In high school when we were not too cool for school, BH was asked to write
how he would end the war in Viet Nam. We had a teacher who had just returned
from infantry duty there, and was pretty hard core, at least for us middle class
white kids. But among the “we need to negotiate,” use nuclear, then called
atomic bombs, draft everyone and over run the country, he had a common sense
solution, most unlike him. Just interrupt and destroy the paper flow as it was
called then, in other words, hack their emails. Think about it, without
communication, the enemy is always guessing and unable to coordinate a fight
plan. It doesn’t need to be hacked, just short circuited for a short time, like
when your cable goes off and we all panic, and you have them. Confused and
disoriented, and a step ahead. A reverse sort of propaganda, how can you answer
a message you never get? He got an A, we all thought it was brilliant, and in
some archive of his, I know he saved the paper. I copied it the next year for a
history class and got an A, but she questioned if it was really original? It
was to me.....evidence of why we study, to pass the test. Learning optional,
where available. This was public school in the early 1970’s. Now just ask
someone to turn off their phone in church and get ready for the dirty looks. I
rest my case....
So much controversy used to be made about those in Africa who didn’t hear
the gospel, was it right they went to hell? Usually after a traveling
missionary was there seeking cash. When asked by my friends from the USA, Union
of South Africa, where they sent missionaries, they said the USA, us. Seems
both continents are equally dark to the other. But much was said and is said
about hearing the gospel, must it be face to face, via radio or satellite,
dropping off tons of Bibles, or via the internet? Depending upon your venue,
each one is superior to the other. With one exception, who does the saving?
Who changes hearts? How were people saved before modern technology, if at all?
Maybe it’s a good thing we came along when we did, or not. But Paul answers the
question in Romans for us. Ready, here it comes...
God judges by light. Not the Ten Commandments, covering all born pre law.
And pre Jesus. He judges us based on what he has placed in our hearts like he
did Adam and Eve. And how we base our actions and decisions on them. Not
knowing the law will be no excuse, just as “I didn’t know it was wrong to go 136
in a 55 zone” I used one night. Ignorance is no defense for sin. Adam tried,
using clever words, but he knew. And so do we. They and we will perish because
we knew the right thing to do, Jesus, but decided not to. Those in the past
chose to go against what was right, their decision and their fate. Our lives
are an example of what we know, the difference between right and wrong. Some
rely on only their conscience, but neglect how deceiving the heart can be. When
any other standard than God’s is proposed, the answer is death. Even in the 10
Commandments there is no salvation, no forgiveness, yet they are a great way to
live. It takes a someone rather than a something, and so he sent Jesus. Not
based on situations, but based on his forgiveness. Our hearts are dark often, I
am glad I live in the age of grace, pre law or the law, chances are I might not
have made it. My conscience defiled, just like it says in Romans.
The spirit that hovered over the earth in creation and then gave it shape,
does the same today, we are void without Jesus. And any interruption of service
between the holy spirit and us, saved or non, can lead to disaster. “The
message may not get through,” we are told, as if God needs man to save others.
He does use us as instruments, but only as instruments, only Jesus saves. Not
us. So why many use worldly ways to spread the gospel, God and his spirit have
always been at work. A still, small voice heard above the storm. Light in the
dark, peace in a time of turmoil. To some he was referred to as the unknown
God, to us we know him as Jesus Christ. God will not judge us by what we don’t
know, but by what we do know. Do you know Jesus?
Spiritual hacking is nothing new, and lies are as old as the garden. But
the truth still sets us free, and Jesus is the truth. So maybe next time you
are asked for a donation, told “how will they hear if we don’t go?” remind them
of the holy spirit’s job. The perfect evangelist, who takes no collection.
Rather than worry about those who haven’t heard, maybe you need only to look to
yourself first. Now you have heard, and who do you say Jesus is?
Jew and Gentile will both stand in judgment. “War is not the answer,
falling in love can complicate,” Marvin Gaye once sang. He asked “what’s going
on?” The what is a who, Jesus is going on. Will you go on with him? You can
now turn your cell phones back on.
Based on Romans 2:12-16. Long before technology there was Jesus. And will
be long after too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com