious masses who walk in the broad way, Jesus said,"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:19). The church in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses. The church of the Kings of Israel-era praised Moses and Abraham, yet persecuted the prophets. The church of the Caiaphas-era praised the prophets, Moses and Abraham, yet persecuted Jesus who stuck to the Word of God. The churches of this modern era praise Jesus and persecute those who stick to the Bible (KJV). Multitudes now, in both the churches and the world applaud the courage of the patriarchs, the prophets, the Apostles and martyrs, but their religious "leaders" condemn as stubbornness and foolishness, like faithfulness today. Of this condemnation Jesus stated, "yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me." (John 16:2-3). Jesus stated also, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven... (Matthew 7:21). WANTED TODAY: men and women, young and old, who will obey the Biblical convictions of truth and duty at the cost of fortune, friends and… possibly life itself. Most people at some point in their life, stumble across truth… But most all of them jump up, brush themselves off, then hurry on about their business as if nothing had ever happened… and then run, anytime they think they might see truth coming at them again! So… Where Do You Stand?! |
