Do you love your swine more then Jesus?

by Nick Herring

I have been reading the book Knowing the Heart by Jonathan Edwards. This book is very convicting and has given me a better view of the deceitfulness of my ownheart. In his chapter about the Gadarenes loving their swine more then Jesus, I was thinking about all the things that people love more then Jesus. Jesus said, "whoever doesn't hate his own mother and father and yes even his own life can't be my disciple."

Following Jesus may cost you your very life and or everything you own. Too many people are saying today that it is easy to be a Christen and you don't have to give up anything. I would guess that these people don't read their Bibles much and see all the people that were killed for their faith in Jesus. People like the all Apostles, and people who this very day are being killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. We must not put anything before Christ. God is a jealous God and He will NOT be put in second place to anything or anyone.

In the story of the Gadarenes we see that the men loved their earthly things more then Jesus. Even after Jesus cast out the demons they still didn't want anything to do with Him. Men are naturally lovers of the "things" of this world and of the God who made this world. The Gadarenes loved their "swine" more then having the Son of God in their home. Here is the amazing thing to think about, the Son of God was in the Gadarene's home land and they didn't want anything to do with Him. Are we any different today? We have more "things" then any other country in the world, but the obvious question is, how many of the people of the USA would give up their "swine" to have Jesus? If Jesus is not the most important thing in your life, then I commend you to examine yourself and see if you really are in the faith. Make sure you really are saved!!!

Agreeing to Disagree?

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no division among you, but that you be united in the same mind and same judgement.

According to this passage, unity is a command of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul throws in some more force to his already authoritative words by adding by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It's almost like he is saying, "hey, let me remind you who I am sent on behalf of. You better listen up!" 

What is the issue here? What is Paul's concern?

1. They must agree. 

2. There was to be no division. 

3. They were to be united in mind and judgement.

What can we infer from those three commands?

1. They did not agree.

2. There was division.

3. They were not united in mind and judgement.

This is further supported in verse 11, For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. The issue was that some people constructed the false assumption, which was Apollos, Paul and Cephas (Peter)all taught different doctrines. Therefore, some Corinthians went off into different directions claiming different teachers as their leader. Some people even sought to top everybody off and say, I follow Christ. 

Well, it's quite obvious from this passage of Scripture that we are not to be "people groupies," but rather, look unto God instead of the man sent by God. But something that gets very often over looked is the fist three commands to agree, not divide and be united in mind and judgement. 

Yet, vast amounts of Churches and Para-Church groups seek to rally believers of diverse or undefined doctrinal positions in the name of unity. Another common trend is the belief that doctrine really does not matter that much in the first place. Yet Paul says we must agree and not only agree but be of the same mind. 

I submit to the reader that the cry of "mixed doctrine for Jesus," is not a Christian position and has no place in biblical evangelism or missions. If we are to be an exploding force in the world, we must be united doctrinally. Therefore, away with all the talks of agreeing to disagree. Let us have no part in this fad of confusion. May we stand in the battle bonded with our brothers by the Scripture, and wield the truth with love while the troops gather in line!