The good man that turned bad out of necessity
- Thread starter Riven
- Start date
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It‘s very important to me.
The role of the followers of Jesus is to save souls, not to destroy them.
The role of the civil government is to protect souls, not to save them. That role requires destroying souls when necessary.
It wasn’t for those being tortured and killed by Christians.
“Tortured and killed by Christians” - how far away from the teaching of Jesus and the apostles we are.
The civil government is responsible for maintaining order and protecting its citizens. That hasn’t changed.
Because the church drifted away - in the 4th century - from the teaching of Paul on the relationship between the followers of Jesus and the civil government / state (Romans 13:1-4), what has changed is Christians acting in a way which Paul never imagined they would.
”We [Christians] do not use the weapons of the world.” That was then.
“Oh yes we [Christians] do, Paul.“ This is now.
I’m pointing people back to Paul.
“It was ignorance of the fact that Christ was to come two times that confused the Jews. They expected Him, at His first coming, to fulfill the prophecies concerning His kingship. But, no! He came the first time to suffer; He will come the second time to reign. He came the first time in weakness; He will come the second time in power. He came the first time in meekness; He will come the second time in resplendent glory and majesty as King.”
(B.R. Lakin, You Can Be Sure: Six Timely Sermons, p. 74)
What are the followers of Jesus supposed to do? Wait patiently and expectantly for Jesus to return.
He came the first time to suffer. Until he returns, followers of Jesus suffer.
He will come the second time to reign. When he does, his followers will reign with him.
He came the first time in weakness. Until he returns, followers of Jesus live in weakness.
He will come the second time in power. When he does, followers of Jesus will be in power.
He came the first time in meekness. Until he returns, followers of Jesus live in meekness.
He will come the second time in resplendent glory and majesty as king. When he does, followers of Jesus will have resplendent glory and majesty as kings.
The church tired of waiting for Jesus. Followers of Jesus must not.
The kingdoms of the world aren’t yet the kingdom of God. They will be. When Jesus returns.
“Jesus did not sit upon the throne of David at His first coming.”
(B.R. Lakin, You Can Be Sure: Six Timely Sermons, p. 75)
We can be sure that he will; when he returns.
What’s that you say? You don’t want to wait for him to return? You don’t want to wait to rule the world with him? You want to rule the world now? Without him sitting on the throne of his Father David in Jerusalem?
You aren’t alone. There were Christians in the middle of the 1st century who wanted that too. Paul dealt with it.
AI Overview -
“In 1 Corinthians 4:8, the Apostle Paul sharply rebukes the believers in Corinth for their arrogance. He criticizes those who were acting as if they had already achieved ultimate glory, wealth, and authority, challenging them to adopt a posture of humility and service rather than premature triumph.
The Context of Paul’s Rebuke
• The Corinthians’ Attitude: The Corinthian church had embraced a false sense of spiritual arrival. They believed they were already ‘rich’ and reigning as kings, possessing all wisdom and spiritual gifts without needing further refinement.
• Paul’s Contrast: In verses 9-13, Paul uses biting irony to contrast their perceived elevated status with the harsh reality of the apostles’ lives. While the Corinthians boasted in their spiritual status, Paul and his companions were enduring poverty, persecution, and being treated as the ‘scum of the earth’.
• The Already / Not Yet Tension: Paul reminds them that the Christian life on earth is a time of endurance and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. The time for reigning and glory had not yet arrived; it is reserved for the future return of Christ.
Key Theological Themes
• Spiritual Pride vs. Humility: Paul warns against mistaking spiritual gifts or worldly success for spiritual maturity. True maturity looks like Christ-like humility and love.
• The Fellowship of Suffering: Paul argues that sharing in Christ’s sufferings is a necessary precursor to sharing His glory.
• Apostolic Example: He holds up the hardships of the apostles as the true model for Christian living, challenging the Corinthians’ obsession with power and status.”
Wait for Jesus.
(B.R. Lakin, You Can Be Sure: Six Timely Sermons, p. 75)
We can be sure that he will; when he returns.
What’s that you say? You don’t want to wait for him to return? You don’t want to wait to rule the world with him? You want to rule the world now? Without him sitting on the throne of his Father David in Jerusalem?
You aren’t alone. There were Christians in the middle of the 1st century who wanted that too. Paul dealt with it.
AI Overview -
“In 1 Corinthians 4:8, the Apostle Paul sharply rebukes the believers in Corinth for their arrogance. He criticizes those who were acting as if they had already achieved ultimate glory, wealth, and authority, challenging them to adopt a posture of humility and service rather than premature triumph.
The Context of Paul’s Rebuke
• The Corinthians’ Attitude: The Corinthian church had embraced a false sense of spiritual arrival. They believed they were already ‘rich’ and reigning as kings, possessing all wisdom and spiritual gifts without needing further refinement.
• Paul’s Contrast: In verses 9-13, Paul uses biting irony to contrast their perceived elevated status with the harsh reality of the apostles’ lives. While the Corinthians boasted in their spiritual status, Paul and his companions were enduring poverty, persecution, and being treated as the ‘scum of the earth’.
• The Already / Not Yet Tension: Paul reminds them that the Christian life on earth is a time of endurance and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. The time for reigning and glory had not yet arrived; it is reserved for the future return of Christ.
Key Theological Themes
• Spiritual Pride vs. Humility: Paul warns against mistaking spiritual gifts or worldly success for spiritual maturity. True maturity looks like Christ-like humility and love.
• The Fellowship of Suffering: Paul argues that sharing in Christ’s sufferings is a necessary precursor to sharing His glory.
• Apostolic Example: He holds up the hardships of the apostles as the true model for Christian living, challenging the Corinthians’ obsession with power and status.”
Wait for Jesus.
“He did not come, the first time, to take over the government.”
(B.R. Lakin, You Can Be Sure: Six Timely Sermons, p. 74)
He will when he comes the second time.
The followers of Jesus have a role in government.
In the government of Nero? In the government that will be taken over by the Messiah?
No.
In the government of the Messiah. When he returns.
”For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.”
(Isaiah 9:6-7, WEB)
P.S.
The Great Commission -> government recruiting.
(B.R. Lakin, You Can Be Sure: Six Timely Sermons, p. 74)
He will when he comes the second time.
The followers of Jesus have a role in government.
In the government of Nero? In the government that will be taken over by the Messiah?
No.
In the government of the Messiah. When he returns.
”For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.”
(Isaiah 9:6-7, WEB)
P.S.
The Great Commission -> government recruiting.
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