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John 16,2 They shall put you out of the
synagoges. Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think
that he doeth God service.
RELIGIOUS FANATICISM
Lying on the side of the road is a beaten up, robbed, and half dead
HUMAN. The thieves have fled. A priest comes along on the same road,
and also later on a levite. Both of them see the severely wounded man
lying there, but one like the other, they continue on their way. Fortunately
for the injured man, a Samaritan comes along (the Samaritans were despised
by society) He sees what has taken place and straight away takes action;
he binds and treats the wounds, brings the casualty into an inn, pays
the costs for him and goes on his way. Read Luke 10,25-37 What is Jesus
trying to say through this parable? It is very simple! A religion is
useless if:
(a) the love of God for your neighbour is missing.
(b) compassion is talked about but not practised.
The people from Samaria were hated by the general public, and priests
just like the levites, shared the same contempt. Their attitude reveals
that they still had not grasped the basic principle taught by God of
"Loving your neighbour as yourself." The way in which they
served God was all for nothing, for such people are only serving themselves.
Concealed behind the cries of "In the name of God" and "Holy
war", are those who want to justify their deaths and murders. It
is the same spirit of the Middle Ages (Crusades), with the same empty
promises: "Then you will all get to heaven" whereby they lure
the people for their own purposes. They think that they are doing God
a favour.
Jesus also says in Matthew 26,52: "...for all they that take
the sword shall perish with the sword." It is a warning for
all fanatics, no matter which religion or faith. In the revelation of
John 21,8, the judgement and end of such servants, who think that they
are pleasing God when they kill people is described. It looks like,
that the devil always finds a dumb one who helps him.
God's word means what it says. There is no other saviour apart from
Jesus Christ. Therefore, Jesus says: "I am the Way, the Truth
and the Life." It does not matter which nationality you are
each person needs Jesus of Nazareth to be saved; otherwise, he or she
will die in their sins. The sacrifice which Jesus made on the cross
at Calvary is complete. He paid the price with his life.
Jesus is coming again, for us as a redeemer, but for them as their judge.
Blessed is the one who is obedient to the gospel. But woe to the others.
(rw)