Wednesday, August 24, 2011

How, Not to be a Christian IV

If you are asking yourself 'What is Christianity' then you need to know what it isn't:
 The Final Step – BETRAYAL

What makes each instant of betrayal so painful is that someone who knows your heart – someone who knows your longings, desires, dreams, ethics and character – someone who knows the truth, turns from that and chooses to believe you are something else.

When betrayed, your mind freezes as it struggles to grasp how your spouse, your friend, a family member, someone who knew you deeply, intimately, could turn on you and attack you with the intent of doing you great physical, mental, and emotional harm; for their gain.  Betrayal is Evil in its purest form.

On the night of the last supper, Jesus prophesied that one of you will betray me.  The disciples hurriedly looked around, surely not me, is it you?  Judas knew it was himself that Jesus addressed; Judas had to be in shock – ‘How could he know?’  Judas knew, but
for a fistful of coins he chose to betray Jesus anyway.  Most if not all ‘Christians’ would agree with my belief that I do not expect to see Judas in heaven, He is after all guilty of the most hideous of crimes……Betrayal of Christ. 

Every Christian knows all about Judas, so the story holds little drama for us; but we only focus on the ending.  We overlook the beginning when Jesus chose Judas after praying all night.  We forget that they spent every day together for three years, talking, eating together and laughing.  When Jesus sent his disciples out to minister, Judas was one of them.  Judas was an intimate actor in the miracle of feeding 5,000 people; along with the rest of the disciples, his rough hands, reeking of fish, took the loaves of barley bread from Jesus, ripping off chunks to give to the mass of hungry people.  He was in the boat when Jesus calmed the sea.  When you read of the disciples questioning Jesus, Judas was there.  Those questions might have been the very question Judas asked.  Judas was there for all of it.  Judas knew the truth, he chose evil nevertheless

What began as an assumption, took root as an offense, growing into anger, finally produced the fruit of Betrayal.  How comfortable we feel, because we are not like Judas.  Betrayal calls good – evil.  We are nothing like that. 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” 
Luke 6:46

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.  You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  “James
2:18-19

God will ask each of us one day, “What did you do to my Son?”  For what we do to one another, we do to Christ.  We cannot have faith in Christ without being faithful to Christ.

Betrayal is the fruit of a thought you decided to act on. 

(Just a short list of betrayals)

Adultery – Betrayal of Christ
Sex outside of marriage - Betrayal of Christ
Incest – Betrayal of Christ
Theft – Betrayal of Christ
Murder – Betrayal of Christ
Slander – Betrayal of Christ
Lust – Betrayal of Christ
Cheating – Betrayal of Christ
Divorce – Betrayal of Christ
Envy – Betrayal of Christ
Self-righteousness – Betrayal of Christ
Gossip – Betrayal of Christ
Greed – Betrayal of Christ
Indifference – Betrayal of Christ
Worship of your own God (Money, self, career, etc.) – Betrayal of Christ
Deliberately sinning once you’ve proclaimed your faith in Jesus – Betrayal of Christ.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’  Matthew 7:20-23

Betrayal is a Mortal Sin – just ask Judas


How Not to be a Christian part 3 

Living Beyond Your Feelings: Controlling Emotions So They Don't Control You 


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