Using Fear for Salvation

I’ve heard it said that the way to reach people in these days of the 21^st Century is to teach “Fire and Brimstone” so as to instill fear. If you make people fear the last days enough they will turn to God and be saved. I understand the desire to see people receive the salvation that God would have them to but I’m not so certain that it would be by manipulation. Our responsibility as son’s and daughters of God is to simply testify of God’s goodness and grace, to love and show kindness. Certainly they need to hear the reality of being separated from God and the dangers of falling into the temptations of sin, though it should be of a willful decision, not something because of fear.

I once read a book that spoke of how manipulative some churches had become to increase giving, to see souls saved, and to make children behave. Let’s look at the difference between influence and manipulation.

We’ll first define the two:

Influence: ability to make change or have an effect on others.

Manipulate: to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose.

As you can see these are very different. But as you can also see, to influence someone is certainly a more positive means not by unfair or artful means. When influencing you are gaining the ability by gaining trust and you gain trust by, telling the truth as it is, not embellishing. Embellishing the truth is turning the truth into a lie. You begin the process of manipulation when you begin forcing the change by means of fear, not allowing them to willfully make up there own mind based on the truth, based on the facts. In one book the writer said manipulation is no more than witchcraft since it is basically an illegitimate means of authority or self imposed power.

See, people have freewill. I believe to use scare tactics as a means to have someone receive Jesus is simply undermining the power of the Holy Spirit to draw people to Himself. If fear is the means then obviously in this context love is not. Jesus said in Luke 12:5; 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!  NKJV (please keep in context)

 1 John 4:18-1918 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. NKJV

As you should know, in the teachings of Jesus, He never attempted to scare people into believing but simply stated the facts. He befriended those that the religious group stayed away from and condemned. It was because of His compassion and ability to have relationships with those those others would not, but did not compromise principle. The people that heard His teaching either followed or they did not. That’s the way it should be in these days of the 21^st Century as well. A problem I see in our Christian society and churches today is you have to be the biggest, the best, the most holy, and the more spiritual than any of the others. It is actually those very attitudes in and among the church that discredit it in the community. The fact of the matter is none of that count for anything.

It’s typically those very churches that scream we’re not a “traditional (whatever denomination) church”, they brag about how they’re not legalistic and then they lead you right back under the law of bondage, the very thing Jesus died to keep us from. Jesus not one time led a Gentile to the law so He could explain grace.

But see it’s this mentality of trying to be good enough or thinking that we’ve arrived that brings about the use of manipulation. It works hand-n-hand you see. If you don’t sing like we do, if you don’t’ dress like we do, or use hymnals as we do then your not a true Christian. And nothing could be further from the truth!

You simply cannot control the decisions that others make and if you are controlling them or even trying, then you are operating with manipulative means and not out of love and compassion.Keep in mind; it is not our responsibility to save others, that’s Gods. Ours is to simply testify about God.

1 Cor 3:6-8

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. NKJV

Self Grafted Branches

A common denominator among those that begin their own branch of Christianity such as and specifically the Mormons founded by Joseph Smith, and the Seventh Day Adventist founded by Ellen White. They had both become disheartened with the church of the day regardless of denomination and decided to begin their own church and as they deemed the “true church”. What is also consistent among such founded organizations is the emphasis on the effort of the individual. It seems to me that they have discarded if you will the work of Christ and are now (as Paul warned the Galatians) trying to attain their goal by human effort. Although they talk about Jesus and claim salvation in Him the emphasis quickly becomes “effort”.

This has always been the issue with man and human nature has not changed. Man has always attempted to do things on his own. Adam and Eve chose the tree of knowledge rather than the tree of life; the Ten Commandments of God were not enough for the Israelites they had to continue to add to them. It’s interesting to me to see how we cannot simply receive the gift that God provided through Christ. His death and “finished work” on the cross, His resurrection, has given us hope of an eternal life that he made the way for. However whether pride, selfishness, arrogance, whatever we have a difficult time simply accepting this gift and reassuming the effort and it unfortunately will never be enough.

Although I see these things and understand that they happen, I simply am confounded that they are serious in their futile efforts. To have a sense of commitment to the Ten Commandments, and a sense of conviction to Sunday as the “Sabbath” is one thing but to see them a means of salvation is another entirely. These are the efforts the Israelites made that could never bring righteousness or salvation, what has changed about that? If these are the means then what was the purpose of Jesus coming and suffering the agonizing death that he endured? The scripture tells us in Heb 12:2 “for the joy set before him he endured the cross”. Would God send His son to endure such pain and agony to simply say, this really doesn’t mean anything, you’re still going have to live by the Law and Prophets? I simply don’t believe that.

More scripture:

Col 2:16-18; 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. NIV

Heb 8:7-9; 7 for if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. NIV

Heb 9:15; 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. NIV

Heb 10:19-22; 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. NIV

Replacement Theology?

Today, November 1, 2009 I have been introduced to yet another debate regarding the “Chosen of God”. I was speaking with some people I attend church with that happen to be (allegedly) converted Jewish believers and the discussion came up in Sunday school. What started the discussion was our study on Revelation chapter 6. It was mentioned that some things would have to happen with Israel and I asked “do you mean the physical or spiritual Israel?” That question seemed to open up a can of worms. That’s when I was told that my view was called “Replacement Theology” and that it was technically incorrect.  Not being familiar with the term I thought that I would ask questions and learn a little about before getting deep into a debate about it. I had heard of the “Two Covenant Theory” which I see as similar.

It turns out that Replacement Theology refers to those that believe the New Covenant church has replaced Israel as Gods chosen people and that God is finished with Israel as we once knew it. Quite frankly that’s the position I have taken for some time and it appears that many are greatly offended by the position. My concern with this is that we will never become the church or the affective church we should be if we are more concerned with our lineage and not our faith. I don’t really care what someone’s ethnicity is, the question is; are they a believer in Christ? It seems that they are so offended by the thought that a New Covenant has taken place that they refuse to see that the Old Covenant has been fulfilled.

My position is in no way intended to create, harbor or fuel any animosity toward any people or nationality but to simply be on the side of scripture. As I have prayerfully studied and came to understand it, the position of believing that the physical Jewish (only) are God’s chosen completely undermines and contradicts what Jesus came and did. Below are a few scripture to read and consider prayerfully:

Matt 5:17-20

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.  NIV

Eph 2:11-22

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 
(from New International Version)

Heb 10:19-22

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. NIV

I realize how controversial this is however the truth must be presented.