Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday May 9, 2006

Got a call from the newspaper during the past week and the writer wanted to know, "Dr. Lilly what is a British religion?" It took me a while to figure out what he meant. I pulled up the news release for this Sunday and it became apparent that he was misreading the title for Sunday evening's sermon, 'Marks of Brutish Religion." No, dear friend 'Brutish Religion' is not a church dominated by mother in laws.

The title, "Marks of Brutish Religion" is based on a group of false teachers mentioned in Jude 8-10. I do not expect to be called upon to write a brief article on this sermon for any purse driven magazine.

Brutish religion according to the 'likewise' in verse 8 is out of bounds at least. The preceding verses teach that no one can operate out of bounds and fail to suffer severe penalties as a result. Israel, angels and the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah are given as extreme examples. Pretty plain though it lacks the warm and comfy touch.

That we live in a day dominated by non-biblical religion is beyond dispute. That we live in the day of 'dreamed up' religion is testified to on every hand.

Human instinct unfettered by any sense of responsible living is the in thing and men live as though there is no God and no Pay Day Someday. For a number of years the in slogan was bantered about with a knowing smile, 'If it feels good, do it.' This philosophy permeated every facet of life in Western Civilization. That which was formerly 'bantered' is now a lifestyle.

A life without rules of any kind was the lifestyle mentioned and condemned by Jude and it is the style of choice by the masses.

I was talking with a 'right wing' man the other day and in the course of the conversation he posited that we do not need any sort of government. I listened for a spell and I then asked him what about government established by God in Genesis? I further set him in a Tasmanian Devil type fit when I pointed that his arguments against any form of government were identical to those of a noted leftist. He demanded the name of said leftist and I whispered, Karl Marx.

The mark of the 'Brute Beasts' of Jude is their demand to 'cast off any restraint' and capitulate to the corrupt desires of the natural man. These 'teachers' not only rail against leaders but against the principle of government period. Certainly men are to rule for God on the earth and that men fail to do this is evidenced on every hand. Yet, we are not to be against the principle of government for it is established by God and used by Him to accomplish at least part of His will in the earth.

The 'Brute Beast' operates totally in the arena of instinct. Men are to function as creatures made in the image of God and made new creatures through Jesus Christ.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE