Have you ever been in need of some jewelry for a special occasion? What if the occasion was a wedding or an engagement dinner? What kind of jewelry would you buy? Would you seek out something of quality or would you take a quarter to the local grocery store and get a ring or necklace out of the junk machine? Hey, jewelry is jewelry, right? So what does it matter? To many of us, this seems ridiculous and a no-brainer, but this analogy holds many truths for today's topic.
My kids have had plenty of junk-type jewelry over the years and I can say with confidence that you can never trust junk. Usually I make my kids get rid of whatever within a day or two. In this day and time there are more than just worries that your skin will turn green... depending on where it's made you wonder if there might be lead in it that could seriously harm your child.
So, why do we settle for things that appear to be authentic, but in reality are nothing but cheap imitations? Christianity is being hijacked and redefined, and we sit and take it because certain things "ring a bell". They seem to follow what we learned from our Christian upbringings, but could it be we are falling for cheap imitations? We need to take the time to look, study, examine authenticity instead of taking things at "face value". All jewelry is jewelry, right OR is it?
There are many Biblical attributes mimicked by the world that are certainly righteous goals, but if the source isn't Christ, if the focus isn't Christ, if the result isn't that you're pointed to Christ, and if the glory doesn't go to Christ... then what IS the goal? Every means is a purpose to an end, so I really want to know... what's the motivation?
Let's examine a few of these.
GIVING:
Take for instance the principle of "giving". We know this to be a Biblical principle, yet everyone in this day and time jumps on the bandwagon of giving. Charity, giving to the less fortunate, caring for widows and children, feeding the hungry - these are all noble attributes that the church has practiced for years. Some who felt led to minister in diverse lands (through missions work) sacrificed much and some lost their lives in order to give to others. But is it enough to give "things" just for giving sake?
The Word tells us, "Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over" or "It is more blessed to give than to receive". The widow gave ALL that she had. Jesus spoke of the parable of the talents where you not only use what was given, but also multiplied it. Jesus taught us the Beatitudes, He even taught that a cup of water given to the least was giving unto Him. We learn through the boy who gave his lunch that our small contributions in the hands of God can be multiplied to reach the masses... and some left over. We have learned a global mandate to take His Word and message to the world; not only supply tangible things to those in need, but feed them things of the Spirit of God- so that they might be saved and given everlasting life.
Is the Biblical form of giving consistent with what we see in the world today? Give, give, give. Give big. Let's raise 5 million on this show or that one to "give". Where does it end? Why are they giving, to whom, and where exactly is that money going? I don't know anyone who would see a child in need and not feel compassion toward them and want to genuinely help. But, what does it mean to "help"?
Will those who are receiving be indebted somehow to the "giver"? Are these same people who "give" also paying their tithe? Do they give to foreign missions to further the kingdom of God? Are they giving "back" out of their abundance- a drop in the bucket compared to their millions - or are they giving until it hurts? Would they give "all" they had, like the widow? I seriously doubt it.
Or, maybe the goal is to raise global consciousness... to understand that together we can make big things happen; all we need is a goal and each other.
Some would argue, but it's good to give... does it matter how or who or why? You tell me. It's all just jewelry, right?
PEACE:
Peace is another example of what I'm talking about. Peace in and of itself is a righteous goal because Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He will ultimately usher in true world peace.
Yet, what do we want... unity and peace for all. Universal Health Care, Universal Monetary Systems, Universal Passports, Global IDs, Ecumenical Unity in the World's religions - accepting all, yet believing in nothing... the list goes on and on. We are bombarded from every angle and aspect of life... trying to be all bound together in this world in unholy matrimony. People say, "But why do we have to focus on our differences when there are so many things that the human experience has in common?" Can't we just agree to disagree so that we can have peace?
Yeah, jewelry is just jewelry, isn't it? It doesn't matter what it's made out of.
The Word tells us that when they cry "peace, peace" destruction will follow. And what unity does light have with darkness? The light of Christ is the "light", not a global consciousness or whatever else people are trying to redefine God as these days. Light has no fellowship with darkness, Christians have no fellowship with sin. Ah, but the modern idea (that's as centuries old as the author of the lie) says there is no sin. Hogwash. Just because you want to believe there is no sin doesn't absolve you from the fact that there is. God's Word (which gives us Spiritual law to live by) is very clear. Just like the laws of the land... ignorance of the law is no defense when you break the law and stand before the judge. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved.
The only way to have true peace and unity is through something that unifies, or rather, someone... Jesus. He is the unifying force who brings us all together in one "body". Outside of unity and a binding together through Him and the Spirit of God, there is no true unity or peace.
WORSHIP:
This is small thought on my way to the next point of interest, but did you notice how much fanaticism went into the mention of "Jesus" on one of TV's most popular reality shows? I've seen the show from time to time, I'm not criticizing those who watch it, but it's entertainment- not Spiritually focused, even if some participants claim to be Christian. But something bothered me about something I saw when they were singing about "Jesus".
Yes, I adhere to Scripture that says "Jesus will be preached to the ends of the earth" and that "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord", but how soon we forget that not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" will enter into the Kingdom. He will say, "Depart from me, I know you not." Just because they sang, "Shout to the Lord" we get enamored with the fact that they are speaking of the Jesus WE know, but you have to admit there was something unsettling about the fact that these contestants were singing a worship song most of us sing in church an any given Sunday. Were they worshiping? Huh? Have to think about that one! That precious name of Jesus, the name above all names or anything that can be named ...sung for all the world to see... but was it in glory, in power, in majesty- acknowledging He is the King of King and Lord of Lords... or was it for ratings? In the same show, practically right after "Shout to the Lord", there was an actor on stage using such cursing that it was bleeped out. How can fresh water and salt water flow from the same Spring or in this case, show? How can contestants speak His name in vain on air and later "praise" Him? Need we yet be reminded that even demons know the name of Jesus and tremble.
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't like anyone up there singing about anyone in my family they didn't know and later cursing them, yet we are His children and feel "blessed" that His name was even mentioned on air. Why? For notability? Believe me, He is already famous. To make us feel better? OR so we will feel more comfortable watching the show? Slapping Christ's name on something doesn't make it "Christian" any more than me calling a cubic zirconium a real diamond.
Some would say, "Well, it doesn't matter how the message gets across as long as it gets across." I tend to disagree. I don't like the name of my Lord delivered in this manner, no more than I would like my steak delivered on a pile of horse manure. It seems to taint His Holy Name. That's just my opinion.
Well, since all jewelry is just jewelry, it can look just as good on an unmanicured, unclean hand as a clean manicured one, right?
RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY, AND DOCTRINE:
I have been watching telecasts of the Pope's messages during His visit here to the US. It's so encouraging to see him talk about Jesus being the way to God and the real road to peace. He speaks of Jesus at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. His messages encourages believers to hold fast to our Christian doctrine and any time I've seen him speak, he points to Christ as being the author and finisher of our faith, the payment for sin, the redemption of mankind.
Yet, so many are abandoning the faith for what the Word would call doctrines of demons to hear what their itching ears want to hear. They redefine who God is, making Him into their own personal image or in some cases an archetype to fit whatever their mind tells them is right - or others who pander their own views as "greater" or "enlightened awakening" that overshadows the Bible.
In some cases, I have literally heard people who claim to be "Christians" , which literally translates as followers of Christ, that there are many paths to god. Again, which god, whose god? Why would you call yourself a follower of Christ if you do not believe in Christ and adhere to Christology? Change any part of who Christ is or what His mission is- and you are not a follower. The is only one path, one way, one true Word, one God.
Spirituality and interest in religion is on the rise, but again - what it is profiting if people are losing their souls? Many are drawn to these imitations because of their own fleshly desires (fortune, fame, pride) or even because somehow they became disenchanted or disappointed by God because He failed to give them or do for them what they wanted . Perhaps the Word was too rigid and it didn't fit their ideas or who they wanted their "god" to be.
We want to live how we want to live without anyone holding us accountable or responsible. Just as long as we have some sort of faith and serve some god, well ...we'll all get to our "heaven" or wherever, right?
Yeah, and jewelry is just jewelry. And you can wear your jewelry however you choose. Rings aren't just for hands and chains aren't just for necks. They are for wherever you want to put them... in your nose, on your toes, in your lip, from belly button to ear. You be the judge. Jewelry is what we want it to be.
Final Point:
My final point is this... we live in perplexing times, friends. We must be on guard at all times and realize that imitations can lead to disaster. Sadly, deception in our spiritual walk can come easier than we think. If narrow is the way and few that find it... I caution all of us to question when the horn sounds to jump on this band wagon or that. We have a responsibility to warn each other, speak to each other and our children frankly about the dangers we can see around us. Those dangers might come in pretty little packages that look alright on the surface- even mimicking Biblical principles, but the end is not quite what it appears to be. "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. "
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 (KJV)
