Throughout my life I've been on college campuses, been to rallies and watched hellfire condemnation preachers on video spewing judgment scriptures to the masses, with an unsettled churning of the Holy Spirit within. I mean, hey… this is the Word of God, it's got to be good, but why am I disturbed? It must be something wrong with me?
Many people struggle with this same 'feeling'; and I can't make up your mind for you, but what I can do is walk along with you to Emmaus and share the scriptures.
If we really sum up how Jesus operated 'in a nutshell'… He speaks out to the 'crowds' sharing wise parables that draw people in. He heals, delivers and miracles occur as further drawing proof that there is something special about this Man. Some really 'get it' and begin to follow Him… the ones that do so closely get the deeper revelation from those parables… they actually RECEIVE the talents in them and then later we note that He commissions them on to do likewise in more than preaching that the Kingdom of God is at hand, but they share in the manifestation power thereof as well.
As Jesus preached to the crowds (these parables), the 'religious' would come with questions of guile (an agenda) and Jesus would cut to the heart and deal with the religious sternly using the Word, and putting a mirror in front of those railers to shame them. He never railed or shamed sinners (Forgive them, for they know not what they do).
Jesus only preached to the masses in parables (Mark 4:34).... He only preached hellfire to those that claimed to be followers of YHWH (Matthew chapter 15). Over and over we see in the life of Jesus that he showed love to sinners, by dining with them-- and who can forget the Mary Magdalene incident-- hellfire surrounded her and He delivered her from that fate!
Forgive them Father…
To understand Jesus' immense compassion with sinners is to understand that sin brings a curse and a veil that block people from receiving the Truth. The veil must be removed before they can even receive the gospel. We'll note in 2 Corinthians 3:16, it says they have to TURN to the Lord BEFORE the veil is taken away. So again, let's look to our original role model of Jesus… He does this by non-threatening parables that stir peoples hearts to make a choice… He furthers stirs them by manifesting signs and wonders as further proof as well as exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. In His example we see that love breaks hardness... ...Jhn 13:35. He is all things to all men and only shows an intolerance to those with guile in their hearts.
We are in days where the love of many is growing cold. People are spoiled, proud know-it-alls… they immediately put up a fence especially when being told to do something---be something, but when you come in humbly and address the things that help fix their brokenness-- those things that they've tried everything to fix, but only Jesus can fix-- this is beginning to understand the concept of 'by way of parable'.
But what about the Old Testament? Countless times we can note that the context of Judgment proclamations say they are FOR the people of God. Exceptions are Judgments of Nations--Kings… delivered by a Prophet. Do prophetic judgments and proclamations still go out?-- you know they do… but the problem is, is that everyone is quick to proclaim they are one and use it to feed their fire.
We can't even say that preaching judgment is a mandate if we KNOW it's coming! Lot didn't preach to the 'masses'... he went to his own: Gen 19:14--and almost got rejected!
If we KNOW God has told us to proclaim a message on the street corner, then we should do so, but if we make it a lifestyle a habit or feel guilty if we do not-- or others guilt-trip us for not doing so, we need to self examine because this is a serious 'Religious Spirit' red-flag.
WHEN RELIGIOUS SPIRITS SNEEK IN, YOU BEGIN TO SEE SOME, IF NOT ALL OF THESE MANIFEST:
(1) TENDENCY TO SEE MORE OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE OR OTHER CHURCHES THAN WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THEM
(2) TRYING TO FIX WHAT'S WRONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE AS IF THEY WERE APPOINTED BY GOD WITH THIS MISSION
(3) JEALOUSY/SUSPICION OF ANYTHING OUTSIDE THEIR BOX
(4) A PRIDEFUL SENSE OF BEING CLOSER TO GOD THAN OTHER PEOPLE
(5) MECHANIZED PRAYER LIFE
(6) COMPARING ONESELF WITH OTHERS
(7) DO MORE/FEEL BETTER=KEEPING SCORE
(8) SEEKING NOTICE AND ACCEPTANCE OF MAN
(9) GLORYING MORE IN WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST THAT WHAT HE IS DOING IN THE PRESENT
(10) OUTWARD CEREMONY AND RITUAL BUT THEY OFFER NO POWER FOR A CHANGED LIFE
We know that our battle is not with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), so I find this 'in your face' approach in damning sin and preaching judgment without actually contending with the spiritual problem in a region, a real work of the flesh contrivance. Remember… the veil needs broken over the people so they can receive the gospel. If there are areas that breed sin, it is far more effective to keep one's mouth shut and instead prayer-walk and claim those areas for Christ. How many 'Prophets' actually deal with hitting the veil? Real 'Prophets' are like icebergs behind the scenes in breaking the prince & powers that hold the regions captive.
Sad that hellfire preachers condemn Christians that 'love as Jesus did', calling us weenies that are fearful of 'persecution' -- but it makes sense, as the religious of Jesus' day were the ones that killed Him.
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ASK God to teach you and show you while you earnestly seek to be clean before Him, and He will guide you. CLING to the Word and His commentary of meaning directly to your spirit. SEEK earnestly the greatest gifts.... because by His Spirit Alone shall you know where HE is and what He is doing.
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