Can we be There for Them When it Matters most?

It is with great sadness I write today informing you of a group of people who are seriously misled. I thought I might add a link to their site, but as I perused it, I realized the last thing I want to do is point someone (who might not be able to handle it) in such a wrong direction. My blog is about finding light; truth.

Have you heard of "The Blasphemy Challenge?" It has been set up by a group of atheists who (mis)take the biblical passage of Mark 3:29 as meaning that if you say the actual words "I deny the Holy Spirit," you are forever damning your soul. So they have set up a place where you can post your video denial and join their ever growing ranks.

First my take, then our response.

MY TAKE
1) Mark 3:29 is not about saying the actual words. It is a condition of the human spirit. Humankind is mostly unaware of the spiritual realm- and God will only hold us responsible for what we know of it. This is opposed to those angels who chose to deny God, when they knew the whole truth. They were not looking through a glass darkly, as it were. So the result of their sin was permanent- there is no redemption available and they knew that when they chose to follow Lucifer.

When a human being says those fateful words, it will not in and of itself condemn you forever, but it might lead you down the path which will someday get you there. However, until you do get there (and there's a lot of speculation on when and how you "get there"), God is willing to forgive. These people are not accomplishing what they think they are and we should ask God to reveal the truth to them.

2) They (and many of the links they give) speak of the hatred Christians have for non-Christians and even have recordings of "famous" Christians saying hateful things. Bottom line: they are right in many cases! Who of us have not heard "Christians" saying such hateful things about other human beings?

Yes, there will always be those people who call themselves "Christian" (Christ-follower), but are really NOTHING like Jesus. True Christianity is about love- NOT hate. God loves all humankind. Therefore we should love all humankind. We must own up to the fact that we often aren't the best examples of what Jesus has to offer.

3) They speak of rational thinking. A rational person sees no reason to believe in God (so they say). Yet it is here they take the same step of faith they denounce Christians for, but in another direction. It takes faith to NOT believe in God. There is just way too much evidence around us to NOT see God's obvious existence. To deny something that so permeates the world around us takes anything BUT rational thinking.

OUR RESPONSE
Many "Christians" are denouncing these people as the worst kind of humans. They are fighting against them and, yes, hating them as if that will somehow win them over to the "truth." But THAT truth is not REAL truth. Out response should be sadness, humiliation and prayer.

Sadness because The Enemy has really pulled one over on these people. They think they are so right and yet they are so wrong. Many of them will one day see the truth, but it will be too late (others will be won over by a REAL Christian loving them). Remember- God didn't create hell as a punishment for humankind, he created it for Lucifer and his followers. If you follow him, you'll certainly get to the same place he goes to. God does NOT want that. He is not willing that ANY should perish and even sent Jesus to make SURE it wouldn't happen to any who just believe in him.

We should feel humiliation for our part in pushing these people to this place in their lives. We have obviously not been there for them when they needed us. We have obviously let them down. Many of us have hated them and looked down on them and shown them disdain instead of the love Jesus has for them. We need to humble ourselves- maybe in front of them- and ask forgiveness for our failure to "be" Jesus to them.

We need to PRAY for these people. I challenge you to do so. And I don't mean just namby pamby "bless them all, Lord" prayers. We need to weep and fast and bring these people to Jesus BY NAME.

I know, I'm asking you to pray for them by name and then not giving you any names, because I've not given the link (I also will not post these people's names without their permission). If you know the site and are serious, I encourage you to watch a few videos, catch their names and begin praying (you can also contact me privately to get more info).

They HAVE NOT condemned themselves forever. We CAN stand in the gap for them and make a difference.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, make us good examples of your love to others- especially those who have needed us in the past and we have failed them. Give us a burden to pray for those who need you most, yet believe in you least. May we be faithful to you and to them.