The Most Dangerous Religion

Arm chair philosophers oft assess which presents the greatest danger, "Science, or religion?" So too maybe we should ask, "Which religion is most dangerous?", "What is the modern day 'Yeast of the Pharisees?'"

The choices are vast. There are the major world religions of Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Christianity. Within each there are all manner of variations and perversions thereof. There are the "true" ardents of each sect, as well as the "cults". While these are all fascinating, none of them take the cake in my book. There is yet another religion to consider.

Matthew records relevant words of Jesus,

“Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” - Matt 16:6 (ESV). "... teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Matt 15:9 (ESV)

The religious leaders of Jesus' day had perverted the commands of God. They traded the commands of God for the traditions of men. They had lost that which they were entrusted with ... the very words of God. The Pharisees and Saducees were substituting the revealed with the rational. They valued the thoughts of man over the Wisdom of God, but did not even realize it. Today, such a system has become a formal religion.

The most dangerous religion in the world today is Secular Humanism. It is a religion as stated in Humanist Manifesto I. Humanism stands in stark contrast to Biblical teaching; it is one-hundred-eighty degrees out of phase with God's Word on almost every point. It aligns with the progressive political movement, and in fact, is the unrealized enemy of conservatives.

Secular Humanism has permeated the U.S. public school system and much of our culture, and most Christians do not recognize it. It is the most dangerous religion. It is destroying our culture, our political system, and our children.

Know the Blessing of the Rarest of Jewels - Godly Wisdom

Only the Lost Sheep of Israel

Christianity is oft cited as an exclusive religion. Can Jesus really be the only way to heaven? Inclusion is heralded as "must have" positive character trait. While we can certainly make the case that Christianity is positively and negatively inclusive, Jesus' mission on earth was exclusive in some senses.

When hounded by a Canaanite woman with a demon-possessed daughter, Jesus initially ignored the woman and the disciples complained about her persistence. They asked him to do something, and Jesus replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 15:24

An exclusive mission for the Messiah; Israel only, The lost sheep of the chosen race. We also know that His mission to Israel changed the world. While, the Redemption began with the children of Father Abraham, there it did not end. In the book of Acts we know that it spread from Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, to the ends of the earth...

So where is your Jerusalem? What is your Judea? Where is your Israel?

All too often we over look our own home and work place. We over look the path that we travel daily. You can minister the word where you are and as you go. You can be an agent for the Spirit of God right where you are.

Do not neglect ministry to your own household. Do not neglect your own community and workplace. On this National Day of Prayer America needs God. We need His ways in our nation. We have turned away and He is still waiting; Waiting for you to take care of your Jerusalem.

Know the Blessing

One Hilarious Verse in the Bible

Imagine the scene with me. Jesus is yet again confronting the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They are complaining to Jesus, because the disciples did not wash their hands before they ate. Maybe, they were concerned about the disciples catching the swine flu. Maybe, they were concerned about Jesus having more followers on Twitter.

Whatever their motive, Jesus blasts the Pharisees,

"And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ... You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ Read all of Mattthew 15 >>

Ouch! And then comes the most brilliant statement in all the Bible. The disciples approach Jesus after the exchange stating, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"

Are you kidding me? I offended them? I am soooOOOO SORRY! Please, let's go back and apologize. I did not mean to hurt their feelings. Let me re-phrase that, so it will be more kind and gentle.

That has to be one of funniest statements in the Bible. Of course he offended them. Of course they were taken back. He called them hypocrites! He said they worshiped him in vain! In other parts of the gospel accounts, Jesus says they are children of the devil. He goes on to call them blind guides, and says, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots".

The truth of our selfish nature and pride is offensive! The smell of our indulgences cannot be drown out by incense. The wage of our sin cannot be paid by a mere human offering. God is only tolerating sin for a season. He will put a stop to it. He will up root and burn all the unproductive fruit of this earth. He will destroy The Destroyer, death itself.

My friends, the spiritual war we engage is serious business. There is plenty of fun and laughter along the way, but the cost of discipleship is your very life! The price for following Jesus is alienatation from the world. Anyone that is a friend of the world is an enemy of God. And that is not funny.

Know the Blessing