The World.

When we are young we live in the protection of our parents' love.

But when we encounter the world we are confronted by fear and evil.

Fear in the playground.

And evil in the popular culture.

I do not believe that the devil is real.

But I do believe that devil-worshippers are real and that they are hidden in our popular culture.

And they do evil in our world.

Most people are unaware of this because most of it is unconscious.

Rock musicians, sports men and women, commentators, actors, directors, and novelists have turned to evil in the belief that the devil can grant them fame and fortune.

And so we are tempted and poisoned by evil disguised as good.

Sex and drugs and rock and roll leads to addiction and decadence.

 

And sexual license leads to divorce.

These alone have led to untold suffering in our world.

But hedonism and hate make us miserable and nasty.

There is no satisfaction in them.

So be aware there is evil hidden in our culture.

And pray to God to deliver us from evil.

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The Church.

How can it be that the descendants of those who killed Jesus are in control in his Churches?

Jesus said: "'Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.'"  Matthew 24:28 (NRSV)

And so those who lust after power and authority gather around the body of Jesus.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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The Need.

Modern society is in need.

Young people have no religious beliefs or ideals by which to live their lives.

The messages they get are materialistic and selfish.

"Buy this product", "get rich", "get famous", "win at all costs".....

They are encouraged to be ruthless, tough, and hard.

And to seek material gain.

But these things are empty boxes.

They may be wrapped in golden paper.

Or adorned with diamantes.

But in the end they are empty.

This is the way of the world.

It does not lead to happiness or fulfillment.

God's way is the way of the heart.

The heart leads to love and compassion.

And the goodness of God:

Honesty, moderation, truthfulness, generosity, humility, gratitude, and courage.

These things flow from God like rain.

But at the heart of it all is Love.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."  1 John 4:18 (NRSV)

For it is fear that corrupts us and makes us compromise what we know is right.

So love God and love your neighbor.

And live!

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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AFL.

Commentators on the AFL are in the habit of calling good players "beasts".

In the Bible a Beast refers to someone who uses violence, brutality, and force to dominate others.

And the followers of the Beast receive his mark in their right hands or their foreheads.

The right hand refers to actions taken in righteousness.

And the forehead refers to your mentality.

So the aggressive, brutal, ruthless mentality of the AFL is the mentality of the Beast.

And that's not to mention the 666 Rule.

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Fear or Love.

Hate is fear.

Fear of sin and evil.

Fanatical Christians hate sinners.

But Jesus said: "'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.'"  Matthew 5:38,39 (NRSV)

And: "'You have heard that it was said. "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'"  Matthew 5:43,44 (NRSV)   

So when a question arises in regard to our response to others' actions we should ask ourselves: "Is it fear or is it love that motivates me?'

For there is no fear in God.

Only Love.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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Fear.

If God treats everyone the same in Heaven then how will we be able to forgive those who have wronged us?

How will the Jews be able to forgive Hitler and the Nazis?

The answer lies in the fact that their behavior was driven by fear.

And we all have hidden fears.

Fears that can make us punish and kill.

So when God makes it clear that we have in our shadows "demons" that we don't acknowledge.

"Demons" that oppress and torture others.

"Demons" that are unconscious fears.

Then we can forgive ourselves.

And if we can forgive ourselves then we can forgive those who have hurt us.

Because they are motivated by fears.

And if some have more fear than others then they are more to be pitied than us.

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The Mark of Cain.

The Mark of Cain is not what we think.

We think it is a stigma for murdering his brother Abel out of jealousy.

But what the Bible actually says is this:

"And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him."  Genesis 4:15 (NRSV)

The temptation is to think of Abel as good and Cain as evil.

But God shows mercy to Cain and does not punish him.

This is because Cain's murder of Abel is out of jealousy.

And jealousy is fear.

It is fear of losing God's Love.

And we all have these fears.

God's mercy offends our sense of Natural Justice - reward for good and punishment for evil.

But were God to act in this way we would be condemning ourselves.

Because we all have these fears in our shadows.

And so God shows us mercy.

And we can forgive ourselves.

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