Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 243
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
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This
is a beautiful writing by Michael which sheds truth on the tragedy of what is
taking place in Unbelievers’ lives all around the world, day after day. Every real Believer can see and understand
what is really taking place in the Unbeliever’s eyes and mind…having been there
and done that.
DAY 148
“I Do Not Believe Because Of The Crusades!”
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it
yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to
what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of
God in Christ Jesus.
--Philippians 3:13, 14
You may not hear it
in the places you travel, but I have heard it so many times I actually find
myself finishing people’s sentences for them. They do not believe in Christianity because of the
Crusades! If it is not the wars, the people may finish the sentence with what a
pastor once did, the behavior of the television evangelists, or the tenets or
actions of some associated with a certain denomination. They have ready examples of abuse by
Christians, whether in the past or present, that exempt them from having to question their own lives
and allow them to discount Jesus and every positive example of believers.
Make a list and put in the left column those things Christians have done wrong
and in the right column the contributions of believers. From talking on the
phone to turning on the lights, from getting vaccinations to women’s and
children’s rights, from everyday great inventions that have become commonplace
to mass education, the world is indebted to the inspiration received by
Christians. The
unbelieving world stands on the backs of the believers, reaps the benefit of
believers, and makes their complaint against the believers. I just
cannot recall a plethora of scientific contributions of Hindus or atheists. The argument against Christ
because of the behavior of a few is flawed, if not ridiculous. Horses
have killed people, so will I never own a horse? Electricity has killed people;
do I not want electricity in my house? Cars kill people; should I never own a
car? Doctors have immoral procedures; will I never go to a doctor? People kill
people; should I never listen to another person? The Crusades took place; I
will refuse any contact with Christianity. It is absurd. The issue is not the Crusades;
the issue is pride, which no argument will break,
for by its very nature
pride is blindness that only Jesus can break through. Before a word is spoken to a
proud person, it is predetermined that it will not be received. The only
reason for speaking to such a one about it is the revelation of his heart and a
coming judgment.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
One thing the Apostle Paul had “laid hold of”: the scales had been
removed from Paul’s eyes and he had seen and trusted Jesus to be his
Savior. Holy Spirit had given Paul the
capacity to see and know that Jesus IS “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and
that “no man cometh unto the Father, but by (Him).”
Michael makes an important point…”those who do not believe in
Christianity have ready examples,” (that they feel worthy
of) “exempting them from
having to question their own lives and allow them to discount Jesus and every
positive example of believers.” All the
while, “the unbelieving world stands on the backs of the believers, reaps the
benefit of believers, and makes their complaint against the believers.”
But the heart of Michael’s writing today is summed up: “The issue is not
the Crusades; the issue is pride, which no argument will break, for by its very
nature pride is blindness that only Jesus can break through. Before a word is
spoken to a proud person, it is predetermined that it will not be received.”
Four of my most favorite verses are 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (1st
verses I ever preached a sermon on...titled: “The Lost Don’t Know They Are Lost!”):
“But if our gospel be hid, it is
hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves
your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God
who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ.”
These verses shed light
(no pun intended!) on exactly what Michael has pointed out so well: a
LOST person (Unbeliever) does not, and cannot, “see” Truth. They are blinded by the god of this
world. And there is no extreme to which
an Unbelieving Mind will go to believe a Lie, or to give examples (which
ARE arguments which are flawed, if not ridiculous)
of the behavior of a few as to “reasons” they will not believe in Christ or
Christianity. Sad, but reality. We must pray for the scales to be removed
from their eyes!
Can I hear an “amen” to
what happened in your life to become a Believer: For God who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ. AMEN!
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NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches,
TX 75963 936-559-5696
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