Matthew 18:10-14 ~ see that you do not despise

Matthew 18:10-14

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven [For the Son of Man came to save the lost]. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my [your] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.


Haters gonna hate. 

I saw an MSNBC interview with the Pastor of a Mega Church.

I don't know a thing about the Pastor's book and I don't know the MSNBC interviewer. Perfect. Which is exactly what I needed for this passage. 

And later in the day, a Facebook comment from a long-time friend. Her comment was - watch the video clip and see if it is relevant to accept Jesus Christ in this life-

So I watched the video. I commented on her comment and asked what people thought.

To be honest with you, the interviewer spoke with an English accent, loudly, clearly, dramatically and offered a lot of yes or no, take answer A or answer B questions bluntly. I rather like blunt. But I came away from the 5 minute segment a little confused. I've read quite a few Christian Fiction books on mega-churches leading people down the false path of easy, cheap grace. Grrrrrrr.

And I've watched good Christian Television Show Ministers - who are famous - have terrible fake, cheesy grins plastered on their faces. Especially when dealing with the media.  You just know the fruit from the tree is wholesome, but lemme tell you, I've wanted to write sincerely and say - please - Stop with the look. ("I love being fried, please make me embarrassed, I am always happy." ) Yuckkkk. Let love be sincere. 

And I've seen some, "Peace-seeking, I'm Okay, You're Okay"s turn rabid over Christian viewpoints. Woooow. One fascist opinion is allowed to govern us all.

So... who is the hater..... the deist, the universalist, the humanist, the Christian?

A religious meeting that may seem strange to outsiders. Everybody sings "Praise Be to Whom It May Concern" and then somebody speaks and nobody listens - and then everybody disagrees. And if you disagree, then you'll fit right in. The point of the meeting - is anger.

The argument was Salvation ....for whom?
God is unique. God says Salvation is for all people - for the world.

I was recently asked what religion copied what religion. Why do we see similarity in groups worshipping God? Or gods. The Light of Jesus Christ is in mankind. We seek to be part of God's Eternal Love. I believe Jesus is the Way of Salvation. Confucius never knew Jerusalem or Israel.

And then another interview with a Mega Christian of Television.
There wasn't a hater, but extremely different viewpoints of looking at Salvation. The Minister enjoyed talking to the bulldog, lock jawed reporter. He was amused at the tactics of the reporter - the Minister had game. The reporter could tell the Minister was amused and made witty come backs, the interview was going wellll; the reporter was happy. The Facebook people made open minded, Scriptural comments. It was interesting and upbeat. Very unusual for a Salvation discussion.

When we look at the Law... who gets in to Heaven....

Luke 19: 1 
He entered Jericho and was passing through. 

2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 

6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 

9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

It becomes more easy when we acknowledge this: we are never going to walk down the street, look up in a tree and be able to know the soul of a stranger. Religion is out. Relationship, not with human opinion, but with Jesus Christ has begun.

Who gets the shot at Salvation?

Joel 3:14 
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! 
For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

~ What about good men, who didn't know of Jesus. Will they be saved? Jesus never met the Centurion. Or his servant. What did Jesus do?

~ What about tragedy - - Luke 13:4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 

Jesus answered, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Salvation....

Romans 11:34 
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

Nope, that doesn't just do it here.... we can say more.

1 Corinthians 2:16 
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

And this for all people....

Philippians 2:12 
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It does Not say, work out the centurion's salvation.

 What role do the others play in the centurion's salvation?

Luke 7:
³ The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” ⁶ So Jesus went with them.

When the people interceded for the man - the centurion - Jesus found faith and he healed the centurion's servant. Betcha Jesus knew the servant, interceded for by the intercessor too.

Salvation.... it isn't a religion, it is a relationship.

Abba, Father God,

Glory to You in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom Your favor rests.

Jesus Christ, Your Son, gave and we are Your beloved. Help us to walk with You.

There are different kinds of working, but You are the same God working in all men. Equip us, please, with everything good for doing Your will. Work in us what is pleasing to You. 

You daily load us up with Your benefits,  enlighten our eyes in faith, and our souls rejoice. We ask for more Heaven on earth. And for our friend numbered among the Greatest - Your Word of Healed.

 Amen, through Jesus Christ, for His Glory. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †