DavidSays

1.......................
Bad Christians

My friend was wondering aloud, “Why are some Christians behave like they have not known the teachings of the Lord. They are so judgmental, self-righteous, and downright bad.”
“ You are looking at defeated and nominal Christians,” I told him.
“What do you mean? Who are defeated and nominal Christians,” he pressed on.
If a person is self-righteous, unforgiving and are quick to criticize other people’s shortcomings, that man, definitely, does not know God. A person who knows God knows who he is — a sinful depraved creature who desperately needs a Savior. That is a very low perch indeed; and that is where true Christians are. They are happy and contented in the state of depravity because they draw their strength from the Lord.
Why the arrogant, self-righteous, vengeful, unforgiving, judgmental and bad people call themselves Christians? Simple. Christianity is a crutch to them. It makes them feel very good. You see Christianity is like gold. It is precious and beautiful, so that other people yearn to have it, or be part of it.
This is very true with Filipinos (at home and abroad). They call themselves
Christians all because everybody around them is into “Christianity.” But do they know the basic doctrines of the Christian faith? Are they familiar with the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles? Do they ever read the bible? Do they love to listen the preaching of Christian ministers? Do they have personal relationships with the Lord?
The answer to all those questions are... no, most of them don’t. That is why there are a lot of bad Filipino Christians. And that translates to a bad Philippine government. But that is another story. I am going to deal with that next.
It is easy to go to church every weekend, sit on a pew and be in the sanctuary among Christian believers. But that does not make one a Christian? Surely, you cannot put a bicycle in the garage and call it a car. Still, the reality is that you will find a lot of bicycles inside garages; or you find a lot of nominal Christians in church sanctuaries all the time. We meet these people every day. They are our spouses, relatives, co-workers and dear friends. It is easy to identify them. These are the people who recite the golden rule when asked for bible memory verses. These are the people who leave the church sanctuary for a puff of cigarette when the minister starts his sermon or preaching. These are the people who go to church to show the world that they are respectable and decent enough, but in their hearts lurk the enemy of truth and righteousness.
My friend wanted to know what is his proper attitude towards bad and nominal Christians.
“Pray for them,” I said. That is the right Christian attitude.
We do not have any business criticizing people for what they do or not do, because if we point a finger at anybody, three of those fingers point back at us.”
“Allow this one last question” my friend insisted,”
How do you define Christianity?
Christianity is recognizing that one is a sinner, repenting of his sins, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and devoting his talent, time and resources for God’s kingdom. (You can reach the author at davecasuco@peryodiko.net)

2.......................
Believers shall never die

For this special week, let us reflect on what the Lord told Martha minutes before he called out Lazarus to rise from the dead: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall have life. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…”

Do you believe this?

We hem and haw when confronted by this question. We say, “Yes…but, well, I am not much into that religious stuff. And then we dodge the bullet and seek the escape route with a defying statement, “besides, spirituality is a personal matter.” We are lukewarm if we do that, and God’s word says He will “spit us out.” We just have to be hot or cold when dealing with God.

Back up again to John 11:25. The Lord was asking Martha, “Do you believe this?”

Unlike a lot of us, Martha was hot. She answered, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world (John 11:27).” What happened? The world witnessed one of the greatest miracles ever – the raising of Lazarus of Bethany from the dead. The Church leaders during that time were threatened; the Roman rulers were shaken. They killed our Lord. But, on the third day, as the Scriptures had it, Jesus the Christ rose again.

And that is why Christians celebrate Easter Sunday, the anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection. The funny thing is how Easter generates different responses from Christian believers. Some do it with eggs; others do it with flagellations, crucifixions and all sorts of funky, if blasphemous religious practices.

An old Polish legend blended folklore and Christian beliefs and firmly attached the egg to the Easter celebration. It tells of the time when Mary, “the mother of Jesus,” gave eggs to the Roman soldiers at the foot of the Cross. She implored them to be less cruel and, as she wept, her tears fell upon the eggs, spotting them with brilliant colors. Polish believers, by the way, are known for their strong Marian devotion.

Curiously, the Filipinos don’t do it with eggs. The Filipino faithful are far more creative than any peoples in the world. The world media witness every year the ultimate sadistic acts men ever do – the self-inflicted wounds from senseless flagellations, the gory and bloody crucifixions and all those Holy Week voodoos Pinoy style.

The Scripture says we cannot do what we want to do for God and expect credit for it. God’s ways are higher that our ways. His way of blotting out people’s sins is through the blood of his Son. That was done in Calvary some 2000 years ago. Aside from that, there is no other sacrifice that is acceptable to Him.

The good news is that God is holy and loving. (His other attributes, according to the bible, are: all-powerful, eternal, merciful, just and righteous). His holiness and our sinfulness don’t reconcile. So that He cannot embrace us because we are filthy with sins. We are a depraved created being, sinners and are going to die anytime. However, His love for us is so great, so He devised a plan to buy us back. The plan was a perfect plan; it entailed the shedding of the blood of His only begotten Son on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ then became the sacrificial Lamb.

Now, we just don’t die like the beasts in the field. Everlasting life is now appropriated for the elect. God had done the hard part; our task is just getting into Jesus’ team. It does not require hermeneutics and systematic theology (these stuff are for religious bureaucrats). Just get into Jesus’ team and you will learn how to play by the rules. And the good thing about it is that Jesus’ team never ever loses.

Enough with Easter eggs and Holy Week follies, enough with our own designs; God’s perfect plan is already in place. And, unlike us, God does not change His plan because every thing He does is perfect. Now, think about it. (You can reach the author at davecasuco@peryodiko.com)
3..............................
December dilemma

Christians living in culturally-diverse places in America face a dilemma everytime Christmas season comes. Their problem is that they cannot celebrate the birth of the Lord the way they used to, because some people might take offense at the sights and sounds of the traditional Christmas celebration and slap them with lawsuits.
In the malls and in a lot of places there is a conspicuous absence of traditional Christmas symbols like the Manger, where the three wise kings from the east first saw the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. In its place are hollies and lights display. Likewise gone are the task theology-loaded Christmas carols like Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Holy Night, and Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. The politically correct people, so-called, are agressively advocating what they call religious-neutral songs like Silver and Gold and Silver Bells.
In the Philippines, they even went as far as making Christmas songs a personal thing. So, what did they do? They replaced the traditional Simbang Gabi and Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit with a very personal interpretation of Christmas, like Pasko Na Sinta Ko and Miss Kita Kung Christmas.
These politically-correct, anti-Christmas crusaders are not done yet. After they successfully pulled out the Manger from the public view, they are now saying that the popular season's greetings Merry Christmas be changed to Happy Holidays.
Now, think about it. If you are a serious and well-meaning Christian you must be very alarmed by now. I guess you will agree with me that this is simply crazy. It is like celebrating a birthday without inviting the celebrant.
I am not an ultra-conservative Christian believer, but the way things are going on, I believe it is time to take a pro-active stance against the forces that are trying to trivialize the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings and the true ruler of this earth. (The author can be reached at davecasuco@

4.......................
Different spirit

I found an interesting letter in my email box last week. Here it goes: I noticed that you write about the Christian faith. Maybe you can help me answer this particular question that has been bothering me. I would like to think that I am a sincere Christian believer, and although I am not yet a mature Christian, I believe everything there is about Christianity. My question is, “You said there are over 400 competing Christian denominations and sects. Why do churches have different beliefs and practices? Don’t you think this is confusing? Why is it like this? — Erwin L., City of Industry.
Dear Erwin:
Christianity is not confusing and God is not the author of confusion. The rise of different Christian denominations is the result of people trying to use Christianity for their own selfish ends. I am saying there is a mass deception going on right now, and the target are the believers who do not read the bible and do not know what the Lord and his Apostles taught us.
This mass deception phenomenon is not surprising. Our Lord himself gave us a warning that this deception is forthcoming when he said, “For many shall come in my name, saying I am the Christ; and shall deceive many (Matt.24:5).”
Now, take a look around you. And then, take another closer look at the Christian denominations and their teachings. If you are familiar with the teachings of the Lord in the bible, you will be able to identify the deceivers who are teaching false doctrines. Here are few of the very common deceptions of false teachers who come in the name of the Lord:
a) They teach that Jesus Christ is not God. They deny the Holy Trinity. This teaching is opposed to the biblical Christian doctrine that there are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same substance, equal in power and glory.
b) Some of these false teachers emphasize positive thinking, prosperity and wellness and other doctrines that glorify the human being. This is opposed to the Christian doctrine that man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. The word of God in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
c) Some of these counterfeit religions teach, “Man can be God.” This is downright blasphemy. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of him. Also, that man is a depraved, created being and needs a Savior to be reconciled with the Holy God.
A lot of “Christian preachers” so-called are not actually called to be ministers of the Christian faith. Some are drawn into the Christian ministry by ambition, power and money. They are wolves in sheep clothing prowling in church sanctuaries. I have encountered a lot of them. Their spirits are just repulsive! The Apostle Paul was referring to these greedy people when he issued a warning to Christian believers: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (Thess 5:21). That is why we must be sure that we know what the bible really says. Paul continued: “for if he who comes preaches another Jesus we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it (2Cor 11:4).”
So, be careful out there. The snares of the enemy are real. Let the bible be your guide so you will not be lured into a wrong system of worship. (The author can be reached at davecasuco@peryodiko.net)

5..........................
Does God know you?

The Christian faith can be a lot of things to a lot of people. Some deal with it like a religion; others regard it an integral part of their lifestyles. Still others, they consider it their comfort zone.
Good ideas, but the Christian faith is not any of those. Christian faith is the correct response to the will of God. It is a way of life that has a direct link to eternity.
My cousin, a regular guy, believes in God, in Christian precepts, in Americanism and in himself. He does not want other people to look at his religious life; he just wants people to assume there is enough goodness in him to qualify as a Christian. He actually calls himself Christian because his parents and his family are all into it. When I told him that Christianity is more than what he has, he gave me a tired look and said, “You are not saying I am a member of some funky cult, are you?”
I told him, “You don’t get it, do you?”
He then turned ballistic and said, “Look, I don’t care what Christianity is to you. In my case, I believe in God and that’s it. Period. And, if I may add, that is none of your business, or anybody else’s business.”
“Exactly. But it doesn’t hurt if we can upgrade that knowledge of God into a relationship with God. Then it is not only you knowing God, but it is God knowing you also. There will be a relationship, in effect,” I told him.
The one thing that I wanted my cousin to realize is that, it is not a question of whether or not we know God. The big question is: Does God know us?” The bible says the only way God can know us if we have a personal relationship with Him. That can be attained through the Son of Man, Jesus Christ our Lord. In no uncertain terms our Lord said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” It is very self-explanatory. It means if we have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we definitely don’t have a personal relationship with God.
Consider this analogy: Almost everybody knows U.S. President George W. Bush is the leader of the greatest nation of the world. However, President Bush doesn’t know every person who knows him. Even the people who voted him to office are not personal friends of the President. These people cannot just go to the White House and expect the President to set aside his work to welcome them with open arms. In the first place, the guards would not even open the gate. Definitely, the White House guards will be looking for identifications and credentials.
It makes a lot of difference if the President knows us personally; he keeps a special relationship with us. We may get special invitations to White House socials, the gates and doors of the Presidential residence open for us, we get to walk and talk with the most powerful person in the country. Our association with him will subsequently boost our stock. We become a lot more like the President just basking under his power. We become more patriotic, dignified, confident and powerful.
The same thing with God, if we have a relationship with Him, God recognizes us. And if God knows us He responds to our needs. He opens the heavens and showers us with blessings. He sometimes tests us though to put us to a higher level of spiritual living. He walks with us, talks to us and we become sensitive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. He flushes out bitterness, envy, hatred and covetousness from our hearts. We gain the peace that surpasses human understanding. We see the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of the Lord’s glory. Like what Christian apologist and author C.S. Lewis said in his book Mere Christianity: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.”
Christianity is not a club where anyone can join by just paying an annual due. Christianity is not being baptized into the Christian faith. Christianity is not being in the Church sanctuary every Sunday. We cannot put a bicycle inside the garage and call it a car. We cannot put icing over a bread and call it a cake. It’s sad, but these are what some people do with Christianity – they do it any which way and feel good about it. (The author can be reached at davecasuco@peryodiko.net)

6.............................
Don’t look for shortcuts to God

Here’s one question I heard over the radio on my way to work recently: “If we were to be tried for being Christians, will there be enough evidence to convict us?”
The honest answer to that question is, “probably not.”
Sad but true, most of us believers do not have clear-cut understanding of the essence of the Christian faith. All we know is that we grow up in a family that goes to Church every Sunday. We make the sign of the cross and we have gone through some required sacraments. Or we can point out that we come from the part of the Philippines where people have not known any religion but Christianity. We call Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Those are the evidences that will point that we are Christians.
The court will say, “Nope. You are not Christians. The evidences presented to the court are all circumstantial. They have nothing to do with Christianity.”
In E. Peterson’s “The New Testament In Contemporary Language” our Lord warns Christians: “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is full flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even do crowds of people do. The way to life – to God – is vigorous and requires total attention.”
And then in Matt. 7:21: “Knowing the correct password – saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance – isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience – doing what my Father wills. I can see it now – at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You are out of here.”
Not enough evidence, that’s why.
Backup to 168 A.D. Polycarp, the well-known Bishop of Smyrna (now Izmar, Turkey) was under trial for his Christian faith. Polycarp studied under the Apostle John and he was the last living link to the twelve Apostles.
The Roman proconsul tried to get Polycarp to deny Jesus Christ: “Bow to the throne of Caesar. Curse Christ and I will release you.”
The old bishop stood his ground. He replied: “Eighty six years I have served the Lord Jesus Christ, and He never once wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
The proconsul threatened Polycarp with hungry wild beasts and burning fire, but Polycarp remained unafraid. He told the proconsul: “You threaten me with fire that will burn for an hour and then will go out, but you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgment of God reserved for the everlasting torment for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Bring on the beasts and the fire, or whatever you choose; you shall not move me to deny Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Before he was burned, Polycarp prayed: “O Father, I thank you, that you have called me to this day and hour and have counted me worthy to received my place among the number of the holy martyrs. Amen.”
The story had it that Polycarp was engulfed by the fire, but did not burn. Those who watched the execution said, “He was in the midst of the fire, not as burning flesh but as gold and silver refined in a furnace. And we smelled such a sweet aroma of incense and some other precious spice.”
The fire did not burn Polycarp, so the executioner had to stab him with a sword. A great amount of blood flowed from the bishop’s body that it put out the fire.
Polycarp was a genuine Christian, a martyr of the faith.
There are still Christian executioners in non-Christian countries around the world, but in America religions, even the funky ones, are protected by the law. Too bad, nowadays our faith cannot be tested by fire.
Fire or no fire, we must persevere to grow in our Christian faith. There has got to be a strong evidence of Christianity in our lives. It is not yet too late to put Christ into our hearts and let Him rule our lives. The Bible says that is the only sure way to face the Great White Throne with complete confidence. With Jesus Christ in our hearts, there is enough evidence to convict us that we are true Christians, like the kindly, old bishop Polycarp.

7............................
Ears that cannot hear

I mentioned to my friend that I might do Christian missionary works in other countries later on.
He responded with a question: “Why do you have to go far away when your relatives and friends here are not yet converted to the Christian faith?”
My answer: “Because I do not want to preach to people with uncircumcised ears. It is a lot more worthwhile to reach out the souls who are hungry for the gospel of the Lord. They need to be told of the good news. And Christians, like us, must bring it to the ends of the world. My unsaved relatives and friends have already been exposed to the gospel quite number of times and they repeatedly refused to embrace the good news. So, much as I wanted to convert them, I leave them as they are — unrepentant, callous and perishing. If they do not open their family bibles that are collecting dust somewhere in their living rooms; if they do not listen to Christian missionaries when they come around for their crusades; if they do not listen to the Christian television and radio programs that are readily available to them most of the time; if they repeatedly turn down invitations to attend bible studies; and if they prefer religion over Jesus the Christ, there is not much I can do about it. Most likely God has not elected them.
There is a passage in the bible that best illustrates this “saving-the-callous” predicament. “The Lord speaking: “There once was a man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man’s table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores.
“Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, “Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I’m in agony in this fire.
“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It’s not like that here. Here he is consoled and you are tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.’
“The rich man said, ‘then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won’t end up here in this place of torment.’
“Abraham answered: ‘They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.’
‘I know, Father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but they are not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.’
“Abraham replied, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they are not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead’ (Luke 16:19-31).”
That’s what I thought. (The author can be reached at davecasuco@peryodiko.net)