The Toughness of Christ

"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."

"Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

"Why do you test me, you hypocrites?"

"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched."

"I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I can to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

"Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."

(Matt 5:23-24, Matt 12:34, Matt 15:11, Mat 22:18, Mark 9:45, Luke 12:49-53, Luke 18:29-30)

Good morning/afternoon/evening to everyone. We continue today on our series on the Character of Christ with a study on how tough He can be. Sometimes people picture him as this long-haired hippie type, who wants peace on Earth or something. (which is why I love that first Luke passage.) But who He really is is much different than society and often we portray him to be.

So I just wanted to remind you that the above verses shouldn't be taken out of context for spiritual purposes. I did so today to show quotes by Jesus that show the different sides of His very complex character. When He stood on this Earth, he wasn't all "love thy neighbor" and "turn the other cheek" all the time. He did say things like that, and sometimes often. But He also got angry. Anger is not a sin in and of itself, but only what one commits under it. It's kind of like getting drunk (except that's a sin also... just go with it). Having a few drinks isn't necessarily bad, but if you let the alcohol take over you, or do something like drive under the influence, it is very bad. The things you do under it aren't good, so it's usually best to stay away from it.

I love the Man who spoke those words at the top of this post with all my heart and soul. There are many people out there who don't like the softness in Christ they perceive. He is weak, in their eyes. I hope and pray that even one of those read this, because that person needs to hear about the many other sides of Christ.

By the way... Thanks very much to Kath, the word is "Deism". I forgot this on Encouragement Night. ("believing in a neutral god")

I pray these words are pleasing to the Lord and a blessing to you.
In His Service,
Joyce