TOLERANCE SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED

Acts 17:22-23 

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

After reading that how many of you know that Paul didn't mean this as a compliment? In the Kingdom of God, ignorance is not bliss. Our world has taught us that God wants us to be religious as if that is somehow a good thing, but the truth is this is absolutely FALSE.

In the book of Acts we find that as Paul is traveling and preaching the good news of what the blood of Jesus did for each individual, he finds many cities and people who worship false gods. He calls them RELIGIOUS. This statement should tell us something. God is not looking for a religious people. In fact, He is looking for sons and daughters. We were never created to follow religious rules and regulations. We were created because God wanted a family and wanted us to be with Him. In Paul's travels, many are of course converted and would call themselves Christians, but right away I want to say something that many may feel is controversial but then again 'that's me'.... lol 

I'm greatly concerned that so many are deceived into thinking that just because they know there is a Jesus they are saved. This is absolutely false. Scripture teaches us that we must do more.

Romans 10:9 

if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

So here we see that salvation does not come simply by believing there is a Jesus. No, every person individually must make their own decision to believe in Jesus. They must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. They must confess with their own mouth that Jesus is the Lord of their life. What happens when you do this? God is faithful to His word, so you become saved immediately, but I will take that one step further. Not only are you saved but you won't lose your salvation. I know that statement too is controversial depending on your teaching but let's look at Ephesians 1:13.

Ephesians 1:13

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

So here we find that although we are still fleshly beings who continuously make mistakes God has chosen to seal our salvation. Our spirit is sealed, and God knows full well that our body and soul will take some time to align with what our spirit already knows. God wants us to move beyond just believing there is a Jesus or even just making the confession. He wants us to become disciples, not just converts. Have you ever met someone who said they were a Christian and you thought, "Ummmm, I don't see the fruit of that.' We are not to judge others, but we are to look for fruit in their lives. My point is there is a difference. A convert is simply someone who confessed Jesus and their spirit was then sealed but in order to become a disciple we have to daily walk with Jesus. We must be committed, and we must be willing to renew our minds to the way He does things which oftentimes goes against our flesh and is opposite of the way the world does things. We must learn His voice and talk with Him and even learn to step out in boldness and share the good news of the gospel with those around us even if we will be persecuted for doing so. WHY?

Let me answer that and continue in controversy. Why do I think everything I am saying might be controversial? Because my e-mail list and those who receive my blog/articles are a very diverse group. I have people who receive my e-mails that I don't believe have even accepted Jesus into their lives, and I hope to change that... lol I have people who I believe might be religious minded, but they don't realize it. I'm not judging them, but I am looking for fruit in their lives of living for Christ rather than for self. Let's just say I know that in the body of Christ, religious-minded there is much division, but I have to be true to God and share what He wants me to share so the controversy is actually not mine but His... lol

Let me answer the why? Because our world is steeped in religion which is evil and controlling of all those it touches. It does not lead people to Christ, it leads people to follow rules and regulations that the Leader's themselves cannot keep. Jesus delivered us from all of that. Have you ever wondered why when Jesus started His ministry, he chose 12 average men who were not those deemed Religious Leaders (Pharisees or Sadducees) at all? If God was okay with Religion, why not just have Jesus choose 12 Pharisees to walk with Him? Because it was impossible to use Religion to get the truth of what God was doing out through them. They had become men who were not serving God or His purposes at all. From day one they tried to control everything Jesus did or said. Why did Nicodemus have to meet with Jesus privately? Because religion controls and puts you in a fear of man. There is no freedom in religion. Freedom of Religion is completely different than freedom in religion. Freedom of Religion is God's way of giving us free will and allowing people to freely make up their own minds who they will serve. 

We were once considered a Christian Nation but that is a huge deception today as many who call themselves disciples of Christ are absolutely not. Churches have kicked God and the Holy Spirit out. We have countless churches that don't even believe that Jesus was who He said He was. Countless churches have gone woke and are doing and allowing things that are completely contrary to the word of God. Can I also remind you that it was the religious people in the Bible who killed Jesus? Look up 2 Corinthians 3:6 which clearly tells us that the letter of the law kills but the spirit gives life. Pilate and the Romans have been blamed for killing Jesus, but the truth is he didn't want to. Even Pilate's wife had a dream and she told him to have nothing to do with what the religious leaders wanted to do to Jesus. Who killed Jesus then? It is found in Matthew 27:1.

Matthew 27:1 

When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.

The Religious leaders of the day forced Pilate into it. So, let's put this to rest here and now. No, you will not be saved if you worship a house full of idols rather than putting all that out of your life and committing to an intimate relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. His word tells us that we should have no idols before Him (Exodus 20:4), and no, you will not be saved if you are following false religions as many try to tell you by saying that no matter what god you believe in you will be saved. There is only one God who is the creator of Heaven & Earth. One God who is still alive and one God who died to take away your sins. Let's look at John 14:6.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

So, this tells us quite clearly that if we are following Buddhism, Islam or other religions without Jesus Christ we are following a lie and deception. Now that we are past, yet another controversy let's move into what we should commit to Jesus because I'm still astonished that Paul found that people were so ignorantly willing to follow any other god but the true Creator of Heaven & Earth, that they even erected an altar to an unknown god. 

A TRUE DISCIPLE WILL...

While reading through the book of Acts I found that Paul and others often shared the gospel and guess who it was that most often came against them? In fact, hurt them, heckled them, abused them, and kicked them out of cities or made them want to leave because of the abuse they experienced. It wasn't really the Romans as people would assume. It was the religious Leaders and those who followed them. That religious spirit is still working in our lives, communities, and world today. If we think it all died out in Jesus' day we are deceived. Jesus was gone by the time the Acts of the Apostles were written. By this time, they had the Holy Spirit indwelling which Jesus sent to them when He ascended. The persecution did not stop at Jesus. It continued on and continues on today.

A true disciple will get into the word of God and find out who He really is and what He has done for them.

A true disciple will learn from Jesus' life and teachings that we are blessed to have in the word of God.

A true disciple will take time to worship and praise Him for what He's done and who He is in their lives.

A true disciple will put Him first before even their own parents, spouse, children, career etc...

A true disciple will learn to hear His voice so that they aren't swayed by all the demonic voices in our world.

A true disciple will walk in obedience to the Lord by doing what He says. How? By listening to the Spirit, lining 

it up with the word and most times God will even give you confirmations so that you know it is Him.

Luke 14:23

Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

For countless years as a Christian, I hate to admit it, but I was embarrassed about the gospel. I had a lot of pride when I first got saved 29 years ago. I am telling you this because I believe it could help some of you. I have found that when people share their testimonies the transparency revealed about their lives can help others to see that the issues they face, others have walked through as well. The enemy tries to make you feel it's only you. You are alone so you shouldn't say anything because you'll be embarrassed. Bla, bla, bla! Shut up, Devil. The truth is my husband was always very evangelistic, but early on in our marriage, I found myself off sitting in the car alone while he shared the gospel with people because I worried too much about what people might think. I couldn't handle rejection or persecution and felt that I had already received it from some friends and seen it in my family at times as well. So, I kind of just kept my head down and stayed pretty silent. It's important right here to share a scripture that really helped to change me and teach me the boldness that I needed to share my faith (Jesus).  I am purposely not copying it below because it is my hope that you will move from convert to true disciple and look it up in your own Bible (Read Matthew 10:33). Wait! Hold on! I didn't see you get up... lol Go right now and get your Bible or look it up on Biblegateway.com or you will forget. It honestly could change your life forever. I am just being honest with you. I was one who had been converted but I look back today, and I can honestly say I was definitely not a disciple.

REASON & PERSUADE...

Let's look at a few scriptures to prove my heading here. This is in your Bible. Nowhere does the Bible teach us to hide behind a tree. Nowhere does it teach us that we should be worried about what others think. Nowhere does the Bible teach us that life is just about us while we are saved, and our own family & friends are making a clear path to hell. Will you lose family or friends to follow Christ? YES, don't be shocked about it because you will. I just did a few months ago and in a stunning turn of events, it was 2 of my adult children. I have been transparent about this with you all in a personal blog that I sent out back in November but did not feel I should post it on my public blog for the world to see so it cannot be found there. If you'd like to read it please write me and I will forward it to you. 

What does the Bible actually show us about boldly sharing our faith? I cannot stop just because my kids or anyone gets uncomfortable at times. Here are the scriptures that I found in Acts.

• Acts 18:4

 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

• Acts 19:8 

And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

• Acts 17:17 

Therefore, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

In Acts 17:17 it even tells us that the reasoning happened in the synagogue (in the church) and in the marketplace (while shopping) daily. God wants us to be bold and to learn to reason (which means discuss with people who don't believe like you do). They have also used the word Persuading. Wow! Let's look up this word.

Persuade Definition...

cause (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument:

"it wasn't easy, but I persuaded him to do the right thing

cause (someone) to believe something, especially after a sustained effort; convince:

"he did everything he could to persuade the police that he was the robber" · 

"they must often be persuaded of the potential severity of their drinking problems

(of a situation or event) provide a sound reason for (someone) to do something:

"the cost of the manor's restoration persuaded them to take in guests"

TOLERANCE SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED...

My kids wanted me to tolerate their lifestyle, their movies, music etc... , Somehow being raised in our home they'd become very steeped in the culture of the day but they both came to a place where they refused to tolerate the fact that I love Jesus. I wasn't preaching at or to them. I originally sent my son my emails years ago thinking he'd be supportive of Mom doing it but then stopped because it became obvious, he didn't want them. I wasn't bothering them at all or trying to force them to live a certain way. They are now both adults and my part is to pray and not to control their lives. The Holy Spirit will be the one to change them now not me. It's heartbreaking because I feel like I failed in a huge way, but the Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go and when they are OLD, they will not depart. Why did God say old? Because He is fully aware that at certain stages of our lives, we are extremely prideful and arrogant and may walk away like the Prodigal did for a time. That is why He gave us that story. He was saying, 'don't worry, they'll come to their senses, and they'll come home. Your part is to love and forgive and to run after them welcoming them home remembering that you probably did the same thing when you were that age as well and I forgave you.' 

Can we now see what the word tolerance has done to our society? Tolerance is how they moved God out of our Schools and Government buildings. My kids went to school in a very secular environment. Tolerance is why we have boys in our girls' bathrooms. Tolerance turned our televisions into garbage dumps of lust and pornography rather than good family movies that we could all sit down as a family together and enjoy (try finding them now). Tolerance created generations of kids who spent more time on cell phones and on social media then they did with their families or friends, and many got traumatized doing so. How many teens have committed suicide because someone posted something awful about them and they couldn't handle the rejection or persecution? Tolerance is why our youth today are so confused by their own gender that they refuse to accept that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and a beautiful gift from God created for His purposes. Tolerance has put people with very serious mental issues at the top of every single Mountain of Influence (the 7 Mountains) because we sat back and said it was okay to take prayer out of school. It was okay to remove any and all symbols of the 10 commandments. It was okay to vote in people who never prayed and could care less about what God thought of the world He created. Can we today see our error? Should we all have been more willing to be bolder? Shouldn't we have stood up sooner? How many of us lived under the religious controlling lie that we were supposed to just sit in our little churches and worship there but DO NOT BRING GOD into all the world or open our mouths elsewhere (shopping, schools, politics etc...)? Can we now see why God mandated us to 'go out into all the world and preach the good news and why the world fights it so much?' Let's look up this word.

Mandated Definition...

give (someone) authority to act in a certain way:

"other colleges have mandated coed fraternities"

require (something) to be done; make mandatory:

"the government began mandating better car safety"

NOT EVERYONE WILL HEAR BUT WE STILL GO...

Now that we know that we are mandated where do we go from here? We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it and move forward. Repent. Tell the Lord you are sorry for not being obedient to Him and His word. If you find that you are more worried about what others think of you than you are of what God thinks of you, you must renew your mind and stop allowing the fear of man to control you. Proverbs 29:25a says, the fear of man brings a snare. The fear of man is a controlling religious spirit that not only tries to keep you in bondage but also allows those around you that you say you love to fall right into the pit of hell. In a relationship with Jesus, you will live the rest of Proverbs 29:25b which says, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Will you be rejected? Yes. You will but they are not really rejecting you they are rejecting Jesus. 

I am not talking about becoming an Evangelist. There are specific people called to the office of Evangelist. I'm simply talking about not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ or sharing your faith with others. We are supposed to love our neighbors. We are supposed to be there for others and willing to pray, help and even give. What was the last thing that Jesus said before he ascended? I ALWAYS tell people to read the red. This is our mandate. It isn't just a suggestion. It is our mandate.

Mark 16:15-18

15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].

16 He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.

17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;

18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

SHAKE IT OFF...

What is the answer for the rejection we might experience then dear ones? The Bible clearly tells us in Matthew, Mark, and Acts to shake it off.  We must learn to not take it personally. Shaking it off is important. As I said previously, we need to 'read the red' because if it is red "Jesus Himself said it." Again, it wasn't a suggestion He wants us to share our love for Him and what He did for us through the Cross with others. Are we out here showing off our house to others because we are so proud of how we decorated it? Are we showing people our cars, boats, big screen tv's and boasting about our jobs or careers but finding it hard to share Christ and salvation with our friends and family members? If you are truly born again and have made Jesus Lord of your life so as to not just be a convert but to be a true disciple, I believe you must realize that the most important gift that God has given to us is the blood of Jesus and He did it to be shared with others. Our freedom and redemption are not only important to Him, but we need our minds renewed that God wants those same things to be shared with those around us as well.

Finally, brethren (yes, I do believe that like Paul I am called to be an Apostle and therefore that is why I do what he did and write to you to share Christ and teach you things that I believe God wants you to know). Why do I spend countless hours on this computer writing, blogging, sharing prophetic words, and doing the Prophecy Fulfilled? There have been times when I sat here for 14 hours straight and WOW!!, I could barely move afterward. I do this because I believe I am called to do it. Before anyone goes on tilt with my saying I am called to be an Apostle, I should tell you that I am actually already ordained an Apostle even now and have been for countless years. This blog is yet another way for me to step out and 'shake it off' because it is possible even now that the controlling religious spirit will come in and people may choose after reading this to unsubscribe or reject me because of what I am saying here. Believe me, it has taken me years to accept it myself, but I have finally learned that people aren't really rejecting me. They are rejecting God in me or what God has called me to do. They will come around. My part is obedience to Him. I will not let man or devils stop me. I will let each make up their own minds but what God is teaching me is that the fear of man is a snare, and I will end this by giving you 3 final scriptures that prove what we are to do if people do not receive us, or the ministry that we each believe He has called us to. 

Matthew 10:14

And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

Mark 6:11 

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!”

Acts 18:6b 

But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Sheryl York

America-Reimagined-Sheryl@proton.me