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Family Divisions

In tough times eliminate People from your lives, no matter who!!! ..... Is This Really What We Are Called To Become?

"There is a way that  seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

I came across this poster and thought, 'maybe we need to re-evaluate our stand in life!'.

Family divisions have grown dramatically in recent times, I can barely find a family that does not, or has not experienced division, and what is also heart breaking is that in some situations church leaders may make it even easier for the division to continue by granting the absolution for the division, which of course becomes that very much needed conscience silencer that one is needed to avoid taking that extra mile towards reconciliation.

In most cases we are all to blame, because when we allow love to be choked by the enemy, our abilities to look beyond the division is blurred.

So lets begin by exploring some Biblical instructions, please read each one of these:

(1 Corinthians 1:10)  Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

(1 Corinthians 3:3)  for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

(1 Corinthians 11:18)  For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it....... 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 

1 Thessalonians 4:9  But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 

1Peter 1:22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. 

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

But are we also called to separate from some people?

Yes we are; wisdom calls us to separate from those who intend to separate us from God either by false doctrine or a sinful path. Consider what St Paul preaches:

(Romans 16:17)  Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

St John Chrysostom writes: "Divisions are instruments of Satan by which he reverses everything. As long as the parts of the body are united together, Satan cannot find an entry spot. The fall comes through divisions. Where do divisions come from? From opinions that contradict the teachings of the apostles. Where do these opinions come from? From slavery to greed and other lusts…this is what St Paul indicates as he writes to the people of Philippi: ‘whose god is their belly’, (Phil 3:19)"

(Extract from Fr Tadros Yacoub Malaty on The Epistle to the Romans, Page 252) 

But even for those, we are called to love and to pray for.

Ok....What about the advise..."Love them but reduce your contact!" for those whom we may just be clashing with for any other reason?

 O'Lord Jesus I regret every incident where I may have advised people to take on this recommendation, for it does not reflect Your intention nor Your heart.

The Jesus way is "Love them to the end, seek to do what is in your power to overcome divisions, for it is the work of Satan!" But we may not always have the power to be fully broken for the sake of our brethren ..... and yes its true, we are ONLY called to do our best and wait on the Lord so that he may empower us with His Grace to do even more, but don't just give up ..... keep on praying, keep on praying, keep on praying ... until something happens!

As for those who refuse the way towards peace, unity, reconciliation...; they fall under the judgment of God as being 'sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.' (Jude 1:19).

"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

I Pray for every family that is breaking that the Lord of mercy and peace may interfere and bring the power of Love once again, may we each be healed from our own selfishness, to reach out to one another eager to bring unity rather than brokenness.... for the days are short.

Revelations 12:12  "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." 

Did Christ Jesus establish a Religion

On the new Video re Christ V Religion:

The clip is an attack on hypocrisy, however it fails to treat this illness of hypocrisy biblically.

See Christ did not come to destroy religion but rather heal it, it was Him who established the new system, based on what He Himself established in the old; He said "I did not come to destroy... but to fulfil" (Matt 5:17), it was Him that selected 12 disciples and another 70, sent them and told them what to do, where to go, gave them authority, showed them what to do when they meet ie the Eucharist, He endorsed the practice of Baptism, instructed them to fast, (Matt 9:15, Mark 2:20) in addition to many other specific things that can be researched in detail' eg. confession, anointing of the sick (James 5:14-18 and Mark 6:13), orders in the church (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1).... the list goes on...

These are religious practices, i.e. Religion.

His disciples applied these instructions and as He authorised them they established the Church, by the grace and work of the Holy Spirit.

The new believers, were subject to the church on how to practice their faith, ... read Acts 15:22-29, and from that era as the church was authorised by Christ guided the people along the path.

This person is misguided yet has a very valid point when he speaks about self righteousness of a religious person....that is why the church fathers have written Books on humility....

Be careful of these deceiving messages they only serve to distance you from the house of the Lord, where you may offer repentance and receive absolution and His Body and Blood as a continuous source of cleansing of our sins until His return back to earth for the day of judgment....

I came across this clip from a young Catholic, can't wait for an Orthodox one all decorated with those ancient icons, a taste of heaven:

A Response to "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus...

Multifaith & Its Deception

There is a growing movement in recent years that is strongly promoting "Interfaith Dialogue" and others establishing 'Multi-Faith Centers" (eg:  http://interfaith-harmony.org).

So I have some questions; as Christians:

1. Is there anything wrong with interfaith dialogues? 
2. What about acknowledging other religions' feasts and wishing them a joyful greeting in those events?
3. Can we pray together?
4. Will people of other religions make it to the Kingdom of God?

Sure, as the days pass, and religion has less and less value in a secular society, and the more men and women of religious origin cause more and more unrest in the world, the more societies will be keen to move towards the model of the multifaith institution; for many it will only makes sense, and it may seem the only sure way to get rid of self centered bigotry. It will be said: "More love......less division, focus on what unites us rather than what may divide!!!"  

For sure there is absolutely no harm in dialogue and there is no problem that in love we wish well others, in their feasts and days of celebration, here I remember the profound impact St Makarious had on a pagan carrying wood to offer sacrifice to his god, when he praised him for being zealous and energetic....history tells us that this man later became a disciple of St Makarious.

But the DECEPTION lurks:

So can we pray together as one? Here is where it really gets messy!

There are many implications to praying together, simply put: when leaders of different religions pray together, all of a sudden in the eyes of the people of the other religions, Jesus Christ is on equal grounds as their own, even though to the Christian they may have full understanding of the supremacy of Jesus Christ; here the urgency of preaching Christ as the Saviour of the world for those who believe in Him is simply demoted....

Consider these verses:

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. "You shall have no other gods before Me. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
(Exo 20:2-6)

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE." Therefore "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU." "I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY." 

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(Act 4:10-12)

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW'; and 'A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
(Mat 10:32-38)

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
(John 3:5)

WHAT ABOUT: Will people of other religions make it to the Kingdom of God?
Look as far as revealed to us ... there are means by which we inherit eternal life and these have been declared to the church, as for those of other faiths.....this is not in our authority, it is really up to Him!!!

Please take every care as to not fall in the trap that all roads lead to Rome! Ideology.

It is possible that the coming of the antichrist will be prepared by the mindset that all religions have some truth, that really no one has ultimate truth, most likely the antichrist through this way; use the good intention of bringing cooperation between all to manipulate mankind's attention and will. 

Remember truth is Truth. 

It is deceiving to assume that darkness may have some truth in it.

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

Christ is the only one who proclaimed:
"I am the way the truth and the life." John 14:6

This maybe the sad future: http://rt.com/news/177584-berlin-imam-rabbi-pastor/#.U97-mQR2AV4.facebook

This, in no way means that we lose the love and respect to all people of all faith, but rather not to mix theology with the ability to cooperate in love with all mankind. 

Consider the video below:

Out Reach Nights 2013, by Fr. Anthony Messeh "I am the way"

: http://youtu.be/Yt6uONS2Ml0

Does It Matter if Christians support or not support Same Sex Marriage?

In The Name of The Father, The Son & The Holy Spirit. One God, Amen.

Does It Matter if Christians support or not support Same Sex Marriage?

First let me make clear the following: Christians are NOT called to walk about to condemn others, and this blog is not written as an attack on individuals who may find themselves in the predicament of having homosexual orientation; for those, we pray and assure them of love an acceptance as human beings, but as we all struggle against sinfulness, the same is encouraged when it comes to a person who practices homosexuality as a way of life.

We all know that the topic of homosexuality is an old topic, we know that it was shunned down upon by Judaism and Christianity, Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament is an example of God's wrath on sin and in the New Testament we note St Paul's writings on the topic; of which some can be found in Romans 1 and in 1 Corinthians 6:

I Corinthians 6:9-10

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

But Homosexuality is just what one may be ... Isn't that the case???

I suggest that you take the time to watch the following clips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD426lYvP7U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pR7uCJwvP0

Some ask: "Well What would Jesus do?" ; I think we should first ask what would be Christ's position on homosexuality?

1. Christ is the one and same God of the Old Testament ... He said: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" Matt 5:17

2. It is quite clear what He stood for, in regards to marriage:
"4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning "made them male and female,' 5 and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matt 19:4-6

So What would Jesus do? ....exactly like every action he showed us in His incarnation, love the sinner and lead them out of sin....the evil doer who intends to defy Him; He warns with all AUTHORITY ...

"..but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" Matt 13:3 

Certainly the Lord would not condone same sex marriage as it is clearly a sin, But would He appose it and rejected it? Well why don't you consider how He answered the Jews when they asked Him about Moses's position on divorce:

"7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?"8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so." Matt 19:7-8

Ok ... what is so wrong about couples who seek civil same sex marriages?....PLEASE consider the following article:

21 Great Reasons to Keep Marriage As Is; and of course this has nothing to do with churches, why are churches involved???

Yes, there is a clear potential for same sex marriage to be imposed on churches, please consider the following article: Gay Danish couples win right to marry in church 

Christians have a right to contribute to the 

political debate, as the author Dr Samuel Gregg put it, in his book “Rendering unto Caesar” - "doctrinaire secularism fails, to understand the nature of the separation of Church and State, and is inherently self contradictory, for whilst intending to keep religion separate from the state, it actually promotes ‘a type of atheism as the unofficial state religion… [T]he secularist state insists that anyone contributing to political discussion or acting in the capacity of a state official ought to act as if there is no God. This is not a religiously neutral position."  The Australian Constitution does not advocate this kind of secularism.

In these horrible days when Satan rages his war against humanity, blinding people and causing them to err - we have no other option, except to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and ask for His mercy, and for His grace to cover us when we preach His Word in Love.

I raise my deepest concerns over the direction our society is heading; we have become careless about the most important fabric that holds our society together – I speak of the ‘Family Unit’ as it is naturally structured, with a husband, a wife and children, let alone the positive impact that the extended family unit might bring.

We have sold marriage cheap; instead of pumping resources into assisting young people to make the right choices, and equipping them with the right information and support, and upholding strongly the value of marriage; we for many years have socially declared war on marriage, we have allowed it to be socially unnecessary and publicized through the media that it can be easily broken.  

We are marching to destroy our very existence, by raising a generation that are confused, vulnerable and searching for identity.

This is an exert from The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect – Report to Congress – Jan 2010 - Exec Summary - Page 12

Children living with their married biological parents universally had the lowest rate, whereas those living with a single parent who had a cohabiting partner in the household had the highest rate in all maltreatment categories. Compared to children living with married biological parents, those whose single parent had a live-in partner had more than 8 times the rate of maltreatment overall, over 10 times the rate of abuse, and nearly 8 times the rate of neglect.

I ask, how is this information considered by the policy makers?

The pioneering American anthropologist and social theorist, Lewis Henry Morgan warned, ‘should the monogamian family in the distant future fail to answer the requirements of society… it is impossible to predict the nature of its successor.’

Similarly, in his analysis of human cultures, the founder of sociology at Harvard, Pitirim Sorokin, argued that no society has ceased to honour the institution of marriage and survived.

And as the writer Maggie Gallagher contends, "Marriage is the place where we not only tolerate people having babies and rearing children, we positively welcome and encourage it… Same-sex marriage will be, in effect, a public and legal declaration by governments that children do not need mothers and fathers. That alternative family forms are not only just as good, they are just the same as a husband and wife bringing kids up together.’31 That is, the state’s interest in marriage is deeply connected to its interest in children.

Sadly the primary focus of most Same Sex Marriage proponents is on adults, not children. The family diversity crowd, since the dawn of the sexual revolution, have proclaimed a message that ‘adults have awesome intimacy needs that must be met. Family forms, social norms, household arrangements must be unwound and rewound so that the adults get what they need.’32 Kids on the other hand are flexible and adjust. The message of SSM is clear: Fathers are optional. Adults are fragile, and their emotional needs come first. Children are resilient. The social scientific data of the effects of SSM on children is inconclusive."

I say to the leaders of this nation please don’t let anybody twist your arms, or hijack your conscience … our children’s future is in your hands … and we are willing to contribute with you in building this great nation, based on evidence and facts… not on emotions and political power struggles.