Like many Christians, you might be alarmed by the rise in arrogance, militancy and blasphemy many of our brethren seem to have embraced. If you are distressed by this trend, that may be a very good thing.
What do I mean by a good thing? Well in truth, the people who are not unsettled by it and who either say nothing or outright embrace it, are in truth, condoning this malevolent blasphemy.
Webster’s Dictionary defines blasphemy as: “the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or to something sacred; something said or done that is disrespectful to God or to something sacred.”
“As used in Scripture, the word “blasphemy” means expressing something disrespectful or evil about God. Among the worst forms of blasphemy are those which twist sacred truths about God into lies.” – Bible Ref
Increasingly, there are some Christians, mostly centered in this country, who are using God for their own gain — they are invoking God into their plots and schemes to attain more wealth, power and influence. For example, when we intentionally twist the Word of God or we create our own rituals or “rules” and then claim they are from God, we are in effect, committing open rebellion against God. Remember, the ancient Pharisees did this — they made up rules and claimed they were divine and they made threats against their fellow man and claimed that those threats of punishment were going to be carried out against them by God. This was a mistake of, as they say, Biblical proportions.
So today, when someone using the Christian faith as a tool in a nefarious or greedy plot speaks for God or invokes God into violence, war, etc., they are in truth, doing what the ancient Pharisees did and even worse. Many militant Christians or “nationalistic” Christians, simply cannot accept that God’s love extends to all of his children, as does the opportunity for grace. The Christians who portray Jesus as a violent warrior or God as somehow “American,” are simply on the wrong side of the line in the sand — they have chosen very poorly. For them, God favors only white, heterosexual Christians, when in truth, God loves every single one of us, faults and all. He does not see religion, political affiliation, nationality or sexual orientation, but rather, simply sees His children.
While presiding over his “Christian Prayer and Worship Service” at the Pentagon this week, this is the “prayer” that Pete Hegseth, our nation’s Secretary of Defense delivered:
“Almighty God who trains our hands for war and fingers for battle, behold now the wicked who rise against your judgment and the peace of the righteous. Pour out your wrath against those who plot vain things and blow them away like chaff before the wind.”
I don’t mean to be blunt or rude, but if a Christian does not see this “prayer” as disturbingly offensive, then perhaps their faith is truly in name only. For any Christian to believe that God trains any hands for war, or who maintains that we mere mortals are the warriors God wants to use as a weapon to kill “the wicked who rise against your judgment and the peace of the righteous,” then they simply have gotten it all wrong. On every level. This cannot be over-stated: those who believe this are extremely misguided and worse, those who spread these blasphemies are themselves wicked.
Consider this wisdom:
“Jesus’s harshest words in the gospels wasn’t towards prostitutes, other religions, or undocumented immigrants. Jesus’s harshest words were towards the rich and religious who used God’s words to justify exploitation and oppression. Yes, many want to believe the opposite.” – Reverend Benjamin Cremer
Jesus embraced all and He welcomed all. Jesus is peace and He is love. He did not come to destroy, but to save. Too many Christians are infusing the faith with their personal politics and then trying to convince others that they are good and righteous — they most assuredly are not.
“Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” – Isaiah 2:22
God is perfect. God is holy. God does not need our help in “managing” His children. God sent us Jesus and that act is the very Will of God in the flesh — the commandment cannot be mistaken: it is to follow Jesus and do as He teaches and live as he instructs. That is not in debate. Any Christian invoking God in some “crusade” or military operation in which lives are lost, is not on the right side of the line in the sand — and this is particularly true if they fail to repent and cease this campaign of sin and blasphemy.
If one sees evil or wickedness, that person must not only reject it, but also call it out and let the light shine upon it. Using God as a political instrument for personal power is a grave sin and so is embracing that sin, even its being perpetrated by others. Christians are called upon to confront evil with love and goodness. We are commanded to love our neighbor and to help others. Compassion is our mission and generosity our purpose. Please, if you are a Christian, don’t let mere men corrupt the faith and do not let them drag you into their darkness.
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:43-44
‘Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will die perish by the sword.” – Matthew 26:52
“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. … Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:18 and 21
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