Christian Living

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November 22, 2011 – Great Disturbances

23 But as time went on, there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way [of the Lord]. – Acts 19:23 AMP

Today’s verse centers on commotion in the city of Ephesus. Ephesus was the home of the temple to the goddess Artemis. A silversmith named Demetrius was losing business making shrines to Artemis because of Paul, who was preaching to the people of Ephesus about a God not made with human hands (Acts 19:26). Demetrius got many of his fellow tradesmen together and started a protest that lasted several hours. They flooded into the city amphitheater, which is today an archaeological site and whose seating capacity is estimated at twenty-five thousand. They caused such a disturbance that the city clerk had to get involved. He calmed the riotous crowd down and sent them away. Seems like a lot of turmoil for someone not getting their way.

Christianity today is under attack today the same way. For example, atheists and homosexual groups everywhere schedule public events to promote their beliefs. Do we protest? You bet we do, or we should. Usually it is on a small scale and very peaceful. But turn the tables. When Christians schedule public events, or outreaches, as we like to call them, there’s always some group out there showing up in mass and hurling obscenities galore and even throwing things. Do we retaliate? Occasionally we do. It’s human nature to want to defend your position. But I do not recall seeing a story out there where Christians met violence with violence.

Such protests are nothing new for Christianity. Our faith has been challenged since day one, when one hundred twenty of us were accused of being drunk (Acts 2:13). But over the generations that have followed, something stranger has arisen: Christians are the ones causing the disturbances.

First of all, countless numbers of cults have sprung from the Christian faith. They even use the Bible and are more times than not the result of someone who read between the lines of Scripture and drew an off-the-wall interpretation of the Truth. They in turn have set themselves up as a present day prophet with divine insight. Three apostles have already shed light on such people.

3 But if anyone teaches otherwise and does not assent to sound and wholesome messages of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and the teaching which is in agreement with godliness (piety toward God), 4 He is puffed up with pride and stupefied with conceit [although he is] woefully ignorant. He has a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in (produce) envy and jealousy, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions, 5 And protracted wrangling and wearing discussion and perpetual friction among men who are corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, who imagine that godliness or righteousness is a source of profit [a money-making business, a means of livelihood]. From such withdraw. – 1 Timothy 6:3-5 AMP

15 And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord [His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world] is salvation (that which is conducive to the soul’s safety), even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the spiritual insight given him, 16 Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue to their own utter destruction, just as [they distort and misinterpret] the rest of the Scriptures. 17 Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]. – 2 Peter 3:15-17 AMP

9 Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement. – 2 John 9-10 AMP

Those are pretty tough words, huh? Paul, Peter, and John had to deal with people trying to twist Scriptures in their day. But I can guarantee you a few things. If a Jehovah Witness showed up at John’s door, he would have told them about the Truth, sent them away, and not wished them well in their endeavor. If a Mormon were to approach Paul to defend his religion, it would have been in vain. And God Himself only knows how Peter would have responded to any present day cult and its leader.

Now I am not saying that cults that spring from Christianity are the only ones causing chaos. Pastors who teach unsound Biblical principles disturb the faith and should be avoided. Churches who center themselves on a man and not God are basically a cult. Denominations that ordain homosexual pastors are asking for trouble. And Christians who relax their morals to better fit into an immoral world better check themselves as well.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly) I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. – Matthew 7:21-23 AMP

Just because you have a Bible and a Jesus fish on your car doesn’t make you a Christian. Living an uncompromised life with God as your Lord and Savior makes you a Christian. Doing so requires that we stop listening to the world around us. It requires that we stop listening to ourselves. Stop and listen to God. Read His Word. His instructions are actually in print. When you make the determination to listen, read, and follow God’s will for your life, there will be no turmoil in your life. Does that disturb you greatly?

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