Monday, May 3, 2010

Don't Believe Lies

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." -- Matthew 5:11

A couple of years ago my Mother got a new cross necklace as a gift from my Father. She searched and searched until she found the perfect necklace for her. It is gold and shows Jesus hanging from the cross. It means a great deal to her because it symbolizes all He has done for us.

A friend, while admiring it, commented that Mother had selected a "Catholic cross." She explained to Mother that Catholics believe Jesus is still hanging on the cross. Mother was quite upset. She doesn't believe that at all. Neither do Catholics. But the woman spoke with authority and she placed the seed of doubt in Mother's mind.

At an auction Saturday, I overheard two women discussing church. One woman, a Catholic married to a Baptist, said she and her husband had changed churches. The reason? The preacher had devoted one entire sermon to Catholic-bashing. He claimed -- you guessed it -- that Catholics believe Jesus is still hanging on the cross. He also said that Catholics worship symbols rather than God. She was understandably furious and told him so after the service. Now, she assured the woman, they go to a Baptist church where the pastor actually preaches from the Bible.

I interrupted their conversation to tell the story of Mother and her cross necklace. The woman shook her head. It is amazing that a preacher, a person called by God to teach His Word, would spread lies from the pulpit. Is it any wonder that people don't know the facts? Why don't they ask or research something before spreading lies about another person's faith?

I really don't understand why some people need everyone to believe exactly as they do. We have numerous religious denominations because so many of us see things differently. And I don't even want to know how many of those within those denominations have differing views.

All that matters is what I refer to as the John 3:16 belief. Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son? Do you believe He came to this earth as a man to live a sinless life and die on a cross, taking all our sins upon Himself? Do you believe He rose three days later and now sits at the right hand of God? Then you're a Christian.

I always wonder about the heart of someone who needs to preach against another denomination. There are so many wonderful things to learn and teach from the Bible, why does anyone need to down someone else in order to teach God's Word? That circles right back up to heart.

We will never be able to stop others from saying evil things about us. But we can follow Jesus' lead, turn the other cheek, and keep believing in Him with all our hearts. He knows the truth and, in the end, that's all that matters.