Category Archives: Larry the Lubber

Larry the Lubber

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Are Government Officials Perverting Scripture to Push Their Hidden Agenda?

Larry the Lubber

Larry the LubberLarry the Lubber

The opinions of Larry the Lubber doth not necessarily reflect the views of this pirate’s crew — mostly because Larry is a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone — even when he is right. – Staff

Of late, we must turn our attention to a matter most profound and gravely significant—one that involves the misapplication of sacred Scripture by a rather lofty individual in the halls of governance. The passage from Luke, in its divine eloquence on the life of John the Baptizer, speaks thus:

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

This passage is a resplendent declaration of John the Baptist’s sacred mission—preparing the way for Jesus Christ.

Yet, what a spectacle it is to observe a high-ranking government official of that upstart nation of renegade colonies invoking this passage to endorse a vision—not in Christ—but in governance.

“The Gospel of Luke tells us faith has the power to shine a light on those living in darkness and to guide our feet in the path of Peace. In moments such as this Faith guides us forward faith in the promise of America.”

Matthew 24:24: Jesus warns, “For false prophets will arise to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”

As if a nation governed by a people too foolish to grasp the importance of true governance could ever select a worthy leader. Let any who disparage the Crown submit a more noble leader than our Queen Margaret or Victoria. Why, even King George IV ruled the United Kingdom with grace and nobility on those days when he tolerated sobriety.

The proclamation uttered by this government official amongst laity and leaders of a religious institution, no less—and under the guise of faith—is nothing short of blasphemy.

Let us not forget the solemn warning of Matthew 24:24, where Jesus foretells of false prophets who shall arise to mislead, if it were possible, even the very elect. Indeed, Revelation 13:11-14 elaborates on the ‘false prophet,’ who, akin to a masterful deceiver, compels the worship of a beastly entity—an embodiment of governmental or cultural powers. This ‘false prophet’ operates in a duplicitous capacity, inducing allegiance to state or governmental authorities, much like the deceptive nature attributed to the second beast in the Revelation narrative.

And now, it seems such reprobates have arisen to such lofty office that they have no shame in their boastful perversion of Scripture. May the Lord judge them, and in His day, He shall, for every utterance and reckless word will be called into account.

The gravity of such a misapplication is not to be underestimated. When Scripture, which was divinely birthed and intended to illuminate and guide toward faith in Christ, is instead repurposed to bolster faith in governmental institutions, the result is nothing short of sacrilege.

While I shall refrain from direct accusations, it is indeed worth noting that employing such sacred passages to prop up secular authority rather than the divine Truth is a matter of great concern—not only for those wayward colonies across the pond but among those of us more civilized. The divine intent of these prophetic words—originally referring to John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus—has been, most regrettably, misapplied.

Thus, one must ponder deeply upon the nature of such applications and consider whether they reflect the true ignorance of peasants pretending to be national leaders or the first hints that something more sinister is afoot. Dare I say, are we but one open seal away from the coming wrath of our Lord?

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The Dangers and Antidote of Ignoring Your True Purpose

The Shocking Truth About Our Sin-Filled Culture

Larry the LubberLarry the Lubber

The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber on the climate of our culture doth not necessarily reflect the views of this pirate’s crew — mostly because Larry be a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone — even when he be right. – Staff

Dear chaps, it is with great glee that I bring to your attention the deplorable state of today’s culture—a veritable quagmire of wickedness and sin infiltrating every conceivable aspect of society. I must confess, I derive a certain satisfaction from highlighting the many flaws of others, delighting in the miserable state of their souls, all while basking in the brilliance of my impeccable virtue. It is, after all, a rare pleasure to witness the downfall of so many while I stand so impeccably glorious. In some ways, I suppose the great sea captain Noah felt much the same as he entered the Ark.

The evidence, as presented by the most reputable statistics, paints an utterly bleak tableau of the moral collapse of cultures across all continents.

Consider, if you will, the relentless ascent of violent crime wreaking havoc upon our once-civilized environs, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake through murder, assault, and domestic violence. Or the unlawful, unbridled, and often violent protests that prevent the sane and restrained from going about their business. Substance abuse, yet another manifestation of sin’s stranglehold, tears families asunder, increases the unfortunate tally of overdose fatalities and imposes long-lasting afflictions on both individuals and communities alike.

The disintegration of familial structures—highlighted by the alarming surge in divorce rates and the normalization of infidelity and perversions of such an unnatural nature that they dare not be discussed in proper company—leaves behind deep emotional wounds, perpetuating an endless cycle of misery and dysfunction across generations.

Consider the rise in homelessness and the failure of the so-called “church” to act. While many argue that economic disparity, addiction, and mental health struggles are the root causes of the problem, the truth is evident: those with wealth have no desire to live near or even see the poor. They refuse to hire individuals with a criminal record or provide even a pound or pence to house them in the most humble of lodgings. These harsh realities expose society’s shameful neglect of the most vulnerable and a shocking disregard for our shared responsibility.

I dare even to mention the regrettable increase in the disturbing drift from the sanctity of life, laden with grave moral and ethical consequences — and yet I shall. It is quite the travesty that so many treat unborn souls as mere inconveniences, dismissing their inherent rights as persons. To deliberately snuff out the life of an innocent bearer of the divine image of our Maker is an act of grave moral offense. Far from a commendable display of personal empowerment, the disregard for the discarded life of a human is the very thing our Maker warns against. Leviticus 18:21 warns that none shall allow any of their offspring to be sacrificed or associated with child sacrifice. To suggest otherwise is to flirt with moral and spiritual ruin.

And yet, despite these irrefutable realities, an alarming number of individuals remain either blissfully unaware of the concept of righteousness or, even more distressingly, utterly indifferent to its pursuit. They foolishly believe themselves to be perfectly adequate and socially acceptable, adhering to their dubious standards while actively promoting the decay of moral relativism, which has led to such a decadent society. Such ignorance or indifference toward living in alignment with the way Man was created and prescribed is, I dare say, profoundly perilous, as it not only harms individuals but also steadily erodes the very fabric of society itself.

Make no mistake: the righteousness of our Maker is not merely a lofty religious or moral ideal. It is, in fact, an indispensable prerequisite for a thriving and orderly society. When righteousness is discarded, we are left with a culture characterized by selfishness, avarice, and malice. In stark contrast, embracing righteousness fosters justice, peace, and the common good, cultivating communities where individuals can genuinely flourish rather than merely scrape by.

With such a dire forecast of the future, picture the Son of God addressing you with deep urgency, revealing the dire state of your soul and the critical need for His righteousness.

Jesus Whispers …

Without my righteousness, your standing before my Father is separation and guilt. Truly, I tell you, everyone falls short of Our perfect standards (Romans 3:23).

Sin creates a barrier between you and my Father (Isaiah 59:2). Instead of acceptance, this leads to fear, guilt, shame, and condemnation (Romans 6:23). Though you may not acknowledge this truth, you know it in your heart. After sin entered the world, my Father sought out Adam and found him naked, hiding, and blaming Eve and my Father for his condition. Sin tempts you to blame others for your situation. All such feelings and actions spring from this divide between you and my Father.

You cannot meet my Father’s standards of holiness and righteousness (Ephesians 2:1). This is good news, for if your standards were my Father’s, then the life He means for you to live would be unbearable. You were not created for such low standards. My Father created you to be exalted and to rule over creation with Him.

You were made to reflect His image, representing His character, holiness, and love.

You were meant to create, be a steward, live in faith, expect excellence, be fruitful, increase, and enjoy all He made.

You have inherent dignity and worth. You are meant for joy, peace, and contentment.

Those who receive my righteousness will reign with Us, just as my Father intended, for when His word goes forth, it always accomplishes its purpose.

Without my righteousness, you cannot stand before my Father (Romans 3:20). There is a day when all will stand before Him. Those who stand in their righteousness will be on their knees, quaking with fear. The gap between your imperfection and my Father’s perfection is greater than the expanse of the universe. That’s why I came and died for you. I make you right and perfect before my Father. When He sees you, He sees me, and because He loves me, He loves those in me.

My righteousness is a gift. You cannot earn it or improve upon it. Those who try are acknowledging that they do not believe my righteousness is enough.

In my righteousness, you are declared righteous in my Father’s eyes, and all your sins are removed and forgotten. My Father will not recount all your sins. You will stand before Him to give an account of your works, but your sins are cast as far away as the East is from the West.

In my righteousness, you live righteously. You grow in holiness and reflect my character. Living in my righteousness is evidence that you are in me, and I am in you.

In my righteousness, you follow my Father’s commands and live according to His will. You love His word, for I am His word. If you love me, you will come to love my word, for you will find that all my Father’s word is life and health and the source of every good thing you desire.

With my righteousness, you are fully restored. As it was in the Garden, so it is now for those who are in me. You are restored to a close, personal relationship with my Father, similar to the fellowship Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden before they learned of good and evil. This restored, promised eternal life with my Father surpasses the temporary state the first man enjoyed and includes living in perfect harmony with Us.

Unlike the first man, you have my Holy Spirit living in you. My Spirit reflects my Father’s character and holy nature. You are set free from sin, but you still have free will. You can choose sin if you wish, but now you know the consequences of sin.

With my Holy Spirit, you live righteously and follow my Father’s commands. Will you chose me? Or will you continue to trust that your in your man-made righteousness?  A day is coming and soon when your choice will matter for all eternity.

 

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Sent Into the Storm To Receive a Blessing

The Storm Before the Calm

Lubber OpinionLarry the Lubber

The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber do not necessarily reflect the views of the crew — mostly because Larry is a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone, even when he is right — which is ter often. – Staff

A good while after healing a fellow by the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (“house of mercy” or “house of grace” and could also mean “house of shame” or “house of disgrace”), Jesus took the disciples with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida — which means “house of the fisherman / hunter.”

While there, Jesus fed 5000 men, plus women and children. The writer John makes an interesting comment prior to this feeding.

Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When Jesus looked up, he saw a large crowd coming towards him. (John 6:4)

John, rather curiously, never revisits his mention of the Passover, offering no further clarification as to why he introduced this detail. What we are left with is the knowledge that, following the first Passover, when the Jews departed Egypt on their way to the Promised Land, God provided them with manna—”daily bread”—in abundance each day. In a similar vein, Jesus fed the multitude with five barley loaves, miraculously multiplying the bread so that everyone was satisfied. After the feast, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered—a poignant reminder of the twelve tribes journeying toward their promised inheritance.

While Jesus dismissed the crowd, he instructed the disciples to board a boat and proceed to Capernaum. Following their departure, Jesus withdrew to a mountainside to pray alone. This was a time of mourning for him, having recently grieved the death of his cousin, John the Baptist. The crowd and the act of feeding them had interrupted his period of deep lamentation and prayer. Later that night, while the boat was adrift in the middle of the lake, Jesus remained on the shore.

As evening fell, a fierce wind stirred the waters into turbulence. From his vantage point on the mountain, Jesus observed the disciples struggling against the wind as they battled their way westward.

Just before dawn, Jesus approached them, walking on the lake. Despite having rowed three or four miles, the disciples saw him advancing on the water.

Consider this for a moment: following the Passover and the Jews’ flight from Egypt, they found themselves ensnared between the advancing Egyptian army and the Reed Sea. Yet, God parted the waters, allowing them to traverse the sea on dry ground. When the Egyptians pursued, the waters returned and engulfed them. Now, Jesus walks upon the water as if it were dry land. When John mentions that the Passover was near, he might have intended for readers to reflect on God’s provision—how He made a path through the sea and sustained His people with manna.

To bolster our faith, Jesus sometimes sends us into tempestuous situations where the outcome seems unattainable. Such was the case for his disciples: cast into a storm, they feared for their lives. And what did they behold approaching them?

Frightened, and with Jesus about to pass them by, they called out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus replied, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter said, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

Bid me come to you. This, my dear friends, is a most fitting plea when one finds oneself in dire straits—when lives are on the line and a miracle is the only hope.

“Come,” Jesus said.

Then Peter departed the boat, walked upon the water, and approached Jesus. Of all mankind’s feats—traversing vast seas, scaling towering mountains, exploring uncharted lands—none surpasses the marvel of walking on water. Aside from Jesus, Peter alone achieved this extraordinary blessing.

But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. Beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Some interpret these words as a rebuke, yet could it not be that Jesus was complimenting Peter? A small measure of faith can serve as the foundation for greater faith. Perhaps Jesus was saying to Peter—and to us—”You have faith. Why do you doubt?”

Then they welcomed Jesus into the boat. As soon as he was aboard, the wind ceased. At this juncture, John Mark adds a noteworthy observation:

They were completely amazed for their hearts were hardened and they had not understood about the loaves. (Mark 6:52)

Five loaves turned into a feast for thousands, water became a path to the Son of Man, and a storm was instantly stilled. What are we longing for today? What barriers obstruct our approach to Jesus? What blessings might he be offering us amid our current trials? Where do we need his calm, peace, and protection in the face of harsh circumstances?

Those in the boat worshipped him, declaring, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” Immediately, they reached the shore of Capernaum, the Plain of Gennesaret, and anchored.

The crowd remaining on the opposite shore realized only one boat had been present, and that Jesus had not boarded it with his disciples. The disciples had departed alone. Boats from Tiberias arrived near the spot where the people had eaten the bread (Bethsaida) after the Lord had given thanks. When the crowd discovered that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they embarked on boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. As soon as they disembarked, they recognized him.

Peter took a grave risk when he stepped from the boat—he might have drowned. Indeed, when he focused on the storm rather than Jesus, he did sink. Peter risked everything to approach Jesus. Will we?

Consider that today’s storm might be sent by Jesus to bolster our faith, reveal a grander vision of his power and glory, and lead us into a life of miracles.

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Paul’s “Thorn In My Flesh”

The Most Misunderstood and Twisted Passage in Scripture

Lubber OpinionLarry the Lubber

The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber doth not necessarily reflect the views of this pirate’s crew — mostly because Larry be a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone — even when he be right. – Staff

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God says to us:

“Remember, Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, that Satan’s servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.”

Paul rather subtly mentioned that fourteen years before penning his epistle to the Corinthians, a certain individual was elevated to the third heavenly realm. Though he demurs from naming this individual, the context suggests he speaks of none other than himself.

During his first missionary venture to Iconium, Paul suffered a grievous assault, being stoned and left for dead. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that before this harrowing episode, he might have endured another severe beating, a brutal encounter with a wild beast, or some other life-threatening ordeal, leading to a near-death experience.

Whether in the body or out of it, Paul was transported to paradise, where he encountered inexpressible revelations—insights so profound that he was commanded to withhold them from others.

In our time, numerous individuals enthusiastically recount their purported experiences of glimpsing heaven upon returning from the brink of death. However, for Paul, the Lord explicitly enjoined him to remain silent, refraining from divulging a single word.

This could, perhaps, serve as a cautionary lesson for us in this, the Lord’s admonition to Paul.

Let no one take me for a fool. My concern is for all the churches. Who among you is weak, and I do not myself feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I myself do not inwardly burn with sin?

I could boast of the surpassingly great revelations I saw, but instead I will gladly boast in my weakness for you in order that Christ’s power may rest on me. For I do not wish for anyone to think more highly of me than is warranted. Even if I should boast, I would be speaking the truth.

To keep me humble, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, an angel of Satan—a messenger of Satan to torment me.

My brothers, I remind you, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I know what is written in the Law and the Prophets and I remind you of how in the past others became “thorns in the flesh” to my people.

“Because you have disobeyed me, I will not drive out your enemies before you. They will be thorns in your sides. Their gods will be a snare to you.” (Judges 2:3) Are we not becoming ensnared by the lies of these false apostles?

“Because you allied yourself with the nations around you, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes.” (Joshua 23:13) Are we not even now blinded by those masquerading as light?

“Because you did not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allowed to remain became barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They gave you trouble.” (Numbers 33:55) Am we not now troubled by those deceitful workmen who preach the gospel for profit?

Paul goes onto explain:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take away the “thorn in my flesh.” But Christ said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness for you, in order that Christ’s power may rest on me. For the sake of my Lord, I delight in insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties, and yes, even in my weakness for all the churches.

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. With regard to the gospel, he and Hymenaeushave shipwreck their faith. I have handed both over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (2 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 1:19-20)

Since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me, on my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others. Chris is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

If I have made a fool of myself, you drove me to it.
2 Corinthians 11-13, Acts 22:3

Twice, the illustrious Paul is depicted performing acts of healing upon others, a testament to his divine mission. Yet, curiously, only once do we encounter any mention of Paul grappling with an ailment of his own. It is speculated, perhaps with merit, that Paul suffered from poor eyesight—an unfortunate consequence of having one’s head pelted with rocks during a stoning. However, let us be clear: only in the rarest of circumstances, such as blindness, is poor eyesight denoted as an affliction (Galatians 4:15, Galatians 6:11). Thus, we find ourselves pondering the true nature of Paul’s so-called infirmities.

God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. (Acts 19:11-12)

“You know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.” (Galatians 4:13)

And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. (Acts 28:8)

Should it be the case that Paul indeed endured physical suffering, let us embark upon a thorough examination of the matter. We shall scrutinize the cause, the symptoms, the nature of his condition, and the ultimate outcome of his so-called affliction.

Cause: “To keep me from becoming exalted by God due to the revelations received.”
Symptoms: “weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties”
Condition: “torment”
Outcome: “delight, weakness”

Judge for yourself whether you can identify a physical ailment wrought by a prideful and vain disposition—one that engenders significant tribulations, persecutions, hardships, insults, and weaknesses, leaving one feeling tormented yet inexplicably delighted. Does this describe your malady? If not, might it be prudent to consider that when Paul spoke of a “thorn in my flesh,” he was alluding to the relentless presence of those who mock and scorn us? In Christ, we possess sufficient grace to disregard their jabs without retaliating. Instead, let us offer prayers for those who afflict us.

Use of the Word Angel in the New Testament

Only in 2 Corinthians 12:7 “a messenger of Satan” is ἄγγελος (angelos) translated “messenger.” In all other cases the word is translated as angel. Never in Scripture is ἄγγελος used to reference a physical affliction.

Matthew 1:20
Matthew 1:24
Matthew 2:13
Matthew 2:19
Matthew 28:2
Matthew 28:5
Luke 1:11
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:19
Luke 1:26
Luke 1:30
Luke 1:35
Luke 1:38
Luke 2:9
Luke 2:10
Luke 22:43
John 5:4
John 12:29
Acts 5:19
Acts 7:30
Acts 8:26
Acts 10:7
Acts 12:7
Acts 12:8
Acts 12:10
Acts 12:15
Acts 12:23
Acts 23:9
Acts 27:23
(Only in 2 Corinthians 12:7 is this word translated “messenger”)
GRK: τῇ σαρκί ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ ἵνα
NAS: in the flesh, a messenger of Satan
KJV: in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
INT: for the flesh a messenger of Satan that
Galatians 1:8
Galatians 4:14
Revelation 8:3
Revelation 8:5
Revelation 8:8
Revelation 8:10
Revelation 8:12
Revelation 9:1
Revelation 9:13
Revelation 10:5
Revelation 11:15
Revelation 14:8
Revelation 14:9
Revelation 14:15
Revelation 14:17
Revelation 14:18
Revelation 14:19
Revelation 17:7
Revelation 18:21

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Korah’s Rebels Among Us

Separate Yourselves and Be Holy

Lubber OpinionLarry the Lubber

The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber do not necessarily reflect the views of the crew — mostly because Larry is a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone, even when he is right — which is ter often. – Staff

Judas (Jude), the brother of James and slave of Jesus the Anointed One warns, “Certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our Father into a license to practice immorality and deny our blessed Anointed One, our only Sovereign and Lord. I remind you that at one time our Father delivered his people, but later 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders, were appointed members of the council. They rose up and came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron. ‘The whole community is holy,’ they said, ‘every one of us. The Lord is with us!’

But our Maker replied, ‘The Lord will show who belongs to me and who is holy. Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them.’

Though you already know this, I remind you of a most sobering historical event—when fire issued forth from the Lord and consumed the 250 men involved in Korah’s rebellion. This cataclysmic judgment serves as an enduring warning.

For the spirit of Korah, that audacious spirit of rebellion, lurks among us even now. Indeed, there are those who partake in our love feasts, our Lord’s table, with an untroubled conscience. They are blemishes upon our gatherings—self-serving shepherds who care only for their own gratification.

If our Father could command the earth to open and swallow whole families—men, women, children, and infants—how, I ask, will He regard those among us who show such flagrant contempt for His holiness? Should we not distance ourselves from those who, with no fear or reverence for our Father, amass followers to challenge His authority?

Thus, in firm concord with Judas, the brother of our Lord, and the esteemed Apostle Paul, let us extricate ourselves from these rebellious elements who distort the grace of our Father into a mere pretext for immorality. Let us strive to be holy, as our Lord Jesus is holy.

Jude 1:4-11, Numbers 16:5, 20, 35, Corinthians 6:17, Isaiah 52:11

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The Pope, the Pharisees, and the Question: “Who Is a Child of God?”

Be Baptized with the Spirit of Christ So as to Stop Speaking Lies

Lubber OpinionLarry the Lubber

The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber do not necessarily reflect the views of the crew — mostly because Larry is a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone, even when he is right — which is ter often. – Staff

“VATICAN CITY (AP News) Jan 26, 2023 — In a recent interview, Pope Francis said,  “We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are.”

How charming. But let’s not get carried away with such sentimental musings. The real question is, does God truly love us just as we are? Are we all His children, no matter how we live? Or do the words of Jesus, “Repent and believe the good news!” still echo across the ages, demanding a response from each of us?

The Pope’s statement seems to show a rather fluffy understanding of humanity’s sin and our need for a savior. One might say it aligns more with the Pharisees’ self-assured proclamations who indignantly declared to Jesus, “We are not illegitimate children; the only Father we have is God himself”?

Ah, but many a church today would have you believe this same notion—that we are all God’s children. But is it true, or is it just another comfortable lie we tell ourselves to avoid the truth of God’s word?

“We are all children of God.” – Darryl W. Stephens, director of United Methodist studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

“We believe that all people are children of God.” – Collister United Methodist Church.

“Everyone is a child of god,” Becky Hall, Executive Director of Christ United Methodist Church in Chattanooga and a delegate to the UMC Conference.

“Seabold United Methodist Church believes that everyone is a child of God.”

But What Does Jesus Say to the Pharisees . . . And to Us?

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

“This is eternal life: that they may know the only true God. I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They have obeyed your word. I am not praying for the world. Rather, I pray for those you have given me, for they are yours. They are not of this world even as I am not of the world. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 8:40-44,17:3, 6, 9, 14, 16, 20)

These are certainly not the words of a savior who subscribes to the notion that everyone in the world is a child of God. So then, who exactly are the children of God? Jesus makes it quite clear, does He not?

(Matthew 13:38-39) “The field is the world and the good seed are the children of the Kingdom. The darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy, the devil, sowed the bad seed. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.”

(Matthew 25:31-33) “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

(Matthew 13:47-50) “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

If everyone were indeed a child of God, there would be no distinction between a good or bad harvest, no separation of good or bad fish. God is holy, after all, and His children are made righteous through life in Jesus.

What Do the Gospel Writers Say?

(John 1:12) To all who did receive Jesus, to those who believed in his name, Jesus gave the right to become children of God.

(Philippians 2:14-15) Be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Hold fast to the word of life.

(Ephesians 1:5) God predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.

(Galatians 3:26) In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

(Romans 8:14-17) All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have received a spirit of adoption as sons. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

Ah, how quaint it is to declare that we are all children of God, as if such a sentiment were the pinnacle of enlightened thought. Yet, if this were indeed the case, one might wonder why the arrival and agonizing death of Jesus were deemed necessary. If we were all, in fact, children of God, then surely His suffering and resurrection would be rendered utterly superfluous. But, as Jesus and the Word of God make unequivocally clear, we are not born into the kingdom of heaven. Only through Jesus may one hope to gain entry.

Therefore, I implore you to confess your sins with earnestness. Request Christ to be your savior, and hold fast to that belief. Undergo baptism with water as a public declaration of your newfound status as a child of God. And, most crucially, be baptized with the Spirit of Christ, so that you might be transformed into His likeness. This, indeed, is the very fulfillment of Jesus’ mandate: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all I have commanded you.“—a directive that, I dare say, even the most esteemed of church leaders and denominations would be wise to heed.