Twelve people did something great in the Bible, but you have absolutely no idea who ten of them are. Do you know what I’m talking about? Here’s a hint: the story is told in Numbers 13. Moses gave 12 men an assignment. No cheating. Don’t go get your Bible and look it up. I want to know if you know these men. Does it ring a bell? Ok, here are the names of the ten men I am referring to: Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, and Geuel. I am sure you have no idea what I’m talking about. (if you do, good for you)
I also bet that if I added the other two names to the list, you would immediately know what I was talking about. They are Caleb and Joshua. Now you remember. Moses sent 12 spies into the “promised land” to do some reconnaissance for the upcoming conquest. They all came back with a report of how magnificent the land was. Ten of the men said that it would be impossible for them to take possession of the land because of the giants that lived there. Only Joshua and Caleb silenced the men and said that it WOULD be done because the Lord had promised it to them. And they wanted to go and take it immediately.The ten naysayers got the whole congregation worked up into a frenzy of negativity, and they wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb. And God was angry! Read Numbers chapter 14.The world today is full of “Christians” who have many reasons why the promises of God “can’t be done”. There are people who see giants in their lives and forget scripture. But there are also the true warriors of God who not only believe the promises of God, but are ready, willing and able to see God stand and accomplish His word. They are armed with faith and strength.Jesus did some amazing things here on this Earth. And then he said one of the most dangerous sayings in the entire Bible. He said in John 14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.”
Yikes!!! If you truly believe those words, you will be like Joshua and Caleb. If you hear the words, and let the giants of this life turn you into a powerless Christian weenie, then you run the risk of going down in history like those ten “whats-their-names”. God has promised you some remarkable things as a son. Go take possession of what is rightfully yours.
There I was, sitting in the office of two Christian men. The heated topic boiled down to one’s view of Christianity and how they saw Jesus as a man. They both subscribe to what I call the “wimp factor”. If someone sees a scripture like this, they might totally become a weak pacifist:
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39
Can it really mean that we are not supposed to fight? Were these the words that came out of the lips of a man who threw moneychangers out of the temple with a whip? Absolutely! So does it mean that there is a contradiction in the Bible? Look at these:
"This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight' 1 Timothy 1:18
'Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air." 1 Corinthians 9:26
"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:4
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1Timothy 6:12
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
These words also came from the lips of Jesus in Luke 22:38“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” His disciples told him that they had two swords, and he let them know that it was sufficient."
So which Jesus do you follow? Is it the wimpy, cushy, marshmallow Jesus that just let’s people run all over him? Or is it the Warrior King Jesus who returns in Revelation 19 as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords? Will he turn his cheek to the Antichrist, or are his clothes dipped in the blood of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God? While Christians everywhere are snuggling up with the teddy bear Jesus, as for me and my household, we bow to the mighty Word of God.What do you think?
I was the master of Christian hypocrites. That is why I have earned the right to start this blog. Nobody was better at playing the “double life” than me. I could go to church and raise my hands with the best of them. I could quote scriptures that would "WOW" most Christians. When it came to looking religious, I had the game down pat. I doubt anyone was better than me.Unfortunately, I was also the master of deception. I engaged in all the things that most male sex addicts engaged in: porn, escorts, and gentlemen’s clubs. I would seem shocked when someone would cuss, yet I cussed off church premises all the time. Is it any wonder that Jesus was always busting the chops of the Pharisees? The sad news is that I am not unique. The church today is full of men exactly like I was.“Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1Peter 1: 15-16
It’s time for us to get real. It is time for us to stop leading double lives. It is time for us to get honest with ourselves, and then get accountable with other Christian men. If we are going to lead a life that pleases God, we are going to have to learn to fight the good fight of faith.The judgment of God is fast approaching.
