Being Bold

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May 7, 2012

"Being Bold"

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 118:22  (HCSB) The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Devotional Reading:

The number-one enemy of Christianity today is religion, not unrepentant sinners. It was so from the very beginning. Jesus did not offend sinners…he offended the religious men of His day. The religious elite that have to live by their rituals and things...The same ones who have pushed Christ out of the church.  The "good old boys" who have been called to pastor, with no formal training.  He, Jesus, was the cornerstone rejected not by the passers-by, but by the builders themselves. In the person of Jesus, religion and Christianity tackled head-on. How can you distinguish religion from authentic Christianity? Here are a few clues. First, religion loves ritual. Religion delights in the status quo. Change makes it uncomfortable. Religion is a commitment to a system of beliefs, attitudes and practices. Second, religion responds to challenge with intimidation. Challenge religion, and it will attempt to intimidate you into submission.  It will attempt to make you fear the ritual instead of the love of Christ.  What does an attorney do when he suspects that truth may not be on his side? He buys time, attacks procedure and assassinates character. Religion is defended the same way. What about Christianity? Well, Christianity loves the truth. Aristotle defined the truth as “saying of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not.” In other words, truth has a standard, and is not relative. Also, Christianity responds to challenge with boldness. Why? Because knowing the truth and embracing it gives us courage. When religion and Christianity clash, what happens? Many times, people come to know Christ. When Peter and John were arrested for the first time, five thousand people were saved! Don’t be afraid when your faith is challenged by religion. When this happens, the stage is set for blessing, not for defeat.  While I was growing up, I was religious, even to the point of exclaiming, "I would be a priest one day".  XXX wrong answer, Catholicism like other faiths held me hostage and keep me in bondage.  Faith is what truly liberated me...faith is not a procedure or a ritual it is a relationship with Christ Jesus!  Bold in Him is what I will always be!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20