They Fell to the Ground

Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.

“Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”

-John 18:4-6, NKJV

The Wrong Side of History

The following post is my commentary on an article I read. I have attached a link to the article, from Core Christianity, titled:

“Why Does Anyone Become a Christian?”

Please read the article and then read my commentary.

https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/why-does-anyone-become-a-christian?utm_content=buffer2f97f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Biblical Christianity in the 21st century is accused of being “on the wrong side of history” if it doesn’t change and embrace cultural values. But if you look at history, Christianity was just as “behind the times” nearly 2000 years ago as is today. True Christianity has a history of being counter-culture. Take a look and compare the values of the pagan Roman Empire to what is rapidly becoming pagan America and you will see they are very similar. The article referenced here does a good job supporting this assertion.

America is rapidly becoming post-Christian, following the path of the rest of the modern West. Western culture is rejecting the God and faith that its own historical moral values are based upon. The assertion of absolute truth and an exclusive path stand in contrast to relativism and plurality. Traditional Christianity and the Judeo-Christian God Himself stand accused of being immoral by modern sensibilities and values. Society is judging Christianity using a manipulated version of moralism it has developed based upon a foundation originating from Christianity. Part of the problem of evangelism in a post-Christian society is that everyone assumes they know the God and faith being proclaimed when in truth they really don’t. It becomes far more difficult to explain something when the audience presupposes that it already possesses understanding.

This is one reason I think we are approaching the end of this dispensation of human history as prophesied in the Bible. Over the past 2000 years, Christianity has spread across the globe, and, although many individuals have embraced the Gospel, the societies of the world have rejected it; some immediately, and some after having feigned acceptance for a time. We see that happening now as well. The depraved collective heart of humanity cannot tolerate the light and has chosen to embrace darkness. Missionary efforts are still important as individuals can still be rescued by Christ from this present darkness until the end of this age and the return of the Lord. But societies have moved, dare I say progressed, to the point where, having rejected the truth of the Gospel, they assume they know what Christianity is when in reality they do not. And why would they take the time to try to learn something that they mistakenly believe they already understand, especially when their perception of that thing is that it has outlived its usefulness and has been proven false, or actually restricts progress? It will take Divine intervention to win the day, and that intervention will come when Jesus returns.

Ultimately, the article referenced doesn’t really tackle the true reason people become Christians. It’s because they recognize their own sinfulness and surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When one truly confronts the depths of one’s own depravity and throws oneself upon God’s mercy in desperation for salvation from the darkness, then one understands the power of true Christianity. People who claim to be Christians for other reasons are themselves failing to understand, or at least express, the deeper truth. It isn’t a works-based system for earning merit with the Divine, or a method for behavior modification, or even primarily an impetus for cultural change and progress. It is a surrender of self will and transformation of spirit from death to life through God’s grace imparted by faith in the finished work of Christ alone. It is a shedding of one’s old nature and sacrifice of self in exchange for a new nature reborn of the Holy Spirit. All the other stuff—good works, changed behavior, and improved social order—are simply outgrowths of internal, individual redemption.

What Profit in God?

“For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’” -Job 34:9, NKJV

The Word of God is alive!

I encountered this verse again the other day and was convicted. If I am honest, then I must admit that I have had this very same thought before.

Over the years, on more than one occasion, I have found myself wondering about the point of living a life dedicated to the Lord, especially when it feels like so little has been accomplished, and that I encounter closed doors at so many turns. But, although the feeling is real, the real truth is different.

I do not intend to diminish the struggle, but I am reminded of the reality that this thought is the result of two errors on my part: focusing on the wrong things, and thinking more highly of myself than I ought. The truth is, I am not privy to the entirety of God’s plan and I am not deserving of anything more than what God has ordained for me by His grace.

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD.” -Isaiah 55:8, NKJV

“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” -Isaiah 64:6, NKJV