Remember—never forget who you are and treat all men as friends until they prove differently.”
–Bobby Cavazos (The Cowboy From the Wild Horse Desert)
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.”
–Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV)
————————
It was with concern that I read where the city bureaucrats of New York have finally forced Samaritan’s Purse from their domain. One of the most renown benevolent distributors have been rejected because of its founder, Franklin Graham. It is because Rev. Graham stands for the authority of the Word of God and the truth it presents. Folks this is dangerous.
“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
–Matthew 11:23-24 (NKJV)
And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
–Mark 6:11 (NKJV)
Have these people just sealed their doom? In Matthew, Jesus is speaking about Capernaum. It was not a spectacular city, but it was a place where he healed many, and had done miracles. They had seen His power and His compassion, but they were coming to a point of rejecting Him. This had been His home base during His ministry on earth.
In Mark, Jesus is speaking to any place that rejects the message of the Gospel. Sodom and Gomorrah were immoral cities; they were know for their perverted lifestyle. Yet Jesus makes reference to them and to the fact that those cities that refuse the hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would face eternal destruction. Sodom had not heard the message of Christ, but these places where the disciples are going are being given the Gospel.
If the message of Christ is not heeded, they were instructed to “shake of the dust from under your feet as a testimony against them.” It is good that we remember that the disciples’ message, the message of the Bible, is one that brings judgment as well as salvation. The Holy Spirit either convicts or condemns, then it is up to the receiver to choose. They can repent when they hear the Good News or they can choose to be condemned.
We live in perilous times; times in which the Word of God is being preached, and from what I understand thousands are coming to the Lord. Yet, at this same time others are rejecting the truth of God’s Word; they are falling away. I saw where one bureaucrat had a paper upon which was written, “how Jesus helped in the pandemic,” and below the title it was blank. Woe, for it will be better for Sodom in the day of judgment.
In this time, this current time on earth, rejoice! Again rejoice, for this is an opportunity for you to present the Word of God, not necessarily in your words, but through your actions and attitudes. Take comfort in His promises, trust always in Him, and to use that King James expression for the Holy Spirit–remember He is our Comforter.