“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” (Matthew 21:12-13)
God has wrought a great work that man had gone too far to do himself in this society. The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, a 50 year old unconstitutional decision that opened the door to more than 60 million deaths of unborn, was a work of God using a former president to replace Justice Seats vacated, by those who would closely and courageously scrutinize the legality of that former decision. For 50 years we have been lacking the courage and the wisdom to accomplish this feat. But God . . .
Christians are filled with often out of control celebration over this great victory. Those who are not celebrating, but rather planning severe even violent reprisals, will not be won over by fists of victory held against their noses. Yes, I am very happy and relieved that this decision to overturn finally arrived in my lifetime, but the way we believers will act today may have a bearing on a soul saved or a soul lost. What Would Jesus Do? What did Jesus do?
Some are already using the example of Jesus cleansing the Temple (above) as permission to behave rudely. There are several points involved in this passage, but let me get to the very heart of the matter here. Jesus went into the temple of God! Jesus saw some things going on in the temple that had no business being in His House of Prayer, so He went in and cleaned them out!
Beloved believers, I wonder what goes on in your church which He would have to clear out, if you ever let Him in?! What table might you be seated at which He would need to turn over?
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:17-19)
We must get own house in order before anyone will hear the Words of God from us. But, how are we to act?
“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
Psalm One is right up there with Psalm 23 for me, and has been for about 30 years. But understand, this in no way says we are to avoid the “sinner”; no, we simply do not guide our walk by their counsel. We do not take a stand on the ungodly path of life which they choose, and neither do we take a seat, relax in the presence of, the negative, scornful, contemptuous ungodly souls. Do not abide with them. There is no way we can avoid worldly people, neither should we. What did Jesus do?
“Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Mark 2:15-17)
Beloved, we have forgotten who and Who’s we are. Christianity is in danger of condemning the very ones we are called to care for; to rescue. There are sick souls who need us, with prayer through love to show them a better way.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
The Great Commission is to “go into all the world . . .” How can we even begin to “go” if we do not lovingly get close without condemning, then as the Spirit leads, show them the Way to make best choices. Be “in” the world, but not “of” the world—do not conform to the ways of the world. Believer, without “sinners” in our lives, we cannot do what we are commanded to do . . . rejoice to save some, and then see, here’s more.
“I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:14-15)
There is a joy and a danger available in these particular days in making history by the Supreme Court. You may recognize the joy, and ignore the danger. Thusly, the most prevalent sin is in your heart and mind; and every so often, comes out of your mouth. God demands purity! Do not dirty the work He has brought by displaying an ugly heart, mind, and mouth. Choose Joy and holiness! Come on, Church, let be the Church! Pray On!
“Come now, and let us reason (not argue)together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
