Monday, March 4, 2019

The Maltese Christian
















I missed the month of February with pneumonia, which is a lot more than just a bad cold.  An infection, and when related to my previous heart condition, could have been deadly.  But I am healed, but weak, and still able to sit up and take my meals again.  But in between sleeping 18-20 hours a day, I spent a lot of time with Jesus, some of it reviewing things I knew, sometimes going where I had not gone boldly before.  I was reminded how he will never leave me nor forsake me, and to enjoy your time on earth, for it can be “on earth as it is in heaven,” like the Lord’s Prayer promises.  But I was shown how simple life really is, without the complication of religion, and all the man made obstacles it provides.  Although my thoughts were of heaven, he reminded me of our time on earth, and the blessings we get when we live in the spirit.  And how too many Christians live safe lives inside four walls, never seeing all of Jesus, nor his blessings.  Only experiencing what the pastor teaches, and mostly of what he was taught.  We are taught that evangelism is sharing the gospel, but neglect Jesus own ministry of meeting needs.  Simple truths revealed...of course I was the only one they were new to....
When you are poor, you think of being rich, when thirsty of a drink, when hungry food, when naked clothes, and when homeless a place to spend the night.  Yet we are so often heavenly minded we are no earthly good, and do not realize we are dying every second.  Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are dead in our transgressions and in our sins.  No one wants to hear that, but yet the evidence is there, stop and think about it.  Ever walk through a graveyard, full of dead people.  Think they can hear you and your telling them about Jesus?  Yet many pray for the dead, not realizing they are spiritually dead believing that.  The dead can no longer respond....they have given that up with life.  The gospel is powerless to them at that point, and either they believed or they denied.  No do overs like in kickball.  The second thing mentioned is transgressions, our falling short.  We are dead in them, they were the missteps we took, or still take, getting close but never making it.  Refer to the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept,” and despite what theology teaches us, Jesus didn’t weep because Lazarus was dead, he knew he would resurrect him.  He saw the sin and transgressions, they missed his point of being resurrected upon death when they believe in him.  Even the comment about “won’t he stink after four days?” is telling.  The body transgresses, it deteriorates, and the $20 dollars of chemicals that make us up are disposed of.  Jesus didn’t weep over physical death, he knows where believers go upon that, he wept over the spiritual death, that many Christians in too many churches are dying from.  They may be in the word, but yet the word is not in them.....
Which leads to many Maltese Christians.  When asked what the Maltese Falcon was, Bogie responded “the things that dreams are made of.”  How you see Jesus effects the things your dreams are made of.  Sadly I find way too many of my own prayers selfish, about me and things.  Which lead to wild chases like the Falcon did, always chasing, but never catching.  Even Solomon in Ecclesiastes after writing it in a fallen state has to admit that of many books there is no end.  But that we have all we need already in Jesus Christ.  Yet there is no end to books on how to pray, how to become a better Christian, how to make more money, and the list goes on.  Some even claiming “in Jesus name,” or one that is a wake up call, “in his service.”  No wonder Jesus wept!  In whose name for whose benefit?  It doesn’t take four days for a body that is dead to stink!  Yet too many go from church to church looking to find one that agrees with their beliefs, instead of one that they need to change to be like.  Look at what you invest your time and money in, your check book register may not be one you want others to see.  So what are the things that dreams are made of in God’s eyes?
God’s will is that no one perish and that we all know Jesus as our savior.  There a six week course in one sentence.  He wants us to be blessed, and wants to bless us, but wants us to be the conduit of blessing others.  Our lives are not our own, what do you dream of about Jesus?  Does his spirit fill them, or are you like those chasing the Maltese Falcon, not sure if it is a legend or not?  Do you believe, but do you trust?  Are you always a day late and a dollar short?  Is your fellowship time spent arguing over doctrines or asking God want he wants you to do?  And doing it!  A two phase idea.  And so Jesus wept, and still does for the unbelief that still exists today.  Among Christians.
What is in your heart will come out of your mouth.  Yet opinions are like Hondas, everyone has one.  But in Christ we will know the truth, and seeking we will find.  So one word of advice, never listen to anyone who has never done anything.  They are like the books of which there is no end.  Do not be deceived, and do not be afraid to tell the truth in love.  Jesus even had to ask his disciples “have I made you my enemy by telling you the truth?  And like St. Francis of Assisi advised, “preach the word daily, using words when necessary.”  The world is full of Maltese Christians, only in Jesus Christ will you find all you need.  If you are still getting directions from a person that stutters, and continue to stumble, remember many will come in his name but even deceive the elect.  Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty....evangelize that!
Don’t wait to die to experience heaven, you don’t have to.  Remember you can only resurrect something that has died.  We all qualify....and Jesus wept.  For you and me.  Maltese Christians, always looking for that certain something, when it is really a somebody.  That ought to make us all weep....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com