‘’Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! ‘’(Isaiah 5:20 King James Version (KJV)
Get thee behind me, Satan:…: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:23)
‘’Open rebuke is better than secret love’’(Proverbs 27:5)
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| Dr.Kato Mivule |
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.(Revelation 17:1-2)
…Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.(Revelation 18:4-5)
First read:
When a prominent African watchman was slain by the devilish enchantments of Babylon USA the great: The sad fall of Dr.Kato Mivule of yesumulungi.com Kindly Pray for this dear Brother
'Man Control', The End-time ImplicationsPart I: False Submissions, Total Rebellion http://www.geocities.ws/kmivule7/Comment4.htm ‘Man Control’, The End-time ImplicationsPart II: False Coverings, Spiritual Fornication http://www.geocities.ws/kmivule7/Comment5.htm
Setting Our Minds On Christ in This Day and Age
Preach God’s Word, Stick to Sound Doctrine
Uganda's Rotten Prosperity Movement, Very Unchristian
A Few Financial Questions For Ugandan Pastors Today
Kato Mivule Classic articles
The Fellowship of Christ’s SufferingsThe Last Days Invitational http://www.geocities.ws/kmivule7/Comment9.htm Kato MivuleJuly 17, 2005 “Christ Jesus will scrutinize ALL that we are and do with His Holy and Unfailing Word, Yes, with His eyes gazing through us with Flaming Lights of Fire to Purify; ALL that which is not from Him in us will die and with pain we must endure the sufferings, which is a very good thing for us.” Kato Mivule Philippians 3:10-1110 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. As we walk with in these last days, we are to draw closer God and to Christ Jesus. The times we are going through from today onwards are times of purification and times of Testings. These Testings will increase as even the tribulation times cover the whole world. For all the hearts of men will be tested. All Kingdoms and Nations will be tested and sad to say is that many will be measured and found wanting. The Topic of suffering is one that the Western Church has fought so hard to suppress overtly and subtly from the Bible and Church teachings. The messages we hear today are all conjured to create a sense of false security among Christians that everything will be okay with them. False Suffering Gospel Twist…Christians are told that suffering for Christ Jesus is for self-benefit rather than Christ, that they are to somehow get a positive outcome from their afflictions, which are said to be only temporal. But this attitude comes from Christians with a Business Babylonian Mammon mentality and whose brains have been seared by Corporate America. Suffering is positive to such Christians as long as it helps the bottom line of some “Christian Publishing Company”. If the Rich Men of The Earth that dwell in the Churches can some how gain financially from the sufferings that Christians go through then the Pastor and Preacher talks about it. The best example is of course the Purpose Driven Empire and TBN preachers who preach about “Overcoming Circumstances and Situations” so they can sell more DVDs, Books, and Videos...thus the famous Lakewood “How To…Steps” adage. Suffering to such gluttonous preachers is nothing but a means of gain. They enjoy seeing Christians suffer and then turn around and market the How-To-Escape-Sufferings solutions and manuals to Christians who go through hard times. Christians and the ‘Escapism Theology’…The Christians are to blame too because they go to these churches and watch TBN shows so as to get a relief and a temporary “feel good” psychological effect that somehow the Hairdo Preacher will speak them out of their predicament. All this is nonsense and a sour and bitter manipulation of what suffering is supposed to mean to the Body of Christ. To such greedy preachers suffering is a very big fat gain to the bottom-line of their Corporations they love to call Church. How many books have been sold around such false hope? Take a look around any Book Store and you will find that many are just around the topic of escaping suffering or what I call ‘Escapism Theology’. The ‘Left Behind Series’ is one example of how Christian suffering is manipulated for gain by a few Christian elite, which is all about ‘Escapism’. American Preachers and Pastors face the greatest judgment for lying to their members on the issue of suffering and will be taken by surprise when the Tribulation Period begins. The greatest to suffer ignominy will be the sweet-talk Preachers on Christian TV and Radio who have built all time careers by manipulating the sufferings of Christians for their own interior and ulterior evil motivated gains of greed. Will You Accept The Invite to Join the Fellowship?However, this is a topic that ALL Christians who truly love Jesus Christ and His True and Holy Word will not escape. All will have to test and agree to the invitation to join The Fellowship of Christ Sufferings. The Western Church has so much dodged this around and gone after fellowships with purpose driven preachers and prosperity teachers hoodwinking them with false hope. The challenge is your now and I ask will you accept the Invitation from Jesus Christ to join The Fellowship of Christ’s Suffering? Paul the Apostle gives us a very good illustration by what he means by The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings. I sometimes marvel at all the American Ivy League Seminaries and Bible Colleges that claim to love the teachings and letters of Paul yet they hate and with loathing the lifestyle of Paul the Apostle. Paul the Apostle lost ALL but American Dallas Seminary and Fuller Seminary produced preachers have gained ALL. The contrast cannot be so much vivid than that painted by American Preachers and Pastors who have come out with a false suffering teaching, often it is very fatalistic and with a false purpose to keep Christians in their churches and pay for books and multi-media material, and keeps these Ivy League Pharisee Seminarians in their jobs. Jesus Christ set the best example that we all must follow. All who love Christ Jesus will have to endure and walk in the Master’s steps. The invitation to join in the Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings means a loss to all that we count worthy in this world and all that Christ Jesus considers worthless according to His True and unfailing Word. Philippians 3:1-71 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Suffering The Loss of ALL Things…Paul the celebrated Apostle in America’s Christian Pharisee and Bible College Academia SUFFERED the LOSS of ALL things for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus. He was high up in the echelons of his day in both religious and political circles. He was well ‘Connected’ and ‘Conformed’ so well with the religious and political pyramid structure of his day. However, when He met Jesus Christ, everything that he counted as worthy and useful was laid bare before Christ Jesus as Junk and clog that would only hinder Paul’s relationship with Christ. That is why Christ allowed Paul to be blinded on the road to Damascus. There is no way Paul would see Jesus Christ and stay with the old eyes he had. The shells had to fall off. For Paul EVERYTHING HE GAINED he counted as LOSS for the sake of Christ. That calling is not only for Paul but a calling for all Christians around the world including America and her ‘Escapism’ mentality Christians. The invitational is on in these last days for all who would love to walk with Jesus Christ in these days. The Last Days Invitational is not for a few but all. However, few accept the invite. The reason why Christians will have to go through Tribulations is that Christians will make their last choice on if to accept Christ’s Invitational into His Fellowship or not. Don’t make a mistake about it, you cannot fellowship with Christ Jesus and disregard His sufferings. ALL who Love Jesus Christ must prepare their minds and hearts to endure sufferings, especially in these last days. The sufferings are to purify us and remove all the junk and filth we have entwined to. The sufferings are to bring brokenness, purity and holiness of Christ Jesus in us without which we cannot see God. God’s Holy and True Word cuts through bone and marrow separating that which is of Christ Jesus from that which is not. The hate and fury of failed economies and nations will be turned towards Christians who will be seen as somehow responsible for the calamities befalling earth. Satan will go on a hunting spree for all who truly love Jesus Christ to TORTURE and Kill them. The saints must be prepared for what is coming ahead. This is what makes my heart sad as I watch American Pharisee Graduates from Dallas, Fuller and other Ivy League Seminaries deceive Christians that somehow they will ‘escape these things’ through a secret rapture. When that time comes, everyone will loose everything and will either choose to follow Christ Jesus or the Anti Christ. There is not going to be a middle ground. However, as Christians today, it is time that we take on the Last Days Invitational now and join the fellowship of Christ sufferings and count ALL as loss before that great tribulation begins. Those who refuse will be FORCED to make a choice in a few days ahead. Philippians 3:8-98 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: The reason of Christ’s sufferings is that we lose ALL so we can GAIN Him. I remember a bumper sticker in Africa that read “No Pain No Gain”, whatever the owner of the car meant by that is unknown. However, as Christians, this is a call that we endure sufferings and pains for Christ, counting ALL things as loss that we may gain Christ Jesus. This is not that we gain our own salvation by works; this is that we may get rid of all the clog and hindrances that prevent us from communing with Christ Jesus at His Table. There is only one Chair per person at Christ’s Banquet; you cannot come in with all your luggage, baggage and garbage at the banquet… Sufferings a Tool For Christ To Purify His Bride...It is through sufferings that we let go of all the garbage and junk that Christ Jesus considers unworthy. This does not only apply to Christians who have not experienced the wilderness and sufferings of Christ, but also even we Christians who have been in the wilderness and experienced Christ’s sufferings. The purification goes on. Christ Jesus will scrutinize ALL that we are and do with His Holy and Unfailing Word, Yes, with His eyes gazing through us with Flaming Lights of Fire to Purify; ALL that which is not from Him in us will die and with pain we must endure the sufferings, which is a good thing for us. It will purify us and we must allow this, even those who have been in the wilderness, we still have lots of junk we might hold to but we cannot refrain from the furnace and purifications of Jesus Christ. Let us allow Jesus to remove all the spiritual junk that does not meet the standard of His Holy and True Word and allow Him to purify us for His Banquet. All that does not meet God’s standard will die, this is a warning especially for ALL who are ministers, don’t walk away from the furnace of the Lord. Our Ministries will be tested and scrutinized by God’s unfailing word, our Character refined until it meets that of Christ Jesus and every form of Pharisee-ism will have to flee from us. This will go on until we shall be like Jesus Christ. There are some Christians walking around thinking that because they endured some part of the furnace last year, they don’t have to endure again, that is lies from Satan to clog you again with junk and hinder your growth in Christ Jesus. All we consider as worthy will die, including our precious ministries, yes, they will all come to an end and all we shall have is Jesus Christ. Yes, suffering for Christ is a Privilege, don’t be foolish to discard it. The world will soon be thrown into tremendous sufferings for their hate towards God; so why not join The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings now? Christ will Scrutinize and Purify His Bride... There are many Christians who have been through the wilderness but think that is it and it was just History. They are deceived, this is an ongoing process until Christ Jesus comes for His Bride. Christ Jesus will Scrutinize us through His Holy Word and whatever does not agree with His True and Holy Living word will die, we shall have to count that as loss, this includes ministries, churches, websites, fellowships, church members etc, all that will not pass the Test of Christ’s Holy and True Word will surely die, and I say this is a good thing for our own benefit so we can focus on Him alone and not what He has given us. The False Righteousness I Witnessed in America...So, Paul counted all as loss and nothing that is worthy in this world was to stay between him and The Lord. The works of our hands and accomplishments always produce a kind of false righteousness in Christians. American Christians are very typical of this than I have seen anywhere. People here in America are captured by a sense of False Righteousness because of the family they come from, the riches and affluence of their families, the churches they attend, the colleges, jobs, cars they drive etc. There is a false sense of one being acceptable to God because they attended Harvard University or some Ivy League School. These hypocritical Christians walk into church every Sunday and are encouraged by Ivy League Seminary (Cemetery) Graduates that they are okay and are assured a free passport with a Visa to Heaven. However, when one looks at these folks through the light of God’s True Unfailing Word, we find many wanting. When I arrived in the USA about 6 years ago, I was totally shocked and surprised by this false righteousness that these Christians held to. I went before God and said to my self, I must be a sinner, I am poor and I am from Africa, we suffer a lot and we must have wronged God somewhere, I searched to find out where we went wrong so I could repent and get this righteousness and holiness American Christians seemed to have. The Lord later revealed to me that this was ALL hypocrisy and His Fear and Holiness was not in the American Church. The Lord showed me this later when I visited different churches in America. So, Paul knew this and counted all things as Loss and a refuse before God so that He would know and Love Christ Jesus from a free and pure heart. The Pharisee Seminary Graduates from Dallas and Fuller backed by TBN and the Purpose Driven guy, whose name I keep forgetting J, have told us over and over again through their Christian Media that we can keep our riches, materialism and serve God. They have told us that suffering is just a purpose to get to better ‘Destinies’, that this is just a stepping stone to get climb the Christian Corporate ladder. However, the coming economic crash will prove all this to be mere junk and a house built on quick sinking sand. USA Babylon's Materialism Won't Be Used to Preach The End Time Gospel... Jesus Christ DOES NOT NEED THE MATERIALISMS OF AMERICA TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL. Jesus Christ will provide for His own Children during the great tribulation. He will not provide using the American Dollar that has been dedicated to the Babylonian gods of mammon. That is why Christ Jesus waits for the economic crash and tribulation period and when no one has money, then He will provide for His people to preach the Gospel to All Nations. How much money did the Apostles have in the upper room to spread the gospel around their world? I can hear TBN preachers salivating, wanting to create a ‘Bring it to the Apostles feet’ now doctrine…nay, it won’t happen! If you have rejected The Last Days Invitational for The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings, then forget about provision in the Tribulation period. You might as well sell more Purpose Driven Books and make a quick buck that will then be removed from you before it is too late! Ha, Ha, Ha! TBN Bad Boys, 'What Cha Gonna Do When They Come For You', Ha, Ha, Ha...So, the lies that we have to gain mammon from Babylon America to preach the gospel of Christ Jesus does not hold water because very soon Babylon America will have no money, all the 401Ks will be gone, the NASDAQ and Dow Jones will be history, ALL your savings gone, and your Banks gone. So, Rev, Bishop, Dr, Hairdo TBN Preacher, what' cha gonna do? How will you fly that Corporate Gulf Stream Jet? Where will you get the gas? Will you join the war for Oil in the Middle East, maybe Texas? Won’t you create your own Weapons of Mass Destruction fixture? Maybe your deacons will have WMDs and the Church Elders will possess Biological Chemical Weapons. Ha, Ha, Ha! Why not run to Willow Creek and Saddleback and get a refund from Purpose Driven Inc? Won’t you issue a Code Red Terror Alert for that ‘Left Behind’ insurgent Tim LaHaye? Hmmm it looks like he ‘Left You Behind’ mere books and your wife needs real food. Won’t you borrow a leaf from Dubya Inc, ah? That screaming Christian TV Mrs. Pastor and “First Lady” will be on your neck to provide food on the table for your kids whose computer video games don’t work any more. Where will your ‘Word of Faith’ be? So, where will you host ‘Praise The Lord’ when power is gone, no diesel for the power generator and no Power Sermons anymore? Won’t you simply “Speak the word, Money come, money cometh”…and money will go and money will goeth… Ha, Ha, Ha! The Last Days Invitational to freely Join The Fellowship of Christ’s Suffering is open now and for all freely, no membership fee is required, just a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Don’t reject the times of Purification for Holiness, Righteousness and Purity before God by His Scrutinizing Holy and True Unfailing Word, which time is now. Let go of all Evangelical and Charismatic Spiritual Junk and let Jesus Christ be your Exceedingly Great Reward. Philippians 3:8-98 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: To be continued…Your Brother in Christ JesusKato MivuleKmivule7@yahoo.com The Fellowship of Christ’s SufferingsThe Last Days Invitational http://www.geocities.ws/kmivule7/Comment9.htm Kato MivuleJuly 17, 2005 “Christ Jesus will scrutinize ALL that we are and do with His Holy and Unfailing Word, Yes, with His eyes gazing through us with Flaming Lights of Fire to Purify; ALL that which is not from Him in us will die and with pain we must endure the sufferings, which is a very good thing for us.” Kato Mivule Philippians 3:10-1110 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. As we walk with in these last days, we are to draw closer God and to Christ Jesus. The times we are going through from today onwards are times of purification and times of Testings. These Testings will increase as even the tribulation times cover the whole world. For all the hearts of men will be tested. All Kingdoms and Nations will be tested and sad to say is that many will be measured and found wanting. The Topic of suffering is one that the Western Church has fought so hard to suppress overtly and subtly from the Bible and Church teachings. The messages we hear today are all conjured to create a sense of false security among Christians that everything will be okay with them. False Suffering Gospel Twist…Christians are told that suffering for Christ Jesus is for self-benefit rather than Christ, that they are to somehow get a positive outcome from their afflictions, which are said to be only temporal. But this attitude comes from Christians with a Business Babylonian Mammon mentality and whose brains have been seared by Corporate America. Suffering is positive to such Christians as long as it helps the bottom line of some “Christian Publishing Company”. If the Rich Men of The Earth that dwell in the Churches can some how gain financially from the sufferings that Christians go through then the Pastor and Preacher talks about it. The best example is of course the Purpose Driven Empire and TBN preachers who preach about “Overcoming Circumstances and Situations” so they can sell more DVDs, Books, and Videos...thus the famous Lakewood “How To…Steps” adage. Suffering to such gluttonous preachers is nothing but a means of gain. They enjoy seeing Christians suffer and then turn around and market the How-To-Escape-Sufferings solutions and manuals to Christians who go through hard times. Christians and the ‘Escapism Theology’…The Christians are to blame too because they go to these churches and watch TBN shows so as to get a relief and a temporary “feel good” psychological effect that somehow the Hairdo Preacher will speak them out of their predicament. All this is nonsense and a sour and bitter manipulation of what suffering is supposed to mean to the Body of Christ. To such greedy preachers suffering is a very big fat gain to the bottom-line of their Corporations they love to call Church. How many books have been sold around such false hope? Take a look around any Book Store and you will find that many are just around the topic of escaping suffering or what I call ‘Escapism Theology’. The ‘Left Behind Series’ is one example of how Christian suffering is manipulated for gain by a few Christian elite, which is all about ‘Escapism’. American Preachers and Pastors face the greatest judgment for lying to their members on the issue of suffering and will be taken by surprise when the Tribulation Period begins. The greatest to suffer ignominy will be the sweet-talk Preachers on Christian TV and Radio who have built all time careers by manipulating the sufferings of Christians for their own interior and ulterior evil motivated gains of greed. Will You Accept The Invite to Join the Fellowship?However, this is a topic that ALL Christians who truly love Jesus Christ and His True and Holy Word will not escape. All will have to test and agree to the invitation to join The Fellowship of Christ Sufferings. The Western Church has so much dodged this around and gone after fellowships with purpose driven preachers and prosperity teachers hoodwinking them with false hope. The challenge is your now and I ask will you accept the Invitation from Jesus Christ to join The Fellowship of Christ’s Suffering? Paul the Apostle gives us a very good illustration by what he means by The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings. I sometimes marvel at all the American Ivy League Seminaries and Bible Colleges that claim to love the teachings and letters of Paul yet they hate and with loathing the lifestyle of Paul the Apostle. Paul the Apostle lost ALL but American Dallas Seminary and Fuller Seminary produced preachers have gained ALL. The contrast cannot be so much vivid than that painted by American Preachers and Pastors who have come out with a false suffering teaching, often it is very fatalistic and with a false purpose to keep Christians in their churches and pay for books and multi-media material, and keeps these Ivy League Pharisee Seminarians in their jobs. Jesus Christ set the best example that we all must follow. All who love Christ Jesus will have to endure and walk in the Master’s steps. The invitation to join in the Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings means a loss to all that we count worthy in this world and all that Christ Jesus considers worthless according to His True and unfailing Word. Philippians 3:1-71 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Suffering The Loss of ALL Things…Paul the celebrated Apostle in America’s Christian Pharisee and Bible College Academia SUFFERED the LOSS of ALL things for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus. He was high up in the echelons of his day in both religious and political circles. He was well ‘Connected’ and ‘Conformed’ so well with the religious and political pyramid structure of his day. However, when He met Jesus Christ, everything that he counted as worthy and useful was laid bare before Christ Jesus as Junk and clog that would only hinder Paul’s relationship with Christ. That is why Christ allowed Paul to be blinded on the road to Damascus. There is no way Paul would see Jesus Christ and stay with the old eyes he had. The shells had to fall off. For Paul EVERYTHING HE GAINED he counted as LOSS for the sake of Christ. That calling is not only for Paul but a calling for all Christians around the world including America and her ‘Escapism’ mentality Christians. The invitational is on in these last days for all who would love to walk with Jesus Christ in these days. The Last Days Invitational is not for a few but all. However, few accept the invite. The reason why Christians will have to go through Tribulations is that Christians will make their last choice on if to accept Christ’s Invitational into His Fellowship or not. Don’t make a mistake about it, you cannot fellowship with Christ Jesus and disregard His sufferings. ALL who Love Jesus Christ must prepare their minds and hearts to endure sufferings, especially in these last days. The sufferings are to purify us and remove all the junk and filth we have entwined to. The sufferings are to bring brokenness, purity and holiness of Christ Jesus in us without which we cannot see God. God’s Holy and True Word cuts through bone and marrow separating that which is of Christ Jesus from that which is not. The hate and fury of failed economies and nations will be turned towards Christians who will be seen as somehow responsible for the calamities befalling earth. Satan will go on a hunting spree for all who truly love Jesus Christ to TORTURE and Kill them. The saints must be prepared for what is coming ahead. This is what makes my heart sad as I watch American Pharisee Graduates from Dallas, Fuller and other Ivy League Seminaries deceive Christians that somehow they will ‘escape these things’ through a secret rapture. When that time comes, everyone will loose everything and will either choose to follow Christ Jesus or the Anti Christ. There is not going to be a middle ground. However, as Christians today, it is time that we take on the Last Days Invitational now and join the fellowship of Christ sufferings and count ALL as loss before that great tribulation begins. Those who refuse will be FORCED to make a choice in a few days ahead. Philippians 3:8-98 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: The reason of Christ’s sufferings is that we lose ALL so we can GAIN Him. I remember a bumper sticker in Africa that read “No Pain No Gain”, whatever the owner of the car meant by that is unknown. However, as Christians, this is a call that we endure sufferings and pains for Christ, counting ALL things as loss that we may gain Christ Jesus. This is not that we gain our own salvation by works; this is that we may get rid of all the clog and hindrances that prevent us from communing with Christ Jesus at His Table. There is only one Chair per person at Christ’s Banquet; you cannot come in with all your luggage, baggage and garbage at the banquet… Sufferings a Tool For Christ To Purify His Bride...It is through sufferings that we let go of all the garbage and junk that Christ Jesus considers unworthy. This does not only apply to Christians who have not experienced the wilderness and sufferings of Christ, but also even we Christians who have been in the wilderness and experienced Christ’s sufferings. The purification goes on. Christ Jesus will scrutinize ALL that we are and do with His Holy and Unfailing Word, Yes, with His eyes gazing through us with Flaming Lights of Fire to Purify; ALL that which is not from Him in us will die and with pain we must endure the sufferings, which is a good thing for us. It will purify us and we must allow this, even those who have been in the wilderness, we still have lots of junk we might hold to but we cannot refrain from the furnace and purifications of Jesus Christ. Let us allow Jesus to remove all the spiritual junk that does not meet the standard of His Holy and True Word and allow Him to purify us for His Banquet. All that does not meet God’s standard will die, this is a warning especially for ALL who are ministers, don’t walk away from the furnace of the Lord. Our Ministries will be tested and scrutinized by God’s unfailing word, our Character refined until it meets that of Christ Jesus and every form of Pharisee-ism will have to flee from us. This will go on until we shall be like Jesus Christ. There are some Christians walking around thinking that because they endured some part of the furnace last year, they don’t have to endure again, that is lies from Satan to clog you again with junk and hinder your growth in Christ Jesus. All we consider as worthy will die, including our precious ministries, yes, they will all come to an end and all we shall have is Jesus Christ. Yes, suffering for Christ is a Privilege, don’t be foolish to discard it. The world will soon be thrown into tremendous sufferings for their hate towards God; so why not join The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings now? Christ will Scrutinize and Purify His Bride... There are many Christians who have been through the wilderness but think that is it and it was just History. They are deceived, this is an ongoing process until Christ Jesus comes for His Bride. Christ Jesus will Scrutinize us through His Holy Word and whatever does not agree with His True and Holy Living word will die, we shall have to count that as loss, this includes ministries, churches, websites, fellowships, church members etc, all that will not pass the Test of Christ’s Holy and True Word will surely die, and I say this is a good thing for our own benefit so we can focus on Him alone and not what He has given us. The False Righteousness I Witnessed in America...So, Paul counted all as loss and nothing that is worthy in this world was to stay between him and The Lord. The works of our hands and accomplishments always produce a kind of false righteousness in Christians. American Christians are very typical of this than I have seen anywhere. People here in America are captured by a sense of False Righteousness because of the family they come from, the riches and affluence of their families, the churches they attend, the colleges, jobs, cars they drive etc. There is a false sense of one being acceptable to God because they attended Harvard University or some Ivy League School. These hypocritical Christians walk into church every Sunday and are encouraged by Ivy League Seminary (Cemetery) Graduates that they are okay and are assured a free passport with a Visa to Heaven. However, when one looks at these folks through the light of God’s True Unfailing Word, we find many wanting. When I arrived in the USA about 6 years ago, I was totally shocked and surprised by this false righteousness that these Christians held to. I went before God and said to my self, I must be a sinner, I am poor and I am from Africa, we suffer a lot and we must have wronged God somewhere, I searched to find out where we went wrong so I could repent and get this righteousness and holiness American Christians seemed to have. The Lord later revealed to me that this was ALL hypocrisy and His Fear and Holiness was not in the American Church. The Lord showed me this later when I visited different churches in America. So, Paul knew this and counted all things as Loss and a refuse before God so that He would know and Love Christ Jesus from a free and pure heart. The Pharisee Seminary Graduates from Dallas and Fuller backed by TBN and the Purpose Driven guy, whose name I keep forgetting J, have told us over and over again through their Christian Media that we can keep our riches, materialism and serve God. They have told us that suffering is just a purpose to get to better ‘Destinies’, that this is just a stepping stone to get climb the Christian Corporate ladder. However, the coming economic crash will prove all this to be mere junk and a house built on quick sinking sand. USA Babylon's Materialism Won't Be Used to Preach The End Time Gospel... Jesus Christ DOES NOT NEED THE MATERIALISMS OF AMERICA TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL. Jesus Christ will provide for His own Children during the great tribulation. He will not provide using the American Dollar that has been dedicated to the Babylonian gods of mammon. That is why Christ Jesus waits for the economic crash and tribulation period and when no one has money, then He will provide for His people to preach the Gospel to All Nations. How much money did the Apostles have in the upper room to spread the gospel around their world? I can hear TBN preachers salivating, wanting to create a ‘Bring it to the Apostles feet’ now doctrine…nay, it won’t happen! If you have rejected The Last Days Invitational for The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings, then forget about provision in the Tribulation period. You might as well sell more Purpose Driven Books and make a quick buck that will then be removed from you before it is too late! Ha, Ha, Ha! TBN Bad Boys, 'What Cha Gonna Do When They Come For You', Ha, Ha, Ha...So, the lies that we have to gain mammon from Babylon America to preach the gospel of Christ Jesus does not hold water because very soon Babylon America will have no money, all the 401Ks will be gone, the NASDAQ and Dow Jones will be history, ALL your savings gone, and your Banks gone. So, Rev, Bishop, Dr, Hairdo TBN Preacher, what' cha gonna do? How will you fly that Corporate Gulf Stream Jet? Where will you get the gas? Will you join the war for Oil in the Middle East, maybe Texas? Won’t you create your own Weapons of Mass Destruction fixture? Maybe your deacons will have WMDs and the Church Elders will possess Biological Chemical Weapons. Ha, Ha, Ha! Why not run to Willow Creek and Saddleback and get a refund from Purpose Driven Inc? Won’t you issue a Code Red Terror Alert for that ‘Left Behind’ insurgent Tim LaHaye? Hmmm it looks like he ‘Left You Behind’ mere books and your wife needs real food. Won’t you borrow a leaf from Dubya Inc, ah? That screaming Christian TV Mrs. Pastor and “First Lady” will be on your neck to provide food on the table for your kids whose computer video games don’t work any more. Where will your ‘Word of Faith’ be? So, where will you host ‘Praise The Lord’ when power is gone, no diesel for the power generator and no Power Sermons anymore? Won’t you simply “Speak the word, Money come, money cometh”…and money will go and money will goeth… Ha, Ha, Ha! The Last Days Invitational to freely Join The Fellowship of Christ’s Suffering is open now and for all freely, no membership fee is required, just a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Don’t reject the times of Purification for Holiness, Righteousness and Purity before God by His Scrutinizing Holy and True Unfailing Word, which time is now. Let go of all Evangelical and Charismatic Spiritual Junk and let Jesus Christ be your Exceedingly Great Reward. Philippians 3:8-98 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: To be continued…Your Brother in Christ JesusKato MivuleKmivule7@yahoo.com
Patience and Endurance
Kato Mivule | March 26, 2012One of the greatest temptations for the Christians, for hundreds of years, from Constantine, the Crusades, to this day, has been the notion of defending the Church by way of the sword. However, the Kingdom of God is not defended by swords, guns, and any means of violence as Jesus stated. Sometimes the best defense is patience and endurance of tribulations just like Jesus did.
This is in no way to trivialize standing up to voice for the rights of freedom of religion and Christians per say, especially in countries that are intolerant to Christians. Such endeavors are highly welcome and must be encouraged.
The problem is when such issues get too over-politicized and result in calls for violence as a way forward; and that is what Jesus objected to - the use of violence as a means to defend the Kingdom of God. However, a better way, a Christ-like way is the patience and endurance of trials and tribulations.
John 18: 10-11: (NLT) 10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
John 18: 36 (NLT) Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Acts 17 on Discernment and Apologetics for Christians Today
One of the most instructive chapters, in my opinion, on christian discernment and apologetics is Acts 17. The chapter provides a Christian discernment and apologetics framework for both inside and outside the Church.
In Acts 17 that Paul the apostle visits Europe, the epicenter of western civilization then. Paul encounters the religious Jews, believers, and would be secular philosophers of his day. Paul the apostle did not dismiss or deny a response to any of the members in each of these groups but rather responded with truth, reason, indisputable logic, and most importantly the message of Jesus Christ.
If you may, this can be categorized in two ways, apologetics and discernment inside the Church and outside the church. Acts 17 is more like a framework, an outline of sort, first, Paul engages religious Jews in a discourse about Jesus Christ, then Paul, moves on and engages the Bereans who were more astute when it came to scriptures, then Paul confronts the Jews in the synagogue, and lastly the Greek Philosophers.
Paul Reasons with the Jews out of scriptures...
Acts 17:1-4 KJV Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: (2) And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, (3) Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (4) And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
The key words here is, 'reasons with them out of scriptures'. Reason was not cast aside by Paul but rather, through reason, implying logical reason, Paul was able to show to the Jews that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Therefore, 'reason' is not ungodly as some 'over-spiritual Christians' seem to suggest but actually a gift from God. Scriptures and faith in Christ are not illogical; rather than contradict, scriptures in the Bible will compliment each other. Yes, through 'reason' we can aptly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Apologetics and discernment inside the Church, Paul meets the Bereans...
Acts 17:10-12 KJV And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (12) Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Paul met another group of believers from Berea who searched the scriptures daily, to check if what Paul taught was so. The key phrase here, is that they “ searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”. We could say this was discernment and apologetics inside the church. Rather than take Paul's message at face value, the Bereans did their own reading and research, to check if what Paul taught lined up with the scriptures.
Many Christians today lack this type of approach to their faith and as a result, some have been taken advantage of by opportunists who manipulate the scriptures for personal gain. The key issue is that Christians must get to that point in which they apply their God given reason, research, and check facts for themselves in the scriptures. The question that a believer must to ask is, does what the preacher teach line up with the whole counsel in God's word or does it contradict? One thing that false teachers do very well, is to always quote the Bible out of context, they love to defend their doctrines usually by one verse or a group of contradictory verses. Therefore, a believer must learn to read the Bible in context and cross check to see if what they hear that preacher teach is really from the Bible.
Paul goes to Athens, disputes with the Jews...
Acts 17:15-17 KJV And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. (16) Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. (17) Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Interestingly when Paul went to Athens, rather than approach the Greek Philosophers first, he chooses to go to the religious Jews, the folks who should know about what he was preaching. Paul gets into a discourse and dispute with the Jews concerning Jesus Christ being the Messiah. Rather than confront the idols in Athens, Paul confronts those who should know The Lord better, those who have a prior knowledge of The Lord. What purpose does it serve to go to a city and preach to unbelievers while the believers in that same city cannot read their own bibles or are living contrary to the faith they profess? The priority would be to minister to the believers first.
Apologetics outside the Church Paul meets with the Greek Philosophers...
Acts 17:18-21 KJV Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. (19) And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? (20) For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (21) (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
We see that Greek philosophers encounter Paul, intrigued by what Paul was teaching concerning Jesus and the resurrection, they condescendingly called Paul a babbler and took him to their debate hall so they could hear the “new doctrine” that Paul was teaching.
Paul observed and examined the Greek Culture and lifestyle...
Acts 17:22-23 KJV Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (23) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
One of the things that Paul did was to study carefully with observation and examination of the Greek peoples and culture. This included studying their poets, philosophers, their religious belief systems, and way of life. Of course, if Christians are going to effectively engage this present culture and preach the gospel, then a study of other social groups and their lifestyles is important. Simply ignoring learning about other cultures hinders our ability to effectively reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Secondly, it also shows not just ignorance but arrogance and a lack of care, people from other cultures and ethnicity welcome those who take the time to learn about their cultures.
Some Christians ignore study and knowledge, claiming that they only read the Bible. However, we see that Paul did venture out and did some rigorous study of the Greek peoples by observation and careful examination. Paul noticed that the Greeks worshiped the UNKNOWN GOD and that was an opening for him to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Effective apologetics and evangelism outside the Church today requires ministers who are knowledgeable, well studied, and have done their homework before they engage other people groups.
Yes, we do have the Holy Spirit but The Holy Spirit gives wisdom and knowledge too and in Paul's case, he had to study, observe, and carefully examine the Greek culture before he engaged it. Paul had to apply critical thought, reason and logic, God given tools that we seem to neglect these days as Christians.
Paul talks about the UNKNOWN GOD...
Acts 17:24-27 KJV God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (26) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (27) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Paul speaks to the Greeks about God as creator of heaven and earth and that God cannot dwell in temples made by human hands.
Paul quotes Greek poets Epimenides Knossos and Aratus of Soli...
Acts 17:28-29 KJV For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (29) Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
In reasoning with the Greeks, Paul quotes Greek poets Epimenides and Aratus, “ For in him we live, and move, and have our being”, and “ For we are also his offspring”, respectively. Paul reasons and makes a powerful point to the Greeks, that if we live and move and have out being in him(UNKNOWN GOD), then that God cannot be a stone, if we are his offspring, certainly, that UNKNOWN GOD cannot be a stone, an idol, or an object that people in Greek had set up to worship. Paul reasons that the UNKNOWN GOD must be living and alive and not dwelling in houses made by human hands.
Basically using logic, if we live, move, and have our being in him, and if we are his offspring, then that God cannot be a stone but alive and well. By contraposition logic and reasoning, an offspring of a stone is a stone, therefore since we are his offspring, God CANNOT be a stone but he is alive and well bigger than Humans since we live, move and have our being in him.
The point to be made here is that Paul had done a careful study of the poets Epimenides and Aratus and pointed out the two issues they raised in their poetry, that in him we live, move and have our being, and that we are his offspring. We notice that Paul also employs logic and rational as he reasons with the Greek philosophers. Therefore for effective apologetics, evangelism and reaching out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, such skills need to be employed, especially in this information age in which we live.
Ignorance and intellectual laziness about other cultures is no longer an excuse. While Paul depended on the power of the Holy Spirit in preaching the gospel, he did not ignore knowledge, careful study, reason and logic. Actually a combination of both helped him be more effective in preaching and defending the gospel he preached.
Paul preaches to the Greek Philosophers, rebukes their ignorance...
Acts 17:30-31 KJV And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (31) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
After proving to the Greek Philosophers that God is alive and not a stone or an idol, Paul proceeds to preach repentance to them. Interestingly in this part of the discourse, Paul rebukes the ignorance of these supposedly knowledgeable Greek Philosophers by telling them that these times of ignorance God winked at but God know commands all men to repent. In all their reasoning, the Greek philosophers had never come to a conclusion that if your an offspring of God, then God cannot be a dead stone but alive just as the offspring is alive.
Greek philosophers reject the resurrection message...
Acts 17:32-34 KJV And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. (33) So Paul departed from among them. (34) Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
The point was to preach the gospel effectively and Paul did just that. A few men believed and others made fun of Paul once they heard about the resurrection. Even to this day, the message of Jesus Christ rising from the dead is still very hard for many thinkers and philosophers to take.
So, the whole point of this study of Acts 17 was to show that Paul not only engaged in apologetic discourse inside the Church but outside the Church too, among none believers but in all cases, Paul employed the tool of study, careful examination, observation, logic, reason, even while being led and powered by The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a Spirit of foolishness and ignorance but Power, Wisdom and Knowledge, and we do well to know that the fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Is the New Testament Biased Against The Rich?
So, is the New Testament against rich people per say? I do not think so. On the contrary, the New Testament clearly warns against trusting in wealth and riches and calls for those who are blessed with riches and wealth, in humility to do justice to the poor and provide and care for those who are less fortunate, rather than gloat and boast in arrogance.
To try to blame the poor for current Western economic problems is ridiculous, as has been the talk lately from some right wing conservative politicians, including some conservative evangelical Christians, that the USA wastes a lot of Federal money on projects for the poor. Many poor have been and continue to be victims of greedy economic policies that benefit the wealthy.
The New Testament actually seems biased towards the poor and clearly calls for justice for the poor as articulated in James 5:1-6, that the laborers cry out to The Lord for their pay which the rich have held back by fraud... Yes, that is very current, and yes, in the New Testament.
I decided to take a look at what the New Testament says about the Rich. I did not find that the New Testament was favorable to the Rich, rather, the New Testament clearly warns the rich against pride, arrogance, and trusting in worldly riches. The New Testament then commands the Rich to freely give, share and care for the poor. The New Testament scriptures below are self explanatory and very authoritative on what Jesus Christ and His disciples thought on the subject of the Rich and the Poor...
The rich young ruler and the missed call for ministry to the poor...
Matthew 19:20-26 KJV The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? (26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Justice for the Poor; He has filled the hungry with good things and the Rich he has sent away empty handed...
Luke 1:49-53 KJV For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. (50) And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. (51) He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. (52) He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. (53) He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Blessed are the Poor...
Luke 6:20-21 KJV And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (21) Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Woe to the Rich...
Luke 6:24-25 KJV But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. (25) Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Beware of Greed and Covetousness...
Luke 12:15 KJV And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
The Parable of the Foolish Rich Man...
Luke 12:16-21 KJV And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: (17) And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? (18) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (19) And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (20) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
When you make dinner, invite the poor who cannot repay you...
Luke 14:12-14 KJV Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. (13) But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: (14) And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
The story of the Rich man and poor Lazarus...
Luke 16:19-31 KJV There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: (20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, (21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (27) Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: (28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. (31) And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Zacchaeus gives away his riches to the poor...
Luke 19:1-10 KJV And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. (2) And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. (3) And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. (4) And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. (5) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. (6) And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. (7) And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (8) And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. (9) And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. (10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
The poor widow gives more than all the rich...
Luke 21:1-4 KJV And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. (2) And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. (3) And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: (4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
The love of money is the root of all evil...
1 Timothy 6:6-10 KJV But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Command those who are rich not to trust in riches...
1 Timothy 6:17-19 KJV Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (19) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Let the rich should rejoice when humbled...
James 1:9-11 KJV Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: (10) But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. (11) For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Show no respect of persons, especially because of their riches...
James 2:1-9 KJV My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (6) But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (7) Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? (8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Go now, oh you rich, weep and howl because of ill gotten riches...
James 5:1-6 KJV Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. (2) Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. (3) Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (4) Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (5) Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. (6) Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
Poor before man but rich before The Lord...
Revelation 2:9 KJV I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Rich before man but poor and naked before The Lord...
Revelation 3:17-18 KJV Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Among those fleeing the wrath of God included the rich and powerful...
Revelation 6:15-17 KJV And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; (16) And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: (17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Both poor and rich cannot buy and sell without the mark of the beast...
Revelation 13:16-17 KJV (16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
The merchants of the earth made rich by Babylon's Policies...
Revelation 18:3 KJV For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
The Rich men of the earth associated with Babylon...
Revelation 18:15 KJV The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Babylon the city that made them rich is destroyed...
Revelation 18:19 KJV And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Are "Spiritual Fathers" Supported by The New Testament?
One of the popular teachings today in Evangelical circles is that of “Spiritual Fathers”, individuals who are supposed to act as mentors, guides, and accountability partners between a Christian and Jesus Christ. Often success, prosperity, fame, blessings, and attaining “the anointing” are tied to this mentor, a.k.a. Spiritual Father, without whom, the believer cannot attain the full blessings of God.
This teaching has become popular due to the trend that Christians today have in the pursuit of monetary success and prosperity. The teaching is also tied to the “Breaking the Curse” teaching, in that believers who don’t have a “Spiritual Father” often “suffer” the prolonged consequences of curses and lack of monetary success and prosperity.
However, the question that critical thinking Christians must ask themselves before submitting to one of the “Spiritual Fathers”, is this teaching biblical, is it supported anywhere in the New Testament? What did Jesus Christ say about “Spiritual Fathers”?
The New Testament does not at any time support the teaching on Spirituals Fathers. The word “Spiritual Father” is not found anywhere in the New Testament. Just like many other extra biblical teachings, the proponents of “Spiritual Father” often take one or two scriptures in the New Testament out of context and then build on that with heavy out of context reliance on the Old Testament as their back up.
Matthew 23:8-10 (NKJV)
8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
Jesus Christ was very clear that we do not call anyone ‘father’ here on earth as we have one Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Spiritual Father, God Creator of Heaven and Earth. The New Testament uses Father in reference to God in Heaven and He is the only one who has authorized blessing for us believers through Jesus Christ, by Grace and not works. No “Spiritual Father” on earth or inside your Church can grant you any blessing, none…
Ephesians 1:2-4(NKJV)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
On the contrary, The New Testament does support Christian Church Leadership and that must not be confused with “Spiritual Fathers”. Yes, the New Testament speaks about leaders in the Church, Paul the Apostle appointed various leaders in the Churches he opened. However, never did he refer to them as “Spiritual Fathers”. Never did Paul state that blessings and success come from “Spiritual Fathers”.
The concept of "Spiritual Fathers" is used by some for control, manipulation, and monetary gain, driven largely by a Christian’s fear of being “cursed”. The more people who call some individual a “Spiritual Father”, the more that “Spiritual Father” can gain in terms of influence.
When it comes to “Receiving the Anointing”, there is no New Testament backing for such teachings and a Christian does not need a “Spiritual Father” to be anointed. As a matter of fact John the apostle tells us that we are all anointed by the Holy Spirit as Christians after we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
1 John 2(NKJV)
26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
The anointing you received from The Holy Spirit is able to teach you all things, that is to say, The Holy Spirit should guide you through God’s Word and your mentor should be Jesus Christ and not a Man who will fail you the next day. The Teaching on “Spiritual Fathers” is about placing a level of trust in a human being but that is disastrous to your spiritual faith as you will discover that humans fail and therefore your true mentor should be Jesus Christ and what He taught and said.
Nowhere does it say in the New Testament that you receive an anointing from your “Spiritual Father”. Yes, we do have Church leaders and their duty is to guide you in your PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ so that you receive directly from The Lord and relate with Him personally, not to serve as intermediaries between you and Jesus Christ.
The most misquoted verse by the proponents of the “Spiritual Fathers” teachings is 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 in which Paul tells the Christians in Corinth that they may have many instructors but not many fathers …
1 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV)
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
Paul was not trying to act as an intermediary between Christians and Jesus Christ, he was not telling them to emulate to him per say, but rather that they should submit to Jesus Christ just as Paul had submitted to Jesus Christ. It is reason that Paul used the phrase, “imitate me”. Many proponents of the “Spiritual Fathers” teaching stop there but in 1 Corinthians 11: 1, Paul completes that phrase, “imitate me as I imitate Christ”.
1 Corinthians 11(NKJV)
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
The teaching on “Spiritual Fathers” is not found anywhere in the New Testament and contradicts the Teachings of Jesus Christ on that subject. You don’t need a “Spiritual Father” to be anointed and blessed. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ and anointed us by The Holy Spirit with an anointing that abides with us. Cultivate your personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have no spiritual intermediaries, let Jesus Christ and His Words be your Mentor, and let God of Heaven be your Spiritual Father.
God Bless You.
Kato Mivule
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Are we giving fellow humans God’s glory?
Sunday Vision | 25th September, 2011| http://tiny.cc/it29q
THE FAITH DEBATE
Moses Mulondo explores the concept of spiritual fathers
LAST month, I attended a pastor’s conference at Zion Wakening Centre in Bweyogerere, where a Pentecostal bishop from Kenya told believers that those who wished to be successful in church ministry should have both a vision and a spiritual father. One of the participants opposed him, citing St Paul who never had a spiritual father nor any spiritual leader who taught him salvation, yet became one of the greatest apostles.
The pastor was referring to Galatians 1:11-17 where Paul says: “I want you to know, brothers the Gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” Pastor Martin Ssempa also opposes the doctrine of calling fellow believers spiritual fathers. “This question needs to be resolved once and for all. There are many people calling themselves our spiritual fathers but let it be known that our one and only spiritual father is God the creator of heaven and earth,” Ssempa argues. The teaching of spiritual fathers has, for long, been emphasised in the Catholic Church more than in any other denomination, as evident in the head of the Catholic Church — the Pope, called the Holy Father.
The Pentecostal church, which started at the beginning of the 20th Century, never classified Jesus’s followers into fathers and children or sons and daughters. They believed that all believers related as equal brothers and sisters working together. They carried the notion that calling some spiritual fathers created inequality in the Church. But today, they teach the importance of having spiritual fathers.
Are Christians Bound By Generational Curses? No!
An article appeared in the Ugandan Weekly, Sunday Vision September 17, 2011 that questioned if Christians are cursed. There is a popular teaching among Evangelical Christians in Uganda that Christians remain cursed until those curses are “broken” by some anointed Man or Woman of God. Usually, those who are deemed cursed are the poor, weak, destitute, unemployed, sick, and those facing various challenges of life.
One of the remedies for “breaking” the curse is to give “seed” money to preachers so as to “break” the curse. The teaching has become very popular given the current global economic malaise, that poor Christians will take the little savings they have and “sow the seed” into the ministries of these predatory preachers.
The popularity of these “breaking the curse” teachings caught the attention of media that the Ugandan Weekly, Sunday Vision published an article on the subject (see below). The catch phrase that these predatory preachers use is “if you are poor then you are cursed”. Thus many ignorant poor Christians give all they have as “seed money” so as to “break” the curse in hopes of getting a job.
However, the New Testament is very clear when it comes to the subject of being cursed. The only time the New Testament mentions about curses and deliverance is in Galatians 3; the New Testament is very clear that those who are in Christ Jesus have been redeemed from the Curse and by Grace and not works. This means that no one can buy their way out of being cursed by giving “seed money” to preachers for deliverance. Redemption from the Curse is a free gift from God through Jesus Christ by Grace and not works.
Galatians 3: 10- 13 (NKJV):
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Therefore don’t waste your time and money by giving it to predatory preachers who mentally try to sway you that you are cursed. You have been redeemed from all curses in Christ Jesus as a free gift and that comes with your Salvation in Jesus Christ.
Now, this does not mean that you will not go through hard times, yes, you will face challenges in life but that does not mean you are cursed. Jesus Christ suffered and endured, Paul the apostle endured sufferings and difficult times, many Christians have had to endure suffering and pain but that does not mean that they were cursed.
In fact they turned those life challenges into good. They saw those life challenges as stepping stones for the better. Remember that Jesus Christ did not save His own to turn around and curse them; that is a lie from Satan and not from Jesus Christ. You are blessed, yes, even when you go through hard times, and face difficult challenges of life; you are blessed in Christ Jesus.
Are Christians bound by generational curses?
Sunday Vision September 17, 2011
http://tiny.cc/z2543
THE FAITH DEBATE
Maureen Nakatudde asked several religious leaders to offer their advice... JONATHAN has been in the church for five years. He is a born again Christian, but has failed to find a job. Many of his schoolmates got jobs as soon as they graduated. He wonders what went wrong. To make matters worse, when the pastor comes to the pulpit, he says if you have been in a bad situation for long, you have generational curses. Jonathan’s pastor is not the only one who lauds the songs of generational curses. Many religious leaders do. But many other church leaders argue that immediately a person becomes born-again, the generational curse stops. So, what is the truth?
VINCENT KASHAIJA New Hope Missions, Matugga: “The Bible says all things become new when a person accepts Jesus Christ as his personal saviour. Therefore, there is no way a person can have generation curses if he or she is born again.” In addition, the Bible forbids people to say children pay for their parents’ sins. Jeremiah 31:29 states: “In those days, people will no longer say, the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
Pastor Vincent Kashaija: Deuteronomy 24:16 says fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; instead, everyone will die for his own sin. The preachers who dismiss this teaching of curses among Christians also always make reference to John 8:36, where Jesus said: “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!” Kashaija says today people have different doctrines, depending on the churches they belong to.
JAMES MBALIRE, Universal Church of God: “If a person gets saved and is not filled with the Holy Spirit, he or she can continue having the generational curses. In order to break the spell of a generational curse, Mbalire advises one to devote him or herself to prayer and repentance of all the sins committed. He adds that the person should turn away from evil; otherwise the curses will return and the person shall be worse off than before, so the Bible says. Even though as a Christian you have been sanctified, make sure that you leave no gap for the devil. Kashaija says the demons always look for an empty gap to fill and this time when they return, they will be more. (Mathew 12:45: The spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself). Mbalire concludes: “When you pray, always believe that God has answered your prayers and you are free from all the curses of the enemy.” He adds: “Christians should look out for any familiar traits in their families and tackle them so that they do not follow them or their children.”
Have you seen traits such as fornication, witchcraft, illiteracy, poverty and theft in your family? Analyse your life and see where it is heading to. If it inclines towards that direction, the best option is to have a will not to be like your relatives with those traits. Also, ask God to transform you. Remember God will help you if have faith in Him.
Published on: Saturday, 17th September, 2011
Making it a Priority to Reach out to the Poor and those in Need for Christ
There is no doubt that those most affected by the current global economic malaise are the poor. As we embark on this new year, it would be worthwhile that we think of ways, and make it our Christian ministry priority, to not only help the poor but assist those in need to stand on their own feet and self-sustaining.
This is not a call for big government spending and programs but rather at the personal and individual level, to respond to the Christian call to minister to those in need. While big government programs might be temporarily helpful in such times, they come with lots of strings attached and are often embroiled in political controversy.
Secondly, our trust ought not to be on big government spending that is bound to run out of resources and fail but on Jesus Christ, who NEVER fails. Therefore it should be the priority of every follower of Jesus Christ to reach out to those in need as a matter of gratitude towards God who supplies our daily needs. In as much as we share with others who are in need, we express gratitude to God who faithfully gives to us.
As Christians, this should be a call that we should respond to with gratitude rather than disdain. Let us not forget that we are stewards of God’s resources entrusted to us, not for our own self-glorification and indulgence but to reach out to others in need in the Name of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10: As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
It will do us good to note that many of those in need are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The poor are no doubt becoming the ‘least of the brethren among us’, and responding to their needs is at the heart of Jesus Christ and His message.
Matthew 24:40: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Christ’s ministry reaches out not just to fellow Christians but to those who are in need but are not Christian; and indeed this is one of the ways to make Jesus Christ known, not just by our words that we preach but by our actions.
This does not mean that The Lord does not care about other ministries such as preaching, evangelism, discernment, etc. All those are important but reaching out and taking care of the needs of others with gratitude is one way that shows that you are practicing what you preach.
Yet still, every Christian at every level of income can reach out to others in need and help. You don’t have to be a millionaire to help but with the little that you have, you can make a difference. Most importantly, we can be a voice for the voiceless and those who cannot speak for themselves.
In this current political climate (especially in the USA), the poor are always used by the elites as some kind of political football. The poor are called “lazy”,” envious”, “jealousy”, among other demeaning names. If one wants to run as a successful politician today in the US, all they have to do, it seems, is to just demean the poor, insult, and disparage them.
Proverbs 22:22: Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
Deuteronomy 15:11:"For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.'
However, this ought not to be the case for those who are followers of Jesus Christ. If anything, The Lord takes the issue of the poor and needy very seriously and this can be seen thought out both the Old and New Testament.
Therefore, let us make this a priority in this new year to be a voice for those without a voice and reach out to those in need in the Name of Jesus Christ, with grace, wisdom, and love, not with arrogance and contempt for those who we seek to serve. It is befitting to remind ourselves that we have been saved by grace and not works. We are all sinners and none can boast.
It is important to note that many people in poverty and need are not lazy, jealous, or envious as some puffed-up politicians would like us to believe. Contrary to such caricatures, many poor people are hard working, some working 2 to 3 jobs just to pay rent, only to fall behind on bills. Therefore, let us see people the way Jesus Christ sees them.
Many Christians often ask how they can minister or get involved in ministry. Yet the current global economic crisis presents us an opportunity to act and reach out in the Name of Jesus Christ and proclaim His Gospel not only through words but with actions. The world is watching to see if Christians respond to the message of Jesus Christ, to the example of the “Good Samaritan”.
Lastly, exercise this gift of gratitude with wisdom and discernment; rather than send money and gifts to wealthy and luxurious prosperity gospel preachers, it would be noble to consider your unemployed neighbor who cannot find gas money to get to the next job interview.
Reach out and let Christ’s light shine though you. Have a blessed and productive new year.
Kato Mivule
Pursing Peace and Good Will Towards All
Kato Mivule | December 20 2011As we come to the close of this year, it would be worthwhile to take a look back and reflect at both the bad and good events that happened this year; of course with the attitude of being thankful and grateful to The Lord for His Providence.
It seemed as though, lots of events happened this year from the spiritual, physical, political, economic, and social. Yet in all, we know that The Lord is in control and we are to place our trust in Him, fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ the author and perfecter or of our faith in Him.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This does not mean that we negate the fact that we still live in this physical world, in which we have to go work, eat, take kids to school, and deal with all the complexities of life. This includes dealing with sufferings, hardships, pain, and all the challenges of life.
We still live in this physical world and therefore, we need to ask The Lord for wisdom and grace on how to live this life that He has granted to us. None of us can boast and brag about the provision of life, it is by Grace and God’s mercy; think about the thousands who have perished this year, a reason to be thankful.
Therefore it does us well to recognize that we have all sinned, and we are all sinners and it is by The Lord’s Grace that we are forgiven and receive the gift of Salvation, not by works but by Grace in Jesus Christ. Secondly, let us recognize once again that God has created all Humans in His Image, and He loves all people, desiring that none perish but all will come to the knowledge and saving Grace of Jesus Christ.
Given the wars and rumors of wars that are going on around the world, let us ask The Lord for grace that we shall be a voice for peace. Even as we engage in debates, disagreements, critics, and other human interactions and deliberations, let us pause back and remember that God still loves people even when we disagree with those who hold different opinions from us. It will do us good to remember that Jesus Christ still loves “them” as He loves “us”.
Of course we know that no perfect peace will ensue on earth until Jesus Christ returns but that does not mean we stop pursuing it and voice for it. Yes, in this real world, conflicts, disagreements will continue as long as people are still humans, but as Christians, let us voice for peace and good will to all; let’s be a voice of sanity in this age were revenge is marketed as something ‘cool’ in video games.
Hebrews 12:14(NASB)
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Voicing for peace and good will towards all is not a sign of weakness but rather spiritual maturity in our walk with Jesus Christ. Neither is voicing for peace and good will towards all a sign of compromising our beliefs, doctrines, and faith in Jesus Christ but recognizing that it is the will of God for us in this world, even among those whom we disagree, as a testimony of Jesus Christ to this world, that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, not Violence and Mayhem. Let us remember that we are ambassadors of Jesus Christ, carrying with us a message of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20(NASB)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
A reminder of what the Heavenly host sung the day Jesus Christ was born will be helpful this Holiday Season (yes, I deliberately use the term ‘Holiday season’ rather than ‘Christmas holidays’)…
Luke 2: 13-14(KJV)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
God Bless You all
Have a safe and blessed Holiday season.
Kato Mivule
On Christians, Poverty, Occupy Wall Street, and Liberation Theology
Recently, a number of protests dubbed “Occupy Wall Street”, have taken place in the USA , centered around issues of increasing poverty, lack of jobs, increasing disparity between the poor and rich, the unfair tax burden that seems to let the rich walk away without paying their dues in taxes, and excessive greed and capitalism among big financial institutions in the USA.
The protests that begun in New York City have not only spread around the USA but also in many other capitals around the world. While there is no central theme in the message conveyed by the protestors, the core content seems to be against excessive greed and injustice towards the poor.
However, of lately some evangelical leaders have come out openly and condemned the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, calling it among other things “socialists”, “evil”, “mobs”, “anarchists”, “neo-1960's hippies”, and “rebels”. Some of the evangelical leaders have gone to length in warning their members not to participate in the protests, noting that the occupy wall street protestors are simply “jealous” of the rich and with a socialist agenda to take over the USA.
Some christian leaders claim that any christian who joins in protesting or voicing against the injustices done to the poor, is engaging in “Liberation Theology”, a clever term re-coined by some evangelicals leaders as a slur against anyone who raises their voice to speak out for the poor and the injustices done against them.
The roots of Liberation Theology begun by a Roman Catholic in the 1950s, actually by Priests protesting the injustices done against the poor by the Catholic Church itself. The Roman Catholic Church then outlawed some of teachings of Liberation Theology inside the Catholic Church. However, in the 1960's, the civil rights movement in the USA included voicing against injustices done to the poor among the message of racial equality; black christian churches and other christian denominations took on this message.
On seeing this, some wealthy white evangelical leaders were quick to condemn the outcry as a “socialist Marxist movement”, and a “Black Liberation Theology” movement. Some of the rich white evangelical leaders taught that black christian leaders who voiced against black social injustices, like racism and poverty were teaching “Black Liberation Theology”, a “doctrine of devils”. This was done in part as a way to silence any Christian who voiced for the poor, from offending the wealthy capitalists who by large bankrolled most of the wealthy white evangelical churches and projects.
So, the basis of demeaning, degrading, and slurring anyone opposed to mistreatment of the poor by some of the rich white evangelical leaders had to do with securing their source of income and money but not because the Bible and especially the New Testament had anything to do with objecting to the poor crying out for justice.
This is not to say that the New Testament is a blueprint for a socialist economic framework. Yet while the New Testament does not speak in terms of “outlawing capitalism”, it does speak out against the mistreatment of the poor, and calls on the rich and wealthy to treat those not their equals with justice, fairness, and generosity. This is clearly spelled out in the Teachings of Jesus Christ and Book of James for example. To discard such teaching under the slur of “Black Liberation Theology” is a shame and a reproach by those who do so.
Luke 6:20 KJV
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke 14:12-14 KJV
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. (13) But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: (14) And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
James 5:1-6 KJV
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
It is very clear that James, was speaking out against injustices, mistreatment of the poor, and greed by wealthy “Job Creators” of his day; for they had engaged in withholding the wages of the laborers and God in Heaven had listened to their cry. This story is not so different from the financial injustices being committed by some so-called “Job Creators” today.
Luke 4:18 KJV The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised
While Jesus Christ does not tell His followers to go and legislate His teachings as secular law, it ought to be the duty of Christians, at least to take action as a Church in helping the poor and weak of our society and yes, speak out against the mistreatment of the poor and weak, peacefully and with none violence. The point is not to place trust in governments or man, as some evangelical leaders love to dismiss anyone voicing for the poor. However, if there is a possibility for governments to wake up and reconsider their conscience towards the poor, then it is a good thing, yet even if governments do not help the poor, the Church and Christians ought to.
Besides, this is an opportunity for Christians to reach out and do good, and help the poor do the fishing for themselves, after all, that is what they are asking, not some new Limousine, or million dollar house. It is certain that while Jesus Christ might not legislate anti-poverty measures today, He would certainly stand with the poor, the orphans, widows and those most maligned by today's materialistic society.
One reason why some Christians have taken part in the Occupy Wall Street protests, is to voice against the injustices done to the poor and to highlight the excessive greed that seems to be a source of the economic downturn in the USA. While many political motivations and self-interests might be behind Occupy Wall Street, using that as an excuse to slur all those who voice for the poor and those who speak out against injustices done to the poor is basically shortsighted and a way to ignore the bigger problem.
While some evangelical leaders see very “big problems” with Christians raising their voice against injustices done to the poor, again, I do not see anything wrong with Christians raising their voices to call for justice and fair treatment of the poor in our present societies, as long as Christians voice peacefully, lawfully, and with none violence.
It is clear that some evangelical leaders have positioned themselves with those who practice excessive greed at the expense of the poor, while condemning the poor folks who raise their voices against such injustices as being guilty of “Black Liberation Theology” and “jealousy”. In doing so, the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been tainted by such evangelical leaders who are seen as one in bed with the pushers of injustices towards the poor. Those who are engaged in “class warfare” are not the poor but those who deny them their due wages and institute structures that ensure that those who are poor not only stay poor but become poorer.
As Christians and followers of Christ, even while we might not be engaged with the Occupy Wall Street protestors, at least we can join in voicing against the mistreatment of poor people just like Jesus Christ would certainly do. We must remember that part of preaching the Gospel involves helping the poor, calling this “Black Liberation Theology” is a slur not just to the poor but a slap in the face to Jesus Christ, a thing that some evangelicals leaders are busy doing by disparaging and despising the poor.
Galatians 2:9-10 KJV And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (10) Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.