"As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." -Romans 9:33
As webservant of Jesus-is-Savior.com, I receive
a lot of e-mail. As you can imagine, I do receive much hate mail.
I never take it personally because I realize that a person's natural carnal
response to the truth is anger. The Apostle Paul said to the Christians
at Galatia, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"
-Galatians 4:16. The truth offends most people, but the Word of God
teaches that we should LOVE THE TRUTH. "And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved." -2nd Thessalonians 2:10. I
love that little phrase..."the love of the truth." Do you love the
truth? Most people don't even care to know the truth. According to
2nd Thessalonians 2:10, those who do not love the truth will fall victim to
all deceivableness of righteousness.
Even today, we see the masses of society falling
prey to the "lying wonders" of Satan. It couldn't be any more blatant
that The White House administration orchestrated the attacks on 911.
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders" -2nd Thessalonians 2:9. Satan is a master
liar, he knows exactly how to deceive the masses of ignorant people (those who
love not the truth). Satan inspired, Adolph Hitler ,said..."People
are more likely to believe a big lie than a small one." Incidentally,
Hitler also professed to be a Christian. Of course, that was just
another lie of the devil, just as George W. Bush in NO Christian. Sadly,
America's Christians are blinded to the truth because they love not the
truth. Too many people have religiosity without truth, Churchianity without
Christianity. The truth couldn't be any more obvious, but the
masses of society are sleeping. Tragically, America's born again
Christians are sleeping as well. "Awake to righteousness..." -1st
Corinthians 15:34. Wake up!
Offend them with the Gospel!
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." -Matthew 10:34,35
The Gospel of Jesus Christ Has Always Offended the Wicked! Romans 9:33 refers to Christ as a "stumblingblock" and a "Rock of offence." Jesus clearly taught in Matthew 10:34,35 that He did NOT come to this world to bring peace. Let me clarify, Jesus' did come to die upon the cross for our sins; thus, enabling us to have peace with God through the precious shed blood of Jesus Christ. BUT, Jesus also expects us to preach the Gospel, which OFFENDS most people. Let me define "Gospel" so there is no misunderstanding. 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 defines the "Gospel" as the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION of Christ Jesus. This includes the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22; Revelation 7:14). There is absolutely nothing in the Word of God which requires "holy baptism" or "holy communion" (both terms are NOT found in the Bible). The Bible never attaches the word "holy" to baptism or the Lord's supper. Hence, any religion which ADDS the "sacraments" (another word not found in the Bible) to faith alone in Christ, is a damnable false religion. This Biblical Truth OFFENDS most people. In fact, the Apostle Paul even called such people "accursed" for teaching ANOTHER GOSPEL (Galatians 1:9).
Now, you can get upset at me if you want, but the Bible calls the Catholic religion cursed! Why? Because they are NOT teaching the Gospel put forth in the Word of God. Mary is not recognized in any capacity in the Word of God, yet Catholics idolize her with vain repetitions of "Hail Mary!" (53 times per Rosary). This is dead religion, and rejected by God (Matthew 6:7; Mark 7:7). Catholicism is a prison-house of religion.
Likewise, the Lutheran religion, the United Church of Christ, Greek Orthodox, Episcopalian, and many others--all ADD the sacraments to faith alone in Christ. A "sacrament" is "a formal religious act conferring a specific grace on those who receive it." There is NO such teaching in the Bible. God strictly warns everyone about adding or subtracting from His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2), "Ye shall not ADD unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye DIMINISH ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Satan knows that it's much easier to trick someone into believe in the Gospel PLUS something, than it is trying to get them to reject the Gospel altogether. So instead of trying to get people out of church, Satan works to get people into religions that ADD to (or DIMINISH) the simple Gospel. The Jehovah's Witnesses DIMINISH the Truth, by denying the Godhead deity of Jesus Christ. Catholics ADD Mary worship. Lutherans ADD the sacraments. The Baha'i faith DIMINISHES the truth by claiming that there are numerous ways to the light, in clear contrast to the Biblical teaching that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Heaven, through Christ Jesus (John 14:6). The Seventh Day Adventists ADD the Sabbath and good works to faith alone in Christ. In one way or another, every religious cult ADDS to, or DIMINISHES. the Word of God. The Bible plainly teaches that salvation is by faith ALONE in Christ Jesus, and the blood which He shed for our sins. This is why the Apostle Paul declared in Romans 1:16 that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." The power to be saved is in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6); NOT the pope, not the priest, not a religion, not the sacraments--But ONLY Jesus (Acts 4:12).
Offend them with the Truth about Sin!
Never before in the history of America has the Devil worked so hard to call evil good; and good, evil. Malachi 2:17 states...
"Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them..."
This means that God is upset with those Christians (such as Christianity Today) who see no harm in Harry Potter's witchcraft. This means that God is upset with those Christians (such as Dr. James Dobson of FOCUS ON THE FAMILY) who say that homosexuals should have marriage rights. This means that God is upset with those Christians (such as those professed at www.Jesusfreaks.com) who say that rock-n-roll is good if you change the words. This means that God is upset with the Southern Baptist Convention for lifting their ban against Walt Disney, when Walt Disney hasn't forsaken their godless annual GAY DAY week, and other filth, such as their Desperate Housewives series. God's children need to CRY ALOUD against the evils and wickedness of our day. Sadly, we are experiencing a "thawing" of Christians "towards gays and lesbians." This is exactly what the homosexuals said when the Southern Baptist Convention lifted their 8-year ban against the vile Disney company.
Let Christians everywhere start preaching the
Truth of God's Word against sin!!! Homosexuality is a sin! (Leviticus
20:13); Adultery is a sin! (Exodus 20:14); fornication is a sin! (Jude 1:7);
Watching people commit adultery on TV is a sin! (Romans 1:32); abortion is a
sin! (Exodus 20:13); witchcraft is a sin! (1st Samuel 15:23); pornography is a
sin! (Matthew 5:28); corrupting the Word of God is a sin! (Deuteronomy 4:2);
teaching a false Gospel is a sin! (Galatians 1:9); adding anything to faith
alone in Christ for salvation is a sin! (Ephesians 2:8,9); so-called
"Christian rock" music is a sin! (James 4:4); and so forth! If the born
again Christians of the world fail to preach against sin, then who will?
I am wearied with believers who say that we should love, love, love sinners;
but never preach against their sins. I triple-dog dare you to show me
that in the Bible! We're supposed to love sinners (Leviticus 19:18), but
also take a stand against sin (Psalm 94:16; Ephesians 5:11).
What About Pastor Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church?
Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. (born November 13, 1929) is the pastor and leader of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), an independent Baptist church in Topeka, Kansas. Phelps is also a lawyer and founder of the Phelps Chartered law firm. WBC is listed as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. He is known for preaching with slogans and banners denoting phrases such as "God hates fags," "AIDS cures fags," and "Fags die, God laughs (or mocks)," and claims that God will punish homosexuals as well as people such as Bill O'Reilly, Coretta Scott King, and Howard Dean, whom his church considers "fag-enablers". His church says he is a "Five-Point Calvinist". -SOURCE
There is a BALANCE that needs to be maintained. It is wrong for any believer to become so self-righteous that they become hateful towards unrepentant sinners (such as Pastor Fred Phelps at www.Godhatesfags.com). This is wrong. God hates sin; BUT, never the sinner. John 3:16 plainly states, "For God so loved THE WORLD..." How could God hate any man or woman whom He died upon the cross for? 1st John 2:2 plainly declares that Christ shed His blood for all mankind. Romans 5:8 declares that Christ died for us, "while we were yet sinners." On the other hand, it is equally wrong for a believer to compromise moral and doctrinal standards under the pretense of "love." True Biblical love NEVER allows for sinful compromise. I often receive letters from Homosexuals and witches, telling me that Jesus taught us to LOVE one another. How ironic that Christ-rejecting witches and Sodomites would quote God's Word; then again, that's exactly what Satan did to Eve in Genesis 3:1, and to Jesus in Matthew 4:6. So it is not surprising that witches and Sodomites, who reject the Bible, would quote the Bible like their father the Devil.
I want to say this ... Pastor Fred Phelps comes a whole lot closer to being right than MOST pastors in America today, i.e., concerning his fierce stand against homosexuality in America. Would to God that more pastors CARED about the deplorable spiritual condition of the United States. The average American today has waxed sinfully proud, spoiled, and indifferent concerning evil. You can't tell most Americans the truth nowadays, because they either flare up in hostility and rage or could care less. Many Americans have become intolerant and hostile towards the truth. A soon to be released Walt Disney movie, UNDER DOG, features the motto... "One nation under dog!" BLASPHEMY!!!
I totally disagree with all 5 points of Calvinism to which Pastor Fred Phelps adheres. Calvinism is heresy. It is understandable why Pastor Phelps hates sinners when you understand the tenets of John Calvin, a heretic. Calvinists believe that God chooses who will, or won't, go to Heaven, and that God only loves those chosen to be saved. Of course this it very unbiblical. If you'd like to know much more, please read Not Chosen to Salvation which diligently exposes the heresies of Calvinism. Fred Phelps is further proof of what is wrong with Calvinism.
Having said that, I want to reiterate what I said a moment ago... Pastor Fred Phelps comes a whole lot closer to being right than MOST pastors in America today! I'm not saying Pastor Phelps is correct in his approach, he's not. I know Fred Phelps could reach a whole lot more people for God if he'd present the love of God for sinners along with his hatred for sin. He doesn't even speak of God's love on his churches' website. I don't understand any professed believer who hates sin, but doesn't love the sinner as a person for whom Christ died (Romans 5:8). Howbeit, Pastor Phelps comes a whole lot closer to being right than the following sorry excuse for a pastor... A U.S. News and World Report article (December 2003, The New Old-Time Religion, by Jay Tolson, pg. 42) quotes Lon Solomon, pastor of the McLean Bible Church near Tyson's Corner, Virginia (a megachurch that draws up to 10,000 people on Sundays) as stating...
"Abortion and homosexuality are minor concerns in our church. The bell we beat is that we must know Jesus. We are offering people a different and better way to live than secular America offers."
Jonathan Edwards is appalled from Heaven! Abortion and homosexuality ... MINOR CONCERNS? What? Where in the Word of God are we ever led to view sin as a "minor issue"? I just don't understand how any professed "man of God," a pastor over 10,000 people, can call the murdering of over 40,000,000 babies (in the U.S. alone) ... a MINOR CONCERN! Americans have murdered more children through abortions than all of America's war dead combined!!! And yet we praise ourselves as being a nation that "values life." What liars!
Now,
Fred Phelps may go way overboard in his approach, but we deserve those
kind of messages as a nation who has rejected God's Word. We are a
bunch of hypocrites in America! Why is it that no one gets enraged
when homosexuals are marching up and down the streets of America with their
despicable signs? Ever heard of the "Pink
Angels"? They're a group of homosexuals that attack Christians at
homosexual parades. Why just get mad at Fred Phelps? Why is it
that no one gets upset when the pro-abortionists are standing on the street
corner holding up their murderous signs praising abortion? People can
streak naked in public, and no one cares or complains. Don't believe
it? Welcome to
Brattleboro, Vermont, where streaking is legal and a daily occurrence in
down town. Is this America? Yes!
To those Christians who would criticize Fred Phelps I ask you... What are you doing to take a stand against the evils in our nation? It's easy for those on the sidelines to criticize those on the field. I'd rather have 10,000 Fred Phelps than what we have today... deadbeat believers who never lift a finger to warn the wicked, preach the Gospel, or take an uncompromising stand against sin. Lord give us more Billy Sundays! Again, I'm not endorsing Fred Phelps' ministry, but he's coming a whole lot closer to Biblical Christianity than the millions of compromised, thin skinned, cowardly, lazy, entertainment type believers today in America. God deliver us from cafeteria Christians! Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Most believers today have no idea what Jesus is talking about, because they've never suffered any persecution as a Christian. 2nd Timothy 3:12 warns, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Is anyone getting upset with you? Today's believers have redefined Christianity to fit this wicked world. This is why America's pulpits are eerily silent concerning the great American holocaust--abortion! Few churches today are willing to preach publicly against the sin of homosexuality. Why? If every church in America did what Fred Phelps is doing, but also preached the love of God through the Gospel, our nation would be saved. Hate him if you want, but Pastor Phelps is indeed taking a stand against a wicked nation. He is taking it the wrong way in my opinion; but at least he's taking a stand. One thing is clear... Pastor Phelps preaches the Biblical truth that homosexuality is a vile sin, and that America is overdue for God judgment. I agree 100%.
Pictured to right: Pastor Fred Phelps of the Topeka, Kansas, WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH.
Many of the people criticizing Mr. Phelps are
hypocrites. Sean Hannity of FoxNew, who is adored by many
fundamental Christians today, has spoke many flaming words of criticism
against Fred Phelps and his church members; however, Mr. Hannity is a devout
hellbound Catholic. Many Christians have been totally brainwashed by
conservative newsmedia. Truthfully, conservatives today are as heathen
and godless as the liberals. Sean Hannity is as lost and on his way to
Hell as is Alan Colmes (who in his book Red, White, and Liberal, has
a chapter called... "Jesus was a liberal." Sean Hannity has
a dating website
which welcomes homosexuals. Who's kidding who? Hannity and
Colmes are both unsaved heathens. It's time for America's Christians
to wake up and return to the God of the Bible.
Compromised Morality Under the pretense of Love
If you want to know what Jesus was really like, then please read my article on Tough Love Jesus! Jesus NEVER compromised morality under the pretense of "love." The world's synthetic "love" is NO love at all. The Devil has redefined "love" to mean "acceptance" and "unity" at ALL costs. Satan used leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. to accomplish this. In the following quote you will see what I mean. Coretta Scott King, quoting her husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. said...
“I have worked too long and hard against segregated public accommodations to end up segregating my moral concern." -Coretta Scott King, remarks, press conference on the introduction of ENDA, Washington, DC, June 23, 1994.
In other words, Martin Luther King said he wasn't going to make an issue of morality. The teachings of Communists like Martin Luther King (and others) have brainwashed many American citizens into believing that we must UNITE at all costs; thus, setting aside all of our differences. Hence, Christians are pressured to accept homosexuals in the name of "love" (as the godless world defines it). No sir! We are commanded by the Bible to obey God, not men (Romans 3:4). I will NOT accept the homosexuals because God tells me not to (Psalm 97:10; Ephesians 5:11). I will not be unkind to them, but I will never stop preaching against homosexuality until the Lord decides it's time for me to stop. If the truth OFFENDS them, so be it! King's wife, Coretta Scott King, was an avid supporter of gays and lesbians. This is the New Age concept of "love" (thus preparing the stage for the Antichrist, who seeks to unite all mankind in worship of him). God commands us to SEPARATE from unbelievers (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17). The Bible teaches that we must be divided over truth (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17); rather than united by error. Let us not be lackadaisical in these last days before the Lord's return; but rather, let us STAND ( Ephesians 6:11), CONTEND (Jude 1:3), and FIGHT (1st Timothy 6:12) for our precious Lord Jesus Christ. If the truth is offensive to the unsaved wicked world, then ... OFFEND THEM!
In Jesus' name,
David J. Stewart
