What's In It for Me?

I was thinking about the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. The entire chapter is a fast-paced adventure that moves from scene to scene with light-speed.

Several thoughts occurred to me about the Lord's sermon concerning the bread that came down from Heaven. Just one of the many things I love about the Holy Scriptures: you can read it for years and you'll still discover something new.

Okay, Christ fed the five thousand and then preached a sermon about Heavenly Bread.  The news of the bread spread, (sorry,) and people came from miles around to get their fair share. When they found His boat missing, the one His apostles had used, they went so far as to track Him down on the other side of the lake. They even followed Him to a synagogue where He was teaching.

He told them that they weren't following Him for the miracles; they were only following Him because He gave them a full belly.

Being the rabbit hunters that they were, they made a couple of sad attempts to bait Him into the discussions about works and signs. Really? Everything they'd seen Him do and they wanted to talk about works and signs? Sheesh!

So, he continued trying to explain to them, in essence, if they didn't eat His body, they could have nothing to do with Him. Moreover, He told a bunch of Kosher Jews that they also must drink blood...His blood! He continued further that Moses gave the Israelites manna and they died, but the Bread He offered granted eternal life. He told that them that He is the Bread that came down from Heaven.

I am that bread of life. John 6:48

I can just imagine them cutting their eyes in astonishment and disbelief at the words of the Galilean. Some even whispering to one another their doubts about not only His words, but His sanity. The only response they could muster was that what He was saying was "hard."

They had witnessed many of His miracles. They had even been fed by them. Yeah, the five loaves and two fishes routine. For sure, they had seen much to encourage them to believe He was who He was. Shucks! They had even wanted to make Him King!

Verse 66, (interestingly) says, after that time, many of His disciples no longer followed Him. They, pardon the pun, had their bellies full of Him.

Then, to my mind, one of the most dramatic moments in the Holy Bible occurs. Jesus, after watching the crowds whom He had shown so much love walk away, turned to His disciples and asked what was, perhaps, the most poignant question He ever asked. He looked into their eyes and asked, "Are you going to leave me too?"

Just for a moment consider the thought. (Yes, a favorite thought of mine to which I keep returning.) Our Lord, our Savior was a man. Albeit, a  lonely man. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He knew what it was to lose and He knew what it was to be left alone. He, the One holding the keys to life and death, had lost loved ones through sickness, age and injury and He certainly knew what it was like to be abandoned by many whom He had loved and, one would have thought, loved Him.

So, here he stood, once again, abandoned by so many to whom He had given so much. It wasn't a new thing for Him, but it, obviously, never lessened the pain it caused Him. Furthermore, He knew total abandonment was not so very far away. He knew a time was coming when even His own Father would abandon Him. Yes, the man knew pain on a scale that we can't even begin to imagine.

His disciples had just seen Him feed five thousand with a little  bit of fish and bread. As if that wasn't enough, they saw Him walk on water. No small thing, but when He then climbed into their boat, they were suddenly transported through time and space to their destination on the other shore.

Oh, yes, they had witnessed so much. They had seen and heard things that so many others had not. And now, Jesus was asking them if He could depend on them. Would they stay or would they go?
A thousand things must've rambled through their minds: the miracles, the lessons, the "hard" words. They saw so many who had followed the Lord so far simply walk away dazed and confused. They had left so much behind and had invested so much time and energy in the man. Were they now beginning to understand a little about what would ultimately be required of them? Now, He wanted them to answer, likely, the toughest question He had ever put to them.

People come to religion for a myriad of reasons. They often seek peace, fellowship, support, help, an anchor, escape and even, sometimes, Heaven. Many seek a full heart. (Whatever that means.)

I've seen many men, young and old, inquire about joining the Lodge. Most don't really know what they're seeking. They come because of our reputation, factual or otherwise, or because of kinsmen or friends. I've seen far too many receive bad information about the purpose of Masonry. They are erroneously told that the best thing about it is the fellowship. While, yes, it is something special and rare, but if that is what a Brother sees as the number one thing Masonry offers, well, he hasn't been listening during the degree work.

Many come to America, not for the miracle of liberty that she is, but because they can get a full belly here. Granted, many have crossed the oceans for economic opportunity in our fair land and that is no sin. Still, they grew to love her. If you don't love her for more than just what she gives you, you will never be willing to die to sustain her. Freedom is not without responsibility. Otherwise, it is only anarchy.

Those who want to take and take and never be a part of us will never love her. They will treat her like a woman to be used and cast aside before the sun rises the next morning. Sadly, these include not only illegal immigrants and "anchor babies," but fourth and fifth generation Americans and more. Those who are so enthralled with themselves that no one and nothing else matters.
So, here stands our Lord, His eyes moistened, (I've no doubt,) with the earnest desire to hear their response. At the same time, He was both cursed and blessed by the knowledge of what their answer would be.

Now, good old Peter, who's heart was gold, but, like the rest of us, was too often swayed by his humors like a cat by it's tale, answered with the answer of all answers. Being the good little Jewish boy he was, he answered our Lord's question with a question.

"Where else can we go?"

He, of course, continued with the declaration that only Jesus had the Word's of Life and that He was truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Peter, whether it was walking on water or fighting a host of temple guards, if he didn't take time to think about his response, seemed to usually have pretty good
instincts.

Finally, Jesus, without actually acknowledging Peter's response reminded them that, although he had chosen them all, one of them would betray Him. He understood that there would always be those who would never...get it! No matter how much food or how many miracles and no matter how much love He showed, there would always be those who, like the others who abandoned Him, who could never see past their own desires and urges...and their own bellies.

The Centurion's Faith

Once upon a time, Jesus was walking through a city by the sea when some of His kinfolk approached Him concerning an officer, a centurion, in the Roman army. Now, these kinsman wanted Jesus to heal a dear, dear servant of this Roman. They explained what a good man the centurion was and how he had done many great things for them. Why, he had even paid for their church building. [The Lord seemed to have nothing to say on the subject of this Gentile's goodness.]

Jesus, of course, went with them, but before reaching the man's home, he was met by some of his friends. They were carrying a message from the centurion that said, in essence, "Lord, don't put yourself out on my account. I'm not even good enough for you to enter my home or even for me to come to you. But if you'll just say the word, my servant will be healed.

You see, I understand your authority. I also tell my soldiers where to go and what to do and when to do it and they do it."

Now this impressed the Lord! So much so, that he turned to his kinsmen who were following him and said, "I haven't seen this much faith, even among my own people!"

Then the centurion's friends returned to his home and found the servant who had been sick now completely healed.

Luke 7:1-10 ADV

Crazy Ex-Wife

Imagine ladies, that you meet your husband somewhere publicly, and, as you embrace the love of your life, somehow, you notice his eyes are not closed, as yours are, in full enjoyment of the moment. Worse yet, you notice he seems distracted and distant. You can feel that he's not hugging and holding you the same way you are him. Even worse, you open your eyes and look in his face to find that his eyes are wandering and, moreover, wandering to someone else. Then, just when you think it can't get any worse, you notice that the “someone else” is his ex-wife.

Now, depending on how brave and brassy or shy and timid you are, you might confront him. You might question why he was looking at her while holding you. Depending on how fast he is on his feet, he might possibly respond with some paltry excuses about her merely being in his line of sight or that she looked at him first.

Then, depending how good he is at deception or how gullible you are, you might walk away from this incident feeling more or less secure. Also, it might be greatly dependent how good he is at lying or how good you are at lying to yourself.

Then, some while later, when you thought this little episode is a thing of the past, you stumble on the two of them, your husband and his “ex.” You see him looking, what can only be called, longingly into her eyes. Frozen in terror of what this appears to be, joined with hope that it is anything but, you stand, watching and listening to these two former lovers.

“You know, I haven't forgotten you or how beautiful you are. Yes, I'm married to someone else, but I remember you. I haven't forgotten you. I even have a plan so that you and I can be together one day. You, my new wife and myself. Yes, it'll just be the three of us. We'll be so happy together. I promise you! Just be patient. I know I put you away for her, but you will be with me again. I haven't forgotten my original promises to you. I'll keep them all!”
 

Your stomach becomes Gordian knot as he continues.
 

“And don't worry. She'll understand. I'm sure that, once I explain how important you were to me and how much I loved you and how I just can't abandon you or forget you or our vows, she'll understand. She's a very understanding person.”

About now, a million thoughts are rushing through your mind! Your head is swimming and your feeling woozy and dizzy. Among the numerous thoughts jumping into your consciousness are the many, many stories your husband told you about her. About all the fussing and the fighting. About how unfaithful she was! About all the men! About how she wasted all of his possessions! About the disrespect! About how crazy she is!
 

As you try to catch your breath and still your reeling mind, you see him slowly walk away from this melodrama. You turn your head in an attempt to prove, against hope, that the insanity you saw happen, did not actually happen. As you do, you note that the “ex” wags her head with a dark look of contempt in her eyes for her former, forlorn lover. You feel certain, though said lowly, you see the words form on her lips, “How pathetic.” Yes, it seems neither of them have changed their feelings for one another.
 

Now, this is the scene of lunacy I have painted for you. I'm sure you're thinking, there is no way any self-respecting wife would tolerate this! Yes, I would agree. Still, ever so sadly, this is the view of the average Baptist/Fundamentalist regarding the Bride of Christ and Israel.
 

Without delving too deeply in the fact that Baptists today neither can identify the Groom or Bride, most, in reality, believe in neither. If they did, they would realize that the entire Bible is a sermon about the wedding of the Bride and the Groom and that all the teaching about marriage in the Bible is by God's own design. You don't have to wonder which came first: it was the plan.
 

Still, many have a death grip on their own preconceived ideas. They hold onto, what can only be called, “Jew Worship.” Yes, they truly seem to worship the supposed recipients of the blessings of God rather than God Himself. They worship the creature rather than the Creator.
 

Now, very quickly, there is no problem with being a Jew. Also, there is no advantage.
 

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
 

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  
 

I must've read that Scripture a hundred times over the years. One day it hit me. Jesus was taking Himself! He was trying to tell us, "I am a one woman man!"


Yet, to be a part of the crowd, to avoid the contempt of the like-minded and lock-stepped, many swallow horrid accusations against Jehovah that will not bear the weight of Scripture. Their stubbornness blinds their eyes and they ignorantly accuse the God of Heaven of no less than adultery!

Now, before you say, “Hold on a minute! I would never accuse God of anything like that!”


Wouldn’t you? Don’t you? Isn't that exactly what you are doing when you say that the Church is His Bride, but He is still in love with and pining for his first bride, Israel? Yes, she was His first love, the apple of his eye, but she was adulterous and backsliding. So, even though it broke His heart, he had to put her away. He was forced to divorce her.

I know saying that God is divorce' causes Fundamentalists to cover their ears and go, “la, la, la, la, la!” Prejudice causes the best of us to sometimes hide from the truth.
 

Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
 

Not to digress here, but when the Bible says, “God hates divorce,” it’s mostly because he has been through one himself. No pain like the pain you’re in!
 

Malachi 2:16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
 

Oddly enough to me, many think that our God looks lustily at His former wife, Israel, and dreams of a time when He can be with her again. He thinks of all the promises He made to her and all of the promises she made to Him and sighs with remorse. He pines away for the old days, crying over the loss of his first love, a love that betrayed Him in every way. Yes, He did divorce her, finding Himself a new love that He swore to Himself would be delivered chaste and pure to Him.
 

Revelations 21: 11 Having the glory of God…
 

Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:　

Was the law of Moses God's ultimate plan? Was salvation and the Church an afterthought? Perhaps, Plan B? Did God not see it coming? Was he caught unawares?
 

They talk as if it was always God’s intent that Israel should be His closest love and, after she fouled it up, He had to go off and find another way. I suppose these same people think that God intended man to live forever in the Garden of Eden and, after Adam fouled that up, God had to go off and find another way. Actually, entire “Christian” denominations as well as other religions are founded on these very concepts.
 

The Church was not an afterthought! It was always God’s design to employ Israel, the Law and the failure of both to bring about the Church age. Israel, like Adam, was never intended as a permanent solution, but as a means to an end. Does that lessen God’s love for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? No, because they too rejoiced to see His day. It was never about the branches; it has always been about the Vine.
 

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
 

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.　
　

For God to have multiple brides, is contrary to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. Yes, God allowed multiple wives and concubines but, if you follow the trail, it was always a headache for all concerned. Many men will think more than one wife is great! But remember, more than one wife means more than one mother-in-law. Like they say, two's company, but three's a crowd!
 

Still, God like Adam, is happy with one wife at a time. Amazingly, of course, God always gets good from our evil.
 

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
 

Now, back to our adventuresome guy with the roaming eyes. He is a man who has everything he has ever longed for in the beauty, loyalty and fertility of his current glorious bride. Sadly, like some men, he thinks the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. He forgets the bad things from his earlier relationship and only remembers the lust that burned in his heart for a woman who, basically, hated him. He doesn’t think about the relationship. He only thinks about her physical splendor.

Yes, it’s true. All men are pigs!
 

Disgustingly, our little anthropomorphic egos assign attributes to God that should make our skins crawl. We think He is just like us, only bigger and stronger. You know, like Superman.

We muse, admit it or not, “After all, God does it!” We justify so much of what we believe by imputing our God with ideas and concepts that are more foreign to him than the surface of mars is to us.

Remember Esther? The woman who became queen because another, the first queen, was disobedient to her husband. You might almost defend the thought process of the former bride. She just didn’t want to be paraded before a bunch of desirous, disorderly, drunken men. On the surface, I’d agree with her point of view. I mean, what woman would want to be put in such an embarrassing situation. She was the ultimate trophy wife. Frankly, she did not care to be. Sadly, she did not realize her place in the chain of command.

Still, isn’t that what God wanted from Israel? He placed them in the best land of all, at the virtual center of the world where all mankind would have to travel through their borders. They thought He put them their so they could be spoiled and fattened and showered in His love. In actuality, it was not God’s intent that they should shut the gates to the city, locking the world away. I think he put them their to show them off to the world. He put them there that they might be a testimony to all the heathens encompassing them of the power and righteousness of God Almighty. God put them there to be missionaries!
 

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

This new Bride of God is, like Jerusalem, a “city of peace.” Even more so, it is a new “city of peace.” It is a city that has its gates open to all points of the compass. Unlike Hell, it fears no danger of being prevailed against because the Lamb is present and He is the light of that city. Only citizens are allowed in this city and they can only be naturalized, adopted, by the edict of the King of Kings! This city contains no murderers, drunkards or liars, simply because once they are allowed in this city, they are no longer any of those!
 

Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Upon trying to explain this concept to a Fundamentalist friend of mine, his only argument was to decry, “What about the 'Tribulation?' God still has a plan for the Jews!” He even claimed desperately, “It's not a marriage like we have marriage.”

In exasperation, I asked, “Then what kind of marriage is it? God could've used any number of metaphors, but he chose marriage! But we say, it's not like 'our' marriage”?
 

What can you really say to a death grip religion like that? God on his throne can't move them! How can I?

Fundamentalists and You

So much of what happens in Christianity is like “inside baseball.” It makes perfect sense to the fanatics who love and understand the game, (whoever they are,) but to the layman, the outsider, it’s all just a bunch of gibberish.

I once tried to explain the difference between Catholics and Baptists to a Japanese girl who was raised a Buddhist, but wasn’t really sure if she believed anything. I was a complete failure. All she could understand was that we both believe in Jesus.

Another difficult thing to explain is the difference between a Fundamentalist and, well, the rest of us. Now, if you are among the multitudes of lost souls who are on the outside looking in, you most likely see little if any difference. You certainly wouldn’t see what all the controversy is about. Don’t we all believe in Jesus?

A man I once thought I knew, whom I thought was wise, once told me, “There are some things I won’t even argue about. There are some things I will argue about. There are some things I will die for.” I think having the wisdom and discretion to know and relate the difference, is a challenge for most Christians. Especially when dealing with the profane.

Well, some differences simply aren’t worth worrying about. Some are desperately worth our concern. Just because someone can’t tell the difference doesn’t mean there is no difference. The question is only, are those differences worth the fight.

Many unbelievers or even believers with whom I engage in any sort of religious combat don’t understand why I am so repulsed by their attempt to label me as a Fundamentalist. They sometimes say, “Don’t you believe in Jesus?” Immediately, the answer is yes, but to attempt to explain further can, at times, be completely frustrating! There are some distinctions, very important ones at that, that cannot be explained in a simple enough sentence to allow their ignorant minds to comprehend the gravity, or lack thereof, of our disagreements.

While I do believe the KJV is inspired by God and that He actually built the universe in six days, they cannot seem to get it through their heads that there are massive differences between the average Fundamentalist and myself. I don’t like being called a Fundamentalist anymore than a Georgian likes being called a Tennessean. The average Yankee may not know the difference, but here in “Jesus Land,” we certainly do. After the same manner, simply because there is a similarity in doctrines, the discerning eye, the receptive heart and attentive ear will promptly observe the contrasts.

So, allow me, if you will, to enumerate some of the problems I find with “Fundamentalists” and the things to which they so passionately adhere. Some, I find laughable. Others, I occasionally, find revolting still, others are anathema to God’s Holy Scriptures.

1. Fundamentalists refer to the Bible as the “Word of God” when the Bible doesn’t even make that claim.

2. Fundamentalists say they take the Bible “literally”…except when they don’t.

3. Fundamentalists believe the book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible.

4. Fundamentalists believe a woman can’t be a pastor simply because she can’t be the “husband of one wife.”

5. Fundamentalists believe the “New Jerusalem” is Heaven.

6. Fundamentalists believe there are horses in Heaven.

7. Fundamentalists believe the streets of Heaven are paved with gold.

8. Fundamentalists think they’ll actually have a big house in Heaven.

9. Fundamentalists get angry when you disagree with them. They sometimes go so far as to say, “You don’t believe the Bible,” or “You must be lost,” or even, “You’re stupid!”

10. Fundamentalists believe the KJV is the “Bible” and all other versions are straight out of Hell.

11. Fundamentalists like to jump pews, love preachers who go “hah-hooey,” and think it’s really great when a preacher grabs a potted plant and runs around the sanctuary with it.

12. Fundamentalists don’t really know anyone outside of their little circles who are actually living right.

13. Fundamentalists have no doubt that Jesus retains the scars in His hands from His crucifixion. For some reason though, He doesn’t bear any of the scars from his beatings.

14. Fundamentalists believe Lucifer is Satan.

15. Fundamentalists believe that angels once had relations with human women and made babies who became giants.

16. Fundamentalists think that Satan was once God’s “number one” angel.

17. Fundamentalists say that when Jesus told the thief on the cross, “This day, thou shalt be with me in Paradise,” He didn’t mean Heaven.

18. Fundamentalists claim that there was a place between Heaven and Hell where God kept the Saints of old before the resurrection. No, I don’t mean Purgatory.

19. Fundamentalists tell poor, lost Jews that they are still “God’s people.”

20. Fundamentalists are more concerned with your sin than your salvation.

Certainly, not every mark of a Fundamentalist is in this list and not having all of them doesn’t disqualify you from fitting very neatly into this crowd. Yet, these are some of the symptoms I’ve found most egregious from my soirees into the dangerous world of modern American Christian Fundamentalism. A.K.A. the Fundamentalist Zone.